A massive cooler took place today at the 2026 Potomac Summer Poker Open in Maryland, one that saw three players all in with the three strongest starting hands in Texas Hold’em.
The aces versus kings versus queens confrontation took place during $400 40/40, a two-day event with a $40,000 guaranteed prize pool. It was a dream spot for Izzy Einsidler, the player with the aces, but a scary turn card had him sweating.
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Massive Cooler at Potomac Summer Poker Open
With blinds of 500/1,000/1,000, Henry Black opened to 2,000 in the hijack before Einsidler, a Virginia grinder with $25,491 looked down at aces on the button and three-bet to 6,500.
But the action was just starting as George Karmires then four-bet shipped his stack in the small blind. Black then re-jammed and Einsidler, the shortest stack, wasn’t going anywhere with his pocket rockets.
Izzy Einsidler: A♠A♥
Henry Black: K♣K♦
George Karmires: Q♦Q♣
It was the perfect spot for Einsidler and he only improved as the flop landed A♦3♣J♣ to give him a set. But the 7♣ turn gave Black a chance to deliver the suckout of a lifetime with a draw to a flush. Luckily for Einsidler, a safe 2♥ river landed to secure him the triple up.
Karmires had stood up and put on his backpack prior to the runout, but the backpack trick didn’t work this time around and he was eliminated from the event shortly after.
Meanwhile, Einsidler expressed his gratitude about dodging the river.
“If a club would’ve come on the river, it would’ve ruined my day.”
Elsewhere in the poker room, the $3,000 Main Event reached its final two tables, with online qualifier Casey Hatmaker in contention to make his second straight Potomac Main Event final table. The Potomac Summer Poker Open will wrap up on Monday.
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Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.