Billionaire CEO Pulls Off One of the Best Bluffs Ever on New High Stakes Poker

Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S.

Oct 07, 2024 4 min read

Pocket Kings Right Off the Bat
Greatest High Stakes Poker Bluff Ever?
Steven's Turn to Bluff
Past High Stakes Poker Season 13 Episode Recaps

Sameh Elamawy has been brought the action throughout Season 13 of High Stakes Poker, but the best play he's made occurred during Monday's newest episode. And it will go down as a Top 5 bluff in the iconic poker show's history.

The billionaire CEO of Scratch has shown no fear at the poker table competing for massive stakes against accomplished pros and fellow recreational players. He tangled in a memorable hand during Episode 9, which is now available on PokerGO, against Humboldt Mike, a pot that exceeded $800,000.

Those two players were joined in the game at the start by Andrew Robl, Stanley Tang, Brandon Steven, Justin Gavri, and Nik Airball. Opening stack sizes were as follows.

Player	Chip Stack
Andrew Robl	$490,000
Sameh Elamawy	$411,500
Humboldt Mike	$409,000
Stanley Tang	$372,500
Brandon Steven	$362,000
Justin Gavri	$336,500
Nik Airball	$257,000

Pocket Kings Right Off the Bat

The first hand of the season’s ninth episode featured Gavri raising to $2,500 with K♥K♣ and then Tang three-betting to $10,000 with A♣Q♦.

Pocket kings then went for a four-bet to $36,000, enough to win the pot without seeing a flop. Gavri would see a flop on the second hand, but he probably wishes he hadn’t as he held an under pair on a board of J♥6♣2♦ against Humboldt Mike’s Q♠J♠.

The turn was the 10♥ and Mike bet $48,000 into a pot of $116,500. Gavri was forced to fold his pocket nines and surrender a sizable pot early in the show. Jennifer Tilly would join the action, buying in for $200,000.

Greatest High Stakes Poker Bluff Ever?

Sameh Elamawy Scratch CEO — Sameh Elamawy

Elamawy has made some brilliant plays during his nine-session televised poker debut. He faced a difficult spot during Episode 9 with 8♥8♦ with $77,000 in the pot on a board of J♠2♥6♦6♣6♥. Steven bet $27,000 with A♥Q♦ and Elamawy called. But Nik Airball, who had the best hand with K♠K♦, moved all in for $162,000 which convinced both players to fold.

The biggest hand of the night and one of the most thrilling hands in High Stakes Poker history took place moments later. Robl, with a $4,000 straddle on, raised to $16,000 from the big blind with A♣J♥ after action folded around to him. Elamawy, in the smallest straddle with 10♠7♠, called, as did Humboldt Mike in the big straddle with A♦10♦.

The flop ran out Q♦4♠5♦, only enticing to Mike, who flopped a flush draw. Robl and Elamawy checked before Mike bet $29,000. That wasn't enough to take down the pot against two mediocre hands. Elamawy went for a check-raise to $109,000, but the original bettor made the call.

Action would pick up further on the J♣ turn as it gave Mike a straight draw to boot. Elamawy, who had a bit smaller stack than his opponent, bet out $182,000, leaving just $186,000 behind. Mike again called to see the 8♣ on the river, blank.

The financial industry executive didn't give up hope that he could win the pot with 10-high. He moved all in, and Mike couldn't make the call with ace-high and a missed combo draw. Elamawy took down a pot of $817,500, one of the biggest of the season and one of the best bluffs in High Stakes Poker history.

Steven's Turn to Bluff

There were a number of solid plays during Episode 9. Steven made one of them on a board of K♦K♣4♠2♥5♣ and just $38,000 in the pot, he bet $27,000 with K♥10♥ for trips. But he was in horrible shape against Tilly's A♠K♥. She raised to $125,000 with the better kicker, and Steven was able to make the difficult but correct fold.

Episode 9 would feature a second epic bluff. The hand in question began with Steven, holding 8♦6♦, raising to $4,000. Humboldt Mike called on the button with A♥8♥. as did Airball in the big blind with 9♥5♥. The flop came out 7♥5♣K♥, a little something for everyone.

Airball checked, Steven bet $7,000, Humboldt Mike called, and then Airball check-raised to $37,000. Both opponents called to see the J♦ on the turn. All three players checked, and then Airball checked the 2♦ river. Steven bet $77,000, enough to get Airball and Mike to fold and take down a $201,000 pot late in the show with eight-high.

Steven would conclude the episode by winning a $272,500 pot with A♥Q♦ when he rivered two pair to crack Tang's A♠K♠.