Michael Addamo is widely recognized as the best tournament player in the world and in our Poker Hand of the Week he shows why. Addamo shoves All-In on the river in a huge pot with just Queen-high vs. Michael Zhang at the $250,000 Super High Roller Bowl Europe.
Poker Hand of the Week Setup
We are at the $250,000 Super High Roller Bowl Europe Main Event with an absolute elite field and a staggering $3,690,000 up top.
Michael Zhang aka mczhang online has Michael Addamo clearly covered at the start of our Poker Hand of the Week.
Poker Hand of the Week Action
Preflop:
Michael Zhang raises from early position with A♣K♦ and Michael Addamo is the lone caller with Q♥9♥. Everybody else folds. Pot Size: 72,000.
Flop:
Heads-up to a flop of 10♠10♦10♥, which is not a bad flop, when you are holding Ace-King. Addamo checks over to Zhang, who chooses a very small cbet sizing of 16,000 (22% pot).
Michael Addamo instantly senses weakness and check-raises to 48,000. Mczhang isn’t going anywhere though and makes the call. Pot Size: 168,000
Turn:
The 2♠ on the turn is a complete blank and Addamo continues to tell his story of the strong hand by firing a 55,000 second barrel. Since this turn doesn’t changes anything Zhang calls relatively quickly. Pot Size: 278,000
River:
The river is the J♥, which clearly favours the caller’s range as he has much more Jacks than the preflop aggressor. Addamo knows not only that, but also that he can’t win a showdown with Queen-high. The logical consequence is a shove for 229,000.
Incredibly strong line by Addamo, but Michael Zhang does go deep into the tank though. After more than two minutes he finally decides to fold his hand and Michael Addamo gets a full double-up and collects a huge 507,000 pot with Queen-high!
Poker Hand of the Week Analysis
Great bluff and very creative line by Michael Addamo! Let’s take a close look.
Mczhang’s preflop raise with AK is obviously standard, while Michael Addamo could have also folded pre given that he is out of position against a strong opponent. However, Q9s does play well postflop.
Generally this kind of flop structure benefits the preflop raiser, since he is having all bigger pairs in his range making this a good candidate for a continuation bet. Zhang does just that, but Michael Addamo shows, why he is known for some very creative plays, by making a large 3x check-raise. Michael Zhang isn’t going anywhere as Ace-high could still be the best hand and if not he still has equity with the two overcards.
The turn is an absolute blank and Addamo continues his story with a second barrel. Zhang calls again though realizing that this card hasn’t changed anything.
The Jack on the river is the decisive moment in this hand as it clearly favours the caller. Addamo much more Jacks such as KJ, QJ, J10, J9s and J8s in his calling range. On the other hand, Michael Addamo is very polarized here as he either has the Jack or a bluff. Going All-In here with a small to medium pair would be way too risky and doesn’t make any sense.
That’s the reason, why Michael Zhang is tanking for ages before folding his hand.
Poker Hand of the Week Conclusion
This is poker at its finest! Two of the best tournament players in the world go to war and Michael Addamo once again shows, why he currently plays in a league of his own.
Check-raise flop, bet turn, shove river is a very strong line and Addamo knows that he can get a lot of hands to fold here, especially when the Jack hits on the river as he has much more Jacks in his range than Michael Zhang.
Knowing this is one thing, but having the balls to follow through and go for the Triple Barrel Bluff after being called twice in a $250,000 buy-in tournament is another.
Michael Addamo is absolutely fearless, one of the most creative players out there and he has huge balls and that is why he is so good.
- 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. Should you require help regarding your betting pattern, please visit www.begambleaware.org
