An Orbit at Table #439

Table 439 seems to be a magnet for some of the best in today's field. Local pro Eric Davis, Dan Smith, Christian Harder, Joseph Cappello, and Maria Ho are all sharing shoulder space, and we decided to record and entire orbit of action at this death table. Here is what happened.

Hand 1: It was battle of the blinds after everyone folded to the two left of the button. Davis in the small blind completed the blind and the big blind was kind enough to check so both players saw a flop. With a {2-Hearts} {6-Hearts} {A-Hearts} board exposed, Davis placed a bet that would put his short stacked opponent all in and at risk. The big blind declined the offer and opted to fold.

Hand 2: This recent hand started with action folding to Cappello in the hijack who decided that moving all in was the best move. Smith folded in the cut-off, and action was on Davis who took his time measuring his possibilities. In the end though Davis moved all in. The blinds folded and both player's cards were tabled.

Davis: {A-Spades} {k-}
Cappello: {A-Diamonds} {Q-Clubs}

With a {2-Spades} {4-Diamonds} {6-Diamonds} {j-Diamonds} {9-Clubs} board running out and Cappello failing to improve he was sent packing.

Hand 3: Christian Harder opened for 8,000 and stole the blinds and antes.

Hand 4: Maria Ho started the action out by raising to 8,000 and action folded around to the button who after some self-convincing made the call. The blinds folded and both players were witness to a {5-Hearts} {10-Hearts} {j-Hearts} flop. Ho moved all in, essentially putting her short stacked opponent all in. Ho's opponent snap called and flipped over {A-Hearts} {j-Spades} for a pair of jacks with a nut flush draw. Ho tabled {a-Spades} {10-Clubs} for a weaker pair, and no flush draw. Ho would need a 10 if she wanted to deliver the knock out blow.

A {k-Diamonds} on the turn gave a non-heart queen as a potential out for Ho, but it didn't matter as the {3-Clubs} rattled off the deck for the river. Ho sits with about 270,000 after the hand, just a minor set back

Hand 5: Maria Ho was at it again the very next hand opening for 8,500 from under the gun. Davis then quickly raised to 21,500. The rest of the table folded and it was back on Ho. Ho folded {7-Hearts} {7-Spades} face up, and struck a deal with Davis to pay $5 to see his hole cards. Davis agreed and showed {Q-Spades} {Q-Hearts} as he pocketed a Lincoln. Apparently the two players had done this before with Davis paying Ho to see her cards.

Hand 6: One of the short stacks at the table started the hand out by moving all in for 28,500. Action folded to Ho on the button and she placed the call. Cards were tabled, and it was Ho who was ahead.

Ho: {A-} {j-}
Opponent: {q-} {10-}

A {3-Diamonds} {A-Spades} {7-Spades} {k-Clubs} {5-Hearts} board plopped out of the deck and Ho was awarded the fairly sizable pot.

Hand 7: Maria Ho can't stay out of a pot it seems. It was battle of the blinds with the table folding around. Ho raised to 11,000 and the big blind folded.

Hand 8: Yet again we saw Maria Ho getting involved in a pot, this time from the button after everyone else had folded. She demanded 8,500 to anyone who want to see a flop. The small blind folded, and Smith in the big blind moved all in. Ho completed the call and yet again possessed {A-Clubs} {j-Clubs} . Smith was forced to table a weaker hand, {A-} {5-} .

A {2-Diamonds} {2-Clubs} {8-Hearts} flop was spread furthering Ho's lead on the hand. A {4-Diamonds} on the turn gave Smith a straight-draw. The {5-Spades} on the river though is what ended up stealing the hand away from Ho.

Hand 9: A player in middle position raised it up to 11,000 and the player in the hijack moved all in for 46,000. The initial raiser snap called and showed {A-} {A-} , while his opponent could only muster up {8-} {8-Hearts} . With a {5-Hearts} {9-Spades} {10-Diamonds} {7-Spades} {9-Hearts} board running out the short stack was eliminated. Many good lucks and good byes were wished and he made his way to the rail