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Great bluff hand from the 2008 World Series of Poker that involved Mike Ngo vs. Theo Tran. Tran sitting on a huge chip lead, and by the end of the hand you understand how experience may have turned the tables in Ngo’s favor. The commentators let you know quickly that Tran at that point had about four years experience, while Ngo had been playing “forever.”
Before the flop, we see Ngo sitting on a pair of fours. That quickly warrants a 180K raise. Good bet, can’t argue with that. I always worry about a small pair, but statistically there’s no question you have to take advantage while you can, try to make a small move to get others out before they catch.
The Pocker Star Tran looks at pocket Aces. He looks over quickly and just calls, trying for the obvious trap. I go back and forth on this, but at this point I suppose I would’ve made the same move, actually hoping he caught a small pair on the flop, of course not knowing what he already holds.
Flop is 6, 10, 3, all black but nobody’s angling for a flush here. Ngo checks and Tran puts out his own 180K bet. Ngo calls. Turn is a Jack, same scenario and results. River is a Queen of hearts.
Very quickly here, Ngo moves all-in. Tran just loses it and starts giving himself away, not that it matters at this point – on this hand. But I was quite surprised to see the breakdown of self-control and discipline.
With a 95% chance of losing, Ngo sits stone-faced behind his rather large bluff. Tran is whining that Ngo “got lucky” with the queen, and that he knows Ngo has Ace, King. I never would’ve put Ngo at Ace, King if I were sitting at the table. In fact, despite its success, I found Ngo’s FulTilt bluff to be rather transparent given the situation.
It doesn’t take long for Tran to fold. Upon the end of the hand, Ngo proceeds to just rub it in his face, saying “good lay down” as he turns up his bluff. This is another move I’d never make. I don’t care if it’s the end of a million-dollar tournament, it just wouldn’t happen. There are a few reasons – concealment, no necessity – but for me no larger than respect. Of course, in the moment things might be different. But that’s just my feeling.
