Sometimes it is a mistake to underplay a strong hand, but then other times it can make a pro poker player a lot of money. The trick is really knowing your opponent and what they are likely to do in a particular situation. In this hand we see one pro expertly play another.
It was the final table at the Season Seven World Poker Tour Legend of Poker, played at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles and only two players were left; John Pham and Amit Makhija.
Amit had:
and he completed from the small blind and dealer button, just limiping in. John had:
and was happy to check his option to bet for the free cards.
The Flop was:
giving John top pair. He checked, however, looking weak. Amit, a very aggressive player, bet out $250k in tourney chips. John smoothly called.
The Turn came:
and John now took the lead betting out $500k. Amit called this time, having just made a pair.
The River hit:
This was bad for Amit because it made it even less likely that John was holding a jack in the pocket. Thus when John bet out $1.5 million, Amit made the call and lost.
