In poker circles there is an entire other language spoken by the initiated. Words like “big slick”, “straddle”, and “repop” are tossed around. During the 2009 NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship there was a fine example of what was meant by the phrase “action flop.”
It was Huck Seed and Sammy Farha at the featured table, and Vanessa Rousso and Bertrand “Elky” Grospeillier at a second table in the semi final round, with the action fo this hand focused on the two seasoned veterans.
Huck was first to act and he limped in with Th and 5h. Sammy checked his option with:
Both players were looking to catch a piece of the flop, and both would.
The Flop hit:
This is what they call an action flop – both players got a significant part of the flop, and that would bring out both of them firing chips trying to take it down. In Huck’s case he flopped two pair and was way out ahead – but should Sammy spike a card he needed for a straight, he would be in the lead and well disguised.
Sammy checked, Huck bet $6k, and Sammy called.
The Turn hit:
just what Sammy needed for the straight. He bet $12k, and Huck called.
The River hit:
and now Sammy put out $35k. Huck had to think it down – with that 8 on the board it made it more likely that Sammy did have the straight. In the end he called.
