Zach Franzi Crushes in Latest Poker After Dark; Nick Wright & Eli Elezra Struggle
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On Monday night, PokerGO aired the latest episode of "Poker After Dark” Season 13, which was Part 1 of “Feeding Franzi.”
The seven-handed game was $50/$100 no-limit hold’em with a $100 big blind ante. The minimum buy-in was $10,000 with no max.
Nick Wright, the host of FS1’s “First Things First”, recently lost his High Stakes Duel III match to Phil Hellmuth, but returned here for his PAD debut. He was joined by Eli Elezra, Maria Ho, poker couple Joelle Parenteau and Daniel Weinand, Hish Salama, and the man for which the episode was named Zach Franzi.
Here’s a look at the seating chart at the top of the broadcast:
| Seat | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Wright |
| 2 | Zach Franzi |
| 3 | Joelle Parenteau |
| 4 | Hish Salama |
| 5 | Daniel Weinand |
| 6 | Eli Elezra |
| 7 | Maria Ho |
Below is a look at five of either the biggest or most interesting hands from this week's episode.
Elezra Can’t Buy It From Salama
In the first hand of the episode, Parenteau raised to $300 with the A♦K♥ and Salama called holding the A♠J♥. Elezra came along from the button with the Q♣8♦ and Wright put an additional $200 with the J♦9♦ from the big blind to make it four-way action to the 8♠J♠9♠ all-spade flop.
Action checked to Elezra, who bet $1,100 with bottom pair and a gutshot straight draw. Wright called with two pair, Parenteau folded, and Salama came along with his ace-high flush draw.
The 2♦ turn was of no consequence and two checks put action back on Elezra, who took another stab with a bet of $2,600. It didn’t do the trick though as both his opponents called to see the 7♠ river.
Wright checked for the third time and Salama, who made his flush, checked behind. Elezra took the bait by firing the triple barrel with a bet of $4,400, Wright folded, and Salama called to take down the $21,250 Pot.
Franzi Scoops Elezra
Elezra raised to $300 from the hijack with the A♥J♠ and Franzi called from the small blind with the 5♥2♥, which brought about a flop of 6♥10♥J♥. Franzi flopped a flush and checked to Elezra, who had top pair with the nut flush draw.
Elezra continued for $900 and Franzi just called to see the 2♣ turn. Franzi checked again and Elezra bet $4,400. Franzi check-raised all in and Elezra called off the $2,500 he had behind to create a $16,400 pot.
The river was run twice, but neither A♣ on the first nor 8♦ on the second helped Elezra and he was left to reload.
Franzi is King
Franzi kept the ball rolling by raising to $300 with the K♦K♣ and Salama called with the Q♦10♠. Weinand came along from the button holding the A♣J♣ and Wright called the additional $200 from the big blind after looking down at the K♠9♠.
On the K♥5♦8♠ flop brought the case king and Franzi continued for $400 with top set. Only Wright, who had flopped top pair, made the call and it was heads-up to the 2♦ turn. Wright opted to lead out for $800 and Franzi popped him to $2,600.
Wright, who was drawing dead, quickly called and then checked the 3♣ river. Franzi bet $6,000 and he got paid as Wright tossed in calling chips. Ship the $19,350 pot to Franzi.
Elezra Just Can’t Beat the Guy
Franzi limped holding the Q♦3♦ and Elezra raised to $500 after looking down at the A♠A♦ in the big blind. Franzi called and hit gin when the Q♠Q♥6♥ flop gave him trip queens.
Elezra continued for $600, Franzi just called, and the dealer burned and turned the 4♣. Elezra bet again, this time $1,700, and Franzi just called to see the 7♥ turn.
Elezra downsized to $900 and Franzi, perhaps discouraged by the third heart, just called to win the $7,550 pot.
“Just can’t beat the guy,” commentator Ali Nejad said.
Doesn’t Matter How Many Times We Run It, He Wins
In the final hand of the episode, Wright raised to $400 from middle position with the K♥10♠ and Parenteau called with the A♥8♦. Elezra came along from the big blind with the J♣9♣ and flopped a flush draw on the 2♥10♣5♣ flop.
Elezra checked, Wright continued for $800 with top pair, and Parenteau got out of the way. Elezra called, turned the flush on the 3♣ turn, and led out for $2,200. Wright paused for a few beats before raising all in for what turned out to be $4,875, which Elezra called.
“I have to call. Do you have a flush?” Wright asked. Elezra then showed him the goods. “It doesn’t matter how many times we run it, he wins,” Wright added.
Indeed, the 6♥ river was inconsequential and Elezra claimed the $23,100 pot.
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*Images courtesy of PokerGO.
