Can the Loose Cannon Turn a Profit in The Big Game on Tour Season Finale?
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Lily Newhouse's time on The Big Game on Tour has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. The cancer survivor saw her stack plummet to $14,200 on just the third hand of play of the season after being on the wrong end of a trips versus full house cooler against PokerStars ambassador Sam Grafton.
On her second appearance, Newhouse was able to claw some chips back before another set-up against Grafton derailed some of her momentum in the third session. With coach Nadya Magnus' help, Newhouse kept composed and went on a brief heater to rally back to her $50,000 starting stack. Last week's episode saw Newhouse drop slightly further into the red, but she remained in a healthy position to walk away with a profit heading into the finale.
So, with a couple dozen hands still to play, Newhouse's goal of making enough money to install a swimming pool in her new home was still in view.
But was she able to accomplish her goal? Find out with the PokeNews Big Game on Tour episode breakdown!
Is It Newhouse's Time to Shine?
The loose cannon got into the mix with a raise to $2,100 with 7♠7♦ from the button after entrepreneur Dave Krosky called when Phil Laak put the straddle on. Grafton and Maria Ho got out of the way in the blinds, and Laak ditched his A♦5♣. Krosky opted to come along with his A♠3♥.
Krosky led out for $4,000 on the 9♦9♣4♦ flop, and Newhouse called with the best hand. The J♠ came in on the turn, prompting Krosky to offer a proposition. He asked the table to write down what they thought he would do. Anyone who guessed correctly would receive $1,000 from him. Answers were jotted down, and then Krosky acted, firing out a small bet of $300, something he'd done on many occasions over the season. Newhouse celebrated as she guessed correctly; Grafton also forsore what was coming and received the additional bonus.
Back to the hand, Newhouse called to see the 5♥ complete the board, and Krosky sized up to $5,000. Newhouse quickly called to win the $23,700 pot, taking her into the black for $7,400.
Are You the Next Loose Cannon?
Exciting news for poker fans: the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) is making a comeback at Resorts World this November, and with it, more episodes of The Big Game on Tour will be filmed at the iconic Las Vegas casino.
If you're looking to be part of the action, PokerStars has unveiled their Gold NAPT Power Path Passes, which give players a chance to turn a $0.50 ticket into a dream $10,000 package. And there's an added bonus this time around — Gold Pass winners can skip The Big Game on Tour qualifiers and go straight to the audition stage, putting them just one step away from appearing on one of poker's most legendary TV shows.
Those who make it to the NAPT without a Gold Power Pass will still have the chance to become the next loose cannon as they can enter the open shootout tournament where the winner from each table advances to the audition round.
Qualify for NAPT Las Vegas at the Pennsylvania State Poker Championship
Does Krosky Get His Ernest Wiggins Moment
It didn't take long for Newhouse and Krosky to tangle once more. The loose cannon put out a $400 straddle, which Krosky called from the small blind with 9♦7♥. Michael Ian Black folded his big blind, and Newhouse checked her option with 3♣2♣.
Krosky improved to top pair on the 9♣6♦4♣ flop, while Newhouse had plenty of hope with her baby flush draw. Krosky continued to be aggressive and bet $1,500, but of course, Newhouse didn't go anywhere. The 6♣ turn completed Newhouse's draw, but Krosky was undeterred and sent another $5,000 into the pot. Newhouse raised to $12,500 and snap-called when Krosky jammed for $52,800.
Throughout the show, Krosky had been itching to get his stack in the middle and run it four times. Krosky's wish was answered as Newhouse agreed to see a quartet of river cards.
The hand hearkened back to an encounter that transpired in The Big Game's first iteration, where then loose cannon Ernest Wiggins was a huge underdog with pocket kings and was up against Phil Hellmuth's flopped trip nines. The duo agreed to run it four times, and miraculously, Wiggins won three of the four runouts, making it one of the most memorable moments in all of poker.
While audiences wanted the loose cannon to get lucky back then, they now watched on in the hope that Lady Luck wouldn't throw out any curveballs for Newhouse.
Krosky needed a six or a nine, which failed to appear on the first two runouts. Newhouse had locked up half of the pot, meaning regardless of the other two outcomes, she'd still be up a few thousand dollars. Run number three brought in the 2♦, and then the entirety of the $109,800 pot went to Newhouse after the last runout completed with the Q♠.
With six figures coming her way, Newhouse increased her profit to $63,000 and became the biggest winner on the table.
Standings After Final Episode
After stacking Krosky, Newhouse locked it up and walked away with $55,800, more than enough to get that swimming pool. Ho trailed slightly behind her, ending up $51,100 after the 150 hands played out. Black's time at the table was also fruitful, as the actor banked $42,400, while Grafton also booked a win for $15,100.
Krosky, who hopefully throws his hat into the ring for future episodes, left the table with a loss of $69,200. Poker legend Laak surprisingly left the table with the most significant deficit, contributing $93,400 to the game.
| Rank | Player | Profit/Loss | Stack |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lily Newhouse | +$55,800 | $105,800 |
| 2 | Maria Ho | +$51,100 | $151,100 |
| 3 | Michael Ian Black | +$42,400 | $92,400 |
| 4 | Sam Grafton | +$15,100 | $115,100 |
| 5 | Dave Krosky | -$69,200 | $80,800 |
| 6 | Phil Laak | -$93,400 | $206,600 |
