New episodes of popular poker television shows are airing in droves this week, among them the PokerStars-sponsored “Big Game,” which airs late night on Fox. This week, the six-handed cash game table was stacked with over $1 million and Russell Harlow took to the felts as the online qualifier dubbed the “Loose Cannon.” PokerStars staked Harlow with $100,000; the Loose Cannon who banks the most money at the end of the season takes home a $50,000 PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) prize package.
The action before the flop on the “Big Game” is Pot Limit and then No Limit thereafter. Tony Gcame to the felt with the largest stack at $500,000, the maximum allowed, and the blinds were $200/$400 with an ante of $100 paid entirely by the player on the button. Harlow works the graveyard shift as a bakery delivery driver.
UB.com pro Phil Hellmuth was the table captain early, raising to $2,000 before the flop with A-6 and receiving calls from Antonio Esfandiari (pocket jacks) and PartyPoker pro Tony G(9-6 of hearts). The flop came 10-8-10 and Esfandiari led out for $4,400 with an overpair to the board. Tony G got out of the way and Hellmuth pushed the action to $14,400 with ace-high. Esfandiari called and the turn was a three.
Hellmuth continued to be aggressive despite having air and bet $17,000. Esfandiari once again called and the river was a five. Esfandiari checked and Hellmuth dramatically tanked before betting $22,000. Esfandiari opined, “You should get an Academy Award for that one” and sent his hole cards into the muck. The pot was worth $91,000.
Hellmuth continued to get frisky and picked up pocket kings in a hand against Jason Mercier, who was dealt pocket threes. The flop came 9-Q-3, all clubs, and the action went check-check. Hellmuth held the only club in the hand and the turn was an offsuit queen. Mercier checked his set and Hellmuth fired out a bet of $7,000. Mercier check-raised to $20,700 and Hellmuth came along. The river filled the “Poker Brat’s” flush and Mercier moved all-in for $67,200. Hellmuth got out of the way, telling Mercier that he thought he had nines-full, and Mercier increased his stack to $129,000.
Then, the hand of the night occurred. Harlow raised to $1,400 with pocket jacks before the flop and Tony G made the call with a wired pair of threes. Mercier called out of the blinds with 6-5 and flopped the nuts on a 2-4-3 board. Mercier checked his nut straight, Harlow bet $4,000 with an overpair, and Tony G raised to $12,000 with middle set. Mercier pushed the action to $29,000, Harlow wisely abandoned ship, and Tony G put Mercier all-in.
Mercier happily called all-in and, with $237,000 in the middle, the two agreed to run it once. The turn was an eight and the river was a six, doubling up Mercier to $237,000. It was his second major pot of the night and Mercier ended Monday’s kickoff episode up $130,000. On the flip side, Tony G was down about the same amount when play concluded on Monday.
The Loose Cannon also got his licks in by the time 30 hands had been played. Harlow raised to $1,300 pre-flop with K-7 and Esfandiari 3bet to $4,300 with A-5. Harlow called despite being out of position with a weak hand, but was rewarded when the flop came K-4-K. Harlow bet $5,000 with trips and Esfandiari raised to $17,400 with ace-high. Harlow deliberated before just calling and the turn was a nine. Harlow continued to stay aggressive, betting $20,000, and Esfandiari folded to give the qualifier a $64,000 pot. Harlow ended play on Monday up $6,700.
