Jake Daniels & Matt Berkey Win Monster Pots on Poker After Dark
On Monday night, PokerGO aired the third episode of "Poker After Dark” Season 13, which was Part 3 of "The Nosebleeds."
The game was $200/$400 no-limit hold’em with a $400 big blind ante. The minimum buy-in was $40,000 with no max. The table featured an identical line-up of Episode 2 including GGPoker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu, MJ Gonzales, who some might know as Daniel Negreanu’s poker coach, Zach Franzi, Scott Seiver, Matt Berkey, Dan Smith, and Jake Daniels.
The action was juiced up after all players agreed with a suggestion by Daniels for hands to include an $800 under-the-gun straddle.
Below is a look at five of either the biggest or most interesting hands from this week's episode. Also, here’s a look at the stacks at the top of the broadcast:
| Player | Stack |
|---|---|
| MJ Gonzales | $158,200 |
| Zach Franzi | $125,800 |
| Daniel Negreanu | $102,300 |
| Dan Smith | $97,500 |
| Jake Daniels | $61,700 |
| Scott Seiver | $57,700 |
| Matt Berkey | $52,800 |
Remember, Poker After Dark will air every Monday but is only available to PokerGO subscribers. If you’re not currently subscribed, you can get a monthly subscription for $14.99, a three-month plan for $29.99, and an annual subscription for $99.99. You can also save $10 off an annual subscription by using promo code “PokerNews” at checkout.
Smith Jams River with Queen-High
The second hand of the episode began with Negreanu straddling for $800 from under the gun with A♣6♥. Berkey raised to $1,600 from one seat over with J♥8♥. Smith was next to act and three-bet to $5,200 and was heads-up against Berkey after the Solve For Why poker academy founder called to see the 5♥2♠10♥ flop.
Smith put the pedal to the metal on all three streets. Berkey check-called a bet by Smith for $3,500 after flopping a flush draw. Berkey checked a bigger bet of $13,500 by Smith after pairing up his eight on the 8♣ turn.
The 2♦ paired the board on the turn and Berkey checked his two pair. Smith jammed for $37,000 and stole the pot away from his opponent after Berkey folded to take down the pot.
"Tada!" Smith said after he turned over his cards to show his bluff.
Negreanu Folds Two Pair
Smith straddled for $800 before looking down at his 7♥2♣. Daniels raised to $1,800 from the cutoff and was called by Franzi from the button with A♠3♥ and by Negreanu in the small blind with 7♣4♣ before Smith folded.
Negreanu checked in the dark before the dealer dished out the Q♥4♥6♣ flop. Both Daniels and Franzi checked as well to see the 3♣ turn. Negreanu bet $3,200 with the third pair and a flush draw and Daniels called with the top pair and Franzi did the same with the bottom pair.
The 7♠ river gave Negreanu the best hand with two pair on a scary board and Negreanu and Daniels both checked. Franzi bet $7,100 and got Negreanu to fold before Daniels went into the tank and won the pot after calling with top pair.
Daniels Bluffs Negreanu Off Top Pair
Dan Smith straddled to $800 from under the gun with K♠3♠ and Daniels raised to $1,800 from the cutoff with 9♠8♠. Negreanu three-bet to $9,500 with A♥9♦ from the small blind. Smith quickly folded and Daniels took his time before ultimately calling.
Both players hit a piece of the 10♠8♣A♦ flop although Negreanu was signicantly ahead in the hand with top pair. Negreanu fired out for $5,200 and Daniels called.
The 4♣ turn didn't help either player. Negreanu led out again, this time for bigger bet of $20,000. Daniels jammed over the top for $74,700.
"It's a tough spot," Negreanu said while tanking.
Daniels' bluff eventually worked with Negreanu folding his top pair.
"I folded a pair," Negreanu said after the hand. "The highest pair available."
Daniels Wins a $230K Pot After Running it Four-Times Against Franzi
The final two hands of the episode featured the biggest pots. Franzi began the penultimate hand of the show by straddling for $800 with 10♣9♠. Negreanu jacked it up to $2,500 from one seat over with K♠Q♠ to $2,500. Daniels called from the big blind with 2♦2♣ and Franzi completed the preflop action with a call as well.
The J♠9♦9♣ rainbow flop improved Franzi to trips. Negreanu continued for $2,100 after the action was checked over to him and both of his opponents called.
Daniels checked again after improving to a full house on the 2♠ turn and Franzi fired out $7,000 with his trip nines. Negreanu, who was drawing dead despite having a flush draw, called. Daniels raised to $29,000 and Franzi opted to three-bet to $64,000. Daniels four-bet jammed for $104,000 and Franzi called after Negreanu gave up on the hand.
"I've got a full house," Daniels said.
"If you show me nine-deuce, I say nice hand," responded Franzi. "Twice?"
"Twice is good," Daniels agreed.
"Oh fuck! How did you get that turn?" Franzi said in frustration after the players turned over their cards. "Ladies and gentlemen, Jake Daniels."
Daniels suggested that they run it four times instead of twice and Franzi agreed.
The outcome would have been the same whether they ran it once, twice, or four times with Daniels scooping up the huge $230,400 pot after Franzi blanked all four rivers with the dealer dishing out the Q♣ on the first board, the 8♥ on the second board, the 3♠ on the third board, and the A♦ on the final board.
Berkey Wins Two Coin Flips Against Daniels
The straddle theme continued with this time Berkey ponying up $800 from under the gun before he looked at his J♠J♥. Daniels raised the button to $1,800 with A♥Q♦ and Negreanu called from the big blind with Q♥9♥. Berkey three-bet to $10,000 before Daniels four-bet to $33,000. Negreanu got out of the way before Berkey five-bet jammed for $83,800. Daniels snap-called and the duo agreed to run it twice.
Berkey won the first board without any drama on the 6♣7♠4♠3♦6♠ runout before a rollercoaster of a second board.
Daniels pulled out in front with top pair on the A♦10♥K♣ flop before improving to Broadway on the J♦ turn. However, the A♣ completed the board on the river to improve Berkey to a full house to scoop up the $170,000 pot.
*Images courtesy of PokerGO.
