In our Poker Hand of the Week we analyze the best bluff of High Stakes Poker Season 10 so far by Bill Perkins against Bobby Baldwin.
Poker Hand of the Week Setup
This very interesting hand was played in High Stakes Poker Season 10 Episode 5, which featured Jennifer Tilly, Antonio Esfandiari and Bill Perkins among others.
They are playing $200/$400 No-Limit Hold’em 6-max with a straddle to $800 and Bill has Bobby covered at the start of our Poker Hand of the Week.
Poker Hand of the Week Action
Preflop:
Bobby Baldwin straddles to $800. It folds around to Bill Perkins on the button, who open-raises to $3,000 with 10♣6♣. Everybody folds to Baldwin in the straddle, who looks at J♠J♥ and 3-bets to $9,000. Most people would fold here, but Perkins makes a loose call in position. Pot Size: $19,000
Flop:
The 10♠8♠2♥ flop is spicy, as Bill flops top pair, but is still way behind Bobby’s overpair. Baldwin makes a large cbet of $15,000 into $19,000 and Perkins calls. Pot Size: $49,000
Turn:
The 5♠ on the turn brings in the frontdoor flush and Bobby now fires a rather smallish second barrel of $20,000 into $49,000 (40% pot).
Perkins raises to $60,000 and turns his hand into a bluff by representing the flush. Surprisingly, Baldwin folds surprisingly quickly and Bill Perkins wins a nice $129,000 pot with a well-timed bluff.
Poker Hand of the Week Analysis
Very interesting hand. Let’s go through it step by step.
Preflop Bill Perkins makes a loose button raise with the intention to steal the dead money as there is a straddle by Bobby Baldwin. The latter however picks up Pocket Jacks and has a very easy 3-bet. Now 106s is actually a fold, but Perkins decides to gamble and to see a flop.
The 10-high flop spells trouble for Bill as he flops top pair, but is way behind against Bobby’s overpair. Baldwin correctly chooses a larger cbet sizing of 79% pot as there is a flush draw and he needs to protect his hand from overcards.
On the turn the flush comes in and Baldwin makes small second barrel of $20,000 into $49,000. This looks weak and Perkins correctly identifies it as weakness by raising to $60,000.
Now the action comes back to Bobby Baldwin, who almost instantly mucks his hand, which clearly is a mistake! Baldwin not only has an overpair, but also the Jack of Spades, so he shouldn’t fold here.
As insult to injury, Baldwin actually has Perkins crushed and is a 91% favourite to win the hand.
Bobby made two mistakes in this hand: Firstly to lead small and secondly to fold. A simple check-call would have done the trick!
Poker Hand of the Week Conclusion
At first glance this looks like Bill Perkins nicely turned his top pair into a bluff, however in my opinion this is actually a bad fold by Bobby Baldwin.
Baldwin not only has an overpair, but also the Jack of Spades for the Jack-high flush making his hand way too strong to fold to a raise on the turn.
If you play so tight or more precisely weak-tight, then you will get exploited a lot by aggressive opponents like Bill Perkins.
- Get the best rakeback deals
- View all poker strategy articles
- View the latest poker news
Watch the Poker Hand of the Week here:
Terms and conditions apply. New customer offer and 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly! Should you require help regarding your betting pattern, visit www.begambleaware.org
