High Stakes Poker
That's it! Take down the set and pack up the cameras, High Stakes Poker Season 7 has officially wrapped. It's not been the best or worst of seasons. Commentator wobbles and a lack of intelligent play has been countered by big pots and big excitement. Just like the rest of the industry, HSP poker video is in a transitional phase, but there are plenty of reasons to hope. Not least this final episode, which was as exciting as any this season.
It would be easy to think of Johnny Chan as a spent force. The 10-time bracelet winner doesn't court the limelight like he used to and can be spotted in only the occasional tournament. Counting him out in any game, however, would be a big mistake and if you're playing opposite him, it could prove expensive.
Chan was all over the felt this week, beginning his assault by…
Read MoreThere's not much more action to squeeze out of High Stakes Poker Season 7, but the collected degenerates are doing their damnedest to give us a few exciting hands to talk about.
In fact, the action proved too much for a certain magician at the table. Antonio Esfandiari ended his friendly spat with Phil Laak and left an empty seat behind. Any fears that the chatter might die down with Antonio's departure were quickly abated when Daniel Negreanu arrived to take his place.
He wasted no time mixing things up against the player affectionally known as Rolex. Holding K-10 Daniel put in a prelop raise and saw Rolex and Bill Klein make a call with Q-J and 8-8 respectively. The flop connected with two players as it ran out K-2-J, enough for both to put chips in the middle. That was the end of the free money for Negreanu, Rolex…
Read MoreHigh Stakes Poker Season 7 is winding its way towards a conclusion. Episode 11 was a poker video record of the second portion of this final session. It has been all change this year on HSP, with new commentators and no Full Tilt Pros, but after a few initial missteps the series has grown into compelling programming. It might not reach the enthralling heights of previous seasons, but the new amateur-infused High Stakes Poker has not been without entertainment.
At the beginning of this week's show, it was a legend of poker who desperately needed to drag in a few pots. Doyle Brunson had been feeding cash to the table, with Phil Galfond the biggest benefactor. The internet expert had been impressing everyone with his creative play, but as the action got underway, the table was still reeling from an incredible bluff against Galfond by businessman Bill Klein.
As…
Read MoreThe second of three of High Stakes Poker Season 7 sessions came to an end this weekend. Episode 9 featured more of the raucous play that has characterised this portion of the show, with a couple of crazy amateurs feeding the action at the table.
Norm MacDonald began the show by officially christening "Silent" Mike Baxter a pro, rather than an amateur. While it might be stretching it a little to consider him the equal of the other big names at the table, he's certainly cut from a different cloth than Julian Movsesian and Bill Perkins.
Perkins in particular was flinging chips into the pot like a poker flash. The rich businessman showed little regard for money and looked like he was mostly out to have a good time. As I've said before, that doesn't lend itself to great play, but does create a buoyant atmosphere with plenty of…
Read MoreLas week, High Stakes Poker Season 7 finally hit its stride and the table didn't pause for breathe in Episode 8. The show might not have the frisson of past seasons, with eight of world's best gathered around the table. Instead of the best money poker sites players, the new influx of rich amateurs has brought with it a welcome gung-ho style.
Leading the charge for these unskilled businessmen is Bill Perkins. Despite stacking off over $200,000 at the end of the last show, he continued to play almost every hand. With lust $46k left in front of him, he pushed all-in two hands in a row. The first time he had top pair against Julian Movsesian's bottom pair, the insurance salesman folded. The very next hand Perkins pulled the same trick, but this time Movesesian decided that bottom pair was good enough.
That double-up put Perkins back in…
Read MoreThis could be the week that High Stakes Poker finally re-found its feet. It's a different vista to the previous six series, but the new businessman-infused version of HSP delivered some eminently watchable action this past weekend.
Episode 7 showcased the second session from the second group of players to hit the felt. Once again, half of the table is propped up by wealthy capitalists. Julian Movsesian, Bill Perkins, and Mike Baxter brought their millions to play with the pros. "Silent" Mike is a well known grinder, but the former duo look like rank novices. Both showed an ignorance of the game, betting out of turn and unsure what it meant to run an all-in hand more than once.
The resulting poker was not very interesting, but it was exciting. Perkins in particular lived up to the billing of a stacked whale, donating cash left right and centre. At times…
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