The Online Railbird Report: Griffin Bests Hastings and Sahamies; Boukai Overs “DrugsOrMe”
The action since Tuesday hasn’t been characterized by million-dollar swings or record-setting pots, but there has still been plenty of action. Rami “Arbianight” Boukai, who’s activity has risen ever since August, continued to do well by besting “DrugsOrMe,” who had a impressive outing the previous week; consequently, it was Boukai who became the biggest winner over the past few days with $242,920.20. The Pot Limit Omaha action kept things interesting, especially a three-way battle between three of online poker’s most well-known players, with one of them becoming the biggest loser over the past three days.
“theASHMAN103,” Brian Hastings, and “Ziigmund” Do Battle
A large pot developed at the $300/$600 PLO tables on Full Tilt Poker between Brian Hastings, Ilari “Ziigmund” Sahamies, and Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin. The pot began when Griffin ($123,432) was under the gun and raised to $1,800. Sahamies ($65,176.50) raised to $6,300 from the small blind and Hastings ($88,234) folded from the big. Griffin responded by making it $21,600 to go and Sahamies called. The flop came down 6♣J♥J♣, and Sahamies checked to Griffin, who bet $40,500. Sahamies moved all-in for about $3,000 more and Griffin called.
Sahamies: 9♦K♠A♠J♠
Griffin: 7♦Q♦A♥10♥
Sahamies was in a dominating position, but Griffin picked up some outs on the 9♣ turn. Unfortunately for him, the 4♥ river was no help and Sahamies took down the $131,653 pot.
Griffin recouped some losses later when he and Hasting went heads-up. In the hand, Griffin raised to $1,800 from the small blind and Hastings called from the big. The flop came 8♣A♦9♥ and things took off. Hastings check-raised Griffin’s $3,300 bet to $11,400, only to have Griffin make it $38,000. Hastings didn’t back down and moved all-in for $100,733. Griffin called and the cards were revealed.
Griffin: J♠A♠10♥7♣
Hastings: K♥9♦9♣7♥
Hastings was ahead with his set of nines, but the 7♦ on the turn gave Griffin a straight. Hastings needed the board to pair on the river to double, but it was the 3♥. Griffin took down the $127,198 pot while Hastings reloaded.
The biggest pot between Tuesday and Thursday occurred at the same table just a few minutes later. In the hand, Hastings ($36,834) was on the button and raised to $1,500. Griffin ($129,297.50) reraised to $5,400 from the small blind, and Sahamies called from the big. Hastings also called and the three saw a flop of Q♥4♥4♣. Griffin bet out $7,700 only to be raised to $26,400 by Sahamies. Hastings mucked and Griffin called.
Both players checked the 5♣ on the turn and the 10♦ hit the river. Griffin checked and Sahamies moved all-in for $60,650. Griffin called and showed K♥4♠K♠4♦ for quad fours, which of course was good against Sahamies’ 6♠9♦2♣A♦ bluff. The pot was worth $190,599 and significantly contributed to Griffin’s three-day total.
Boukai Books Nice Score on Thursday
On Thursday, Rami “Arbianight” Boukai had his biggest day to date since increasing his activity in August. Boukai put in 806 hands in PLO and seven games on his way to a $125,000 score. In one hand, Boukai ($65,483) was playing $200/$400 PLO heads-up against DrugsOrMe ($17,398.50) on Full Tilt. DrugsOrMe was on the button and raised to $1,000. Boukai made the call, and the flop came down 2♠7♥J♥.
Boukai checked to DrugsOrMe who bet $1,200. After a call, the Q♠ hit the turn and it went check, bet $3,200, and call. The 4♠ fell on the river and once again Boukai checked to DrugsOrMe, who bet $10,600. Boukai called and showed 3♥7♦5♥3♠ for a small flush, which was good against DrugsOrMe’s K♥9♦5♣8♣ river bluff.
Who’s Up? Who’s Down?
This week’s biggest winners (10/12-10/14): Rami “Arbianight” Boukai (+$242,920.20), Di “Urindanger” Dang (+$228,545.50), Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin (+$172,265.50), Mercelo “luckexpress10” Marigliano (+$161,288.50), Gus Hansen ($136,926.50)
In the Red: Ilari “Ziigmund” Sahamies (-$511,165.60), DrugsOrMe (-$218,175.50), UarePileous (-$144,667.00), Phil “OMGClayAiken” Galfond (-$121,112.50)
Year-to-Date Winners: Daniel “jungleman12” Cates (+$4.11 million), Tom “durrrr” Dwan (+$4.01 million), Phil Ivey (+$3.08 million)
Year-to-Date Losers: Gus Hansen (-$3.06 million), Brian Townsend (-$2.53 million), Matatuk (-$1.53 million)
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