888 Hand of The Week: The $888 Crazy Eights Lives Up To Its Name
The 2016 World Series of Poker continued in Las Vegas, Nevada this week, with one of the summer's newest events playing out.
PokerNews was on hand for all the action in the 2016 WSOP $888 Crazy Eights 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em, and will be in Las Vegas for the duration of the World Series. As a part of our coverage, that is brought to you by our sponsor 888poker, we will be bringing readers a special "888 Hand of the Week" every week throughout the entire 2016 WSOP.
This time around were going to focus the hand that won the tournament and $888,888 in life-changing money for a 53-year-old nail salon owner from Ohio.
Heads-up between Hung Le and Michael Hech, with blinds at 150,000/300,000 with a 50,000 ante, Le limped the button with the 2♣2♠. Hech woke up with the Q♣J♣ and raised it up to 800,000.
Le called, and Lech fired 900,000 at the A♦10♣4♦ flop, semi-bluffing with a gutshot. Le called with what amounted to a bluff catcher, and Lech checked the 8♦ turn. Le took the lead with a bet, firing 1.5 million and Lech check-raised all in, putting his tournament life on the line.
Le made the call with the title, the bracelet and the $888,888 first prize on the line, and somehow the best hand. Deuces held after Lech whiffed the 6♦ river and Le was crowned event champ.
Le would later admit he felt like he was at a distinct skill disadvantage heads up with Lech, and decided to take a bit of a maniacal and ultra-aggressive approach, fitting in perfectly with the event's Crazy Eights theme.
He worked that strategy to perfection, doubling up until he was in the lead, and in the end, Le said he felt that if Lech had a better hand, he would have tried to reel him rather than not shove all in.
Turns out he was right, and because it was a crazy call in a wild hand that won Le the 888poker sponsored $888 Crazy Eights event at the 2016 WSOP, it was an obvious choice for this week's 888 Hand of the Week.
As the 2016 WSOP rolls on, be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for continued coverage, brought to you by our sponsors, 888poker, including weekly 888 Hand of the Week articles.
*Image courtesy of 888poker.com.
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