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 G came 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.
You can catch the PokerStars “Big Game” every night on Fox. Check your local listings for airtimes.