This is a conclusion to the Feb. 22, Real Deal column, “A Poker Tournament for the Ages.”
The very next hand Mike went all-in with 10-9 suited against Steve’s A-5. The flop was Q-J-7. The turn was a blank, but Mike hit an 8 on the river for a straight to survive again.
The subsequent hand Mike pushed all-in again. This time his pocket tens went against Steve’s A-K. Mike again won the coin toss when Steve could not help.
Mike worked his way to a small chip lead with 2.7 million and the blinds now at 100K/200K. However, Steve reclaimed the lead when his pocket Aces beat Mike’s pocket 9s. The next hand Mike went all-in with A-6 against Steve’s A-Q of hearts. The flop was J-J-4 with two hearts. Steve was a 4-1 favorite to win right here. However, Mike got another split when the 4 of diamonds fell on the turn and the K of diamonds fell on the river.
Next, Mike took 7-2, the worst hand in poker, and ironed out one of the best hands A-Q, when final board was K-9-7-4-5. Mike again had the chip lead.
Two hands later Steve went all-in with A-7 and was called by Mike’s A-3. Another split pot occurred when the board ended up 5-5-2-J-T. On the very next hand, Mike moved all-in with Q-Q and was immediately call by Steve’s pocket Kings. The flop was Q-J-7, and when the turn was a five and the river a deuce, Houdini Mike had pulled off one of the most amazing wins ever.
