PokerStars SuperStar Showdown: Scott "urnotindangr" Palmer Books $5,425 Win in Round One
On Sunday, April 3, PokerStars hosted yet another edition of the SuperStar Showdown featuring Viktor “Isildur1” Blom. This week’s challenger was none other than 20-year-old Scott “urnotindangr” Palmer, a high-stakes regular who had plenty of experience with the Team PokerStars Pro. Like his previous match against Daniel Negreanu, Blom was set to play two 2,500-hand matches against his challenger in back-to-back weeks. After four hours, the fastest SuperStar Showdown to date, Palmer notched a modest $5,425 win.
SuperStar Showdown Breakdown
| Date | Opponent | Profit/Loss | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 19, 2010 | Isaac "philivey2694" Haxton | -$41,701 | 0-1 |
| Jan. 2, 2011 | Antanas “Tony G” Guoga | +$44,280 | 1-1 |
| Jan. 30, 2011 | Daniel “w00ki3z” Cates | +$51,196 | 2-1 |
| Feb. 13, 2011 | Eugene “MyRabbiFoo” Katchalov | +$111,750 | 3-1 |
| March 20, 2011 | Daniel “KidPoker” Negreanu | +$150,000 | 4-1 |
| March 27, 2011 | Daniel “KidPoker” Negreanu | -$26,500 | 4-2 |
| Total SuperStar Showdown Profit: $289,025 |
How It’s Played: While the SuperStar Showdown may conjure images of the “durrrr Challenge,” there are some differences. The SuperStar Showdown is designed as a one-time high-stakes match where challengers face Blom in a heads-up match of 2,500 hands (as opposed to the “durrrr Challenge," which is 50,000 hands and can last over many months — or years).
The match is played across four tables of $50/$100 or higher no-limit hold’em and/or pot-limit Omaha, depending on the competitor's preference. The winner is the player who shows a profit at the end of the match or who felts his or her opponent in the process. What’s more, the SuperStar Showdown matches are announced in advance, so poker fans can enjoy the action live on PokerStars, unlike the “durrrr Challenge," which has been inconsistent. In this particular match, Blom and Palmer decided to play four tables of heads-up no-limit hold'em.
The Outcome: Part I was characterized by swings that lasted right up to the conclusion of the match. It was during those late stages that Palmer managed to win a couple pots and pulled out to a slight lead. When the 2,500-hand mark was hit, Palmer was ahead $5,425, an amount smaller than most of the match’s pots. Needless to say, Blom was locked in to what could easily be considered the toughest SuperStar Showdown match to date.
Here is a look at a few of the biggest and most notable hands from the Blom-Palmer match.
Blom Rivers a Set: Blom ($20,900) raised to $300 on the button only to have Palmer ($16,050) reraise to $1,100 from the big blind. Blom, who is never one to back down, pushed back to the tune of $2,400, Palmer called, and the flop came down 3♦4♦J♣. Palmer checked, Blom bet $2,500, and Palmer check-raised to $5,000. Blom continued his aggression and three-bet to $18,500 and Palmer called off his last $8,650.
Palmer: 4♣3♣
Blom: Q♦Q♠
Palmer had managed to crack Blom’s big pocket pair, but there were still two cards to come. The 8♥ turn changed nothing and left Blom looking for a jack, eight, or queen on the river. As fate would have it, the Q♥ peeled off and sent the $32,100 pot Blom’s way.
Blom Flushed: In another +$30K pot, Blom ($52,375) raised to $300 on the button, Palmer ($15,400) called, and the flop fell 4♠7♥A♥. Palmer was first to act and checked to Blom, who continuation-bet $500. From there, Palmer woke up with a check-raise to $1,700, Blom called, and the 10♥ hit the turn.
This time Palmer decided to lead out with a bet of $3,000, Blom called, and the 4♣ was revealed on the river. Palmer quickly moved all-in for $10,400 and Blom made the call. Palmer showed A♦7♦ for aces up but was downed by the J♥5♥ flush of Blom. Even though Blom managed to take down some significant pots, including this one of $30,800, Palmer always found a way to claw his way back into the match.
The Difference Maker: Blom was nursing a modest lead of about $24,000 with the match nearly complete. That was about to change when, according to the PokerStars Blog, Blom ($45,150) raised to $300 holding 10♠8♦ and received a call from the 5♥5♠ of Palmer ($29,425). The 5♣2♥2♦ flop was gin for Palmer, giving him a full house. He wisely checked and let Blom do his betting, which he did — $500. Palmer smooth-called behind as the 7♦ was put out on the turn.
Once again Palmer checked, Blom bet $1,400, and Palmer called. When the 4♦ peeled off on the river, Palmer opted to check yet again, and Blom decided the only way to win was to continue his bluff. As such, he bet $2,850, Palmer raised to $8,600, and Blom shoved for $42,950. Palmer, who had $18,625 remaining, made the easy call and took down the $58,850 pot, which gave him a $5,075 lead at that point. After a few more hands, Palmer's lead would eventually stand at $5,425.
To Be Continued: The SuperStar Showdown will continued on Sunday, April 10, at 3 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT) when Blom and Palmer will return for another 2,500 hands. As always, you can watch that match on PokerStars.
Updated SuperStar Showdown Breakdown
| Date | Opponent | Profit/Loss | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 19, 2010 | Isaac "philivey2694" Haxton | -$41,701 | 0-1 |
| Jan. 2, 2011 | Antanas “Tony G” Guoga | +$44,280 | 1-1 |
| Jan. 30, 2011 | Daniel “w00ki3z” Cates | +$51,196 | 2-1 |
| Feb. 13, 2011 | Eugene “MyRabbiFoo” Katchalov | +$111,750 | 3-1 |
| March 20, 2011 | Daniel “KidPoker” Negreanu | +$150,000 | 4-1 |
| March 27, 2011 | Daniel “KidPoker” Negreanu | -$26,500 | 4-2 |
| April 3, 2011 | Scott “urnotindangr” Palmer | -$5,425 | 4-3 |
| Total SuperStar Showdown Profit: $283,600 |
If you want to find out more details and hands from this installment of the PokerStars SuperStar Showdown, check out the PokerStars Blog.
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