Poker After Dark - TJ Knows

  Only three players were left at the table, while host Shana Hiatt looked on. It was Poker After Dark, the NBC late night poker show that each week had a special theme. This time all six players were among the only 12 living that had five or more World Series of Poker bracelets, and only Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, and T.J. Cloutier were left to compete for the $120k winner take all prize.  As the chip leader, Cloutier watched as Phil limped in pre flop with: ... and then checked his own option with: ... hoping to catch something on the flop. He did, as the flop came: ... but mid pair wasn't much. He checked, as did Phil, and it was time for the turn. The turn came: ... and Phil bet out $2,500 in cash. TJ is normally a pretty tight player, but he knows how to play against Phil, so he called. It was a smart call, too, as the river came: ... giving him two pair - pair of Jacks and pair of nines.  Both players checked, and TJ took down the pot. It is interesting to note that TJ did not bet on the end. This, again, comes from a combination of his own style, which is cautious, and his understanding of his opponent. Was it someone else, he may have folded when his opponent bet on the turn, but he knew he should stick it out. But his caution kicked in at the end, and he elected to take the money rather than to risk loosing a lot more.