06-16-2009 12:35 UTC-12

The Questions Poker Makes Us Ask

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Shamus

Phil Hellmuth had won a few pots and built his stack up to 23,000 or so before the following hand took place.

The player on the button raised before the flop, and Phil Hellmuth called from the big blind. Hellmuth announced he was checking in the dark. The dealer then dealt the flop -- {4-Diamonds}

{4-Diamonds}

{10-Diamonds}

{J-Clubs}

. The button bet 850, and Hellmuth called.

The turn was the {8-Diamonds}

{8-Diamonds}

. Hellmuth checked, his opponent bet 1,850, then Hellmuth minimum-raised to 3,700. His opponent called.

The river was the {8-Hearts}

{8-Hearts}

, pairing the board. Hellmuth bet 4,000, and his opponent raised all in for 1,925 more. Hellmuth snap-called, turning over {A-Diamonds}

{A-Diamonds}

{9-Diamonds}

for the diamond flush. But his opponent had {J-Diamonds}

{J-Diamonds}

{J-Hearts}

for the rivered boat.

"What in the world is going on?" asked Hellmuth as the chips slid his opponent's way. He now has 12,500.

Tags: Phil Hellmuth