"I Could Have a Pair of Eights"
After a player opened with a raise and Jason Mercier three-bet, Rich Sklar called the three bets from the blinds, as did the original raiser. Sklar then drew three cards, the original raiser took two cards, and Mercier just one. Sklar bet, the original raiser folded, Mercier raised, and Sklar called.
Both players drew one card on the second round, and Sklar check-called Mercier's bet. Both again drew one card on the final round. This time Sklar bet blind (i.e., without looking at the card he drew), and when Mercier raised, Sklar looked to see he had a pair of deuces.
Noting that he'd paired his deuce, Sklar started to muck, then Mercier stopped him. "Hey, I could have a pair of eights," said Mercier. Sklar made the call, and Mercier showed
and took the pot.Mercier has 10,500 now, while Sklar has 12,500.