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World Poker Open - A Paper Tiger

By launchpoker, Jul 21, 2008

  There is a concept called "Paper Tiger" that refers to something that appears fierce - or wants to appear fierce - but is instead completely harmless. During the final table play of the World Poker Tour World Poker Open, played at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, the pros witnessed an amateur player being a Paper Tiger.



  Gavin Smith, Scotty Nguyen, An "The Boss" Tran, and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi were the big name pros at the table. Also there were a fellow pro, but not very well known and speaking little English (hailing from Spain) Raul Paez and Bau "The Tiger" Le, an amateur. These two lesser known players got mixed up in two back to back hands that showed the Tiger to be made of paper.



  During the first hand Bau tried a fancy raise from the small blind with:






... to $94k. When Raul came over the top to $294k holding:






... there was little Le could do but fold, which he did.



  During the second hand Bau said, "Let's try this again" and raised to $104k, but this time he had a hand:






... Raul again re-popped it to $300k with:






... When Bau moved all in, Raul called. The flop hurt the Tiger. It came:







... and now he was behind. When the turn hit:





... Le needed a ten or a diamond. The river was:





... sending the Tiger home in sixth place with a $88k payday.