What will likely be remembered as one of the craziest bluffs in World Series of Poker (WSOP) history took place during heads-up play in Event #34: $2,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em.
The vintage hand, reminiscent of poker’s loose-aggressive glory days in the 2000s, involved Antonio Galiana and Johan Guilbert, who are both battling for their first bracelet and $439,395. It featured a flush on the board and a fourth river raise from a player with nothing but seven-high. It is truly a hand that must be witnessed to comprehend.
Thankfully, the hand took place on the PokerGO stream and was also captured by PokerNews live reporter and longtime NFL beat reporter Herbie Teope.
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River Battle for the Ages
The crazy hand between Guilbert and Galiana started off innocently enough.
Guilbert, who had J♠2♦, and Galiana, who had 7♠5♥, checked down on a flop of 10♣6♣3♣. They repeated the action after 8♣ appeared on the turn.
But buckle in, folks, because the 2♣ brought a flush on the board and plenty of fireworks in what would’ve been a chopped pot if both players tabled their hands without betting.
The two players clearly had other ideas, though.
Galiana led out with a 900,000 bet, which Guilbert pondered. After a brief moment, Guilbert came over the top with a 1,950,000 raise.
Galiana went in the tank, studying the board and his opponent as time moved on. He then reached into his chip stack and announced a re-raise to 6,300,000.
That clearly wasn’t enough to end the action because it was Guilbert’s time to shine.
“I can’t fathom him pulling the trigger and clicking it back,” said commentator Brent Hanks. “This would be one of the sickest plays we have ever seen.”
Guilbert went back in the tank, and then grabbed a full barrel of 500,000 chips before moving it forward for a re-raise of 10,000,000.
End of hand? Hardly.
Galiana, who was leaning forward in his seat and shuffling chips in his right hand, then announced an all-in bet, which drew an immediate fold from Guilbert.
Galiana slammed his cards face up, showing the 7♠5♥, on the table in triumph. Guilbert tapped the table in defeat and later told him “nice hand.”
To the victor belongs the spoils. And in this battle of wills, Galiana stood tall.
“The final level of that game has been reached!” said Jeff Platt. “That’s one of the best bluffs in World Series of Poker (WSOP) history.”