HAND RECAP (5 handed, final table, 100K/200K blinds - 200K BB ante)

Viktor “Isildur1” Blom (14M chips) raises to 700K from the Small Blind with K♦ 4♠. Jesse Lonis (9.5M chips) calls from the Big Blind with A♠ 3♠.

(Stack size notes: Blom and Lonis are in 2nd and 3rd chip position. The chip leader has 20M. There are two relatively short stacks.)

The flop is 4♣ 4♥ 3♣. Blom bets 400K. Lonis calls.

Turn 6♠. Blom bets 1.45M. Lonis calls.

River Q♠. Blom bets 3.25M. Lonis folds.

Get 33% off Aaron Barone's exclusive training content in the Upswing Lab during the WSOP Winners Sale* at https://upswingpoker.com/the-poker-lab-coaching

*Expires when the 2024 WSOP Main Event ends!

Watch the full final table at https://www.pokergo.com/

Written Version of This Episode

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:29 Viktor Blom’s Strategy from the Small Blind

03:21 Jesse Lonis’s Big Blind Defense with Ace-Three

04:13 Flop Analysis: Viktor’s Trips vs. Jesse’s Pair

05:39 Turn Play: Analyzing the Six of Spades

07:09 River Decision: Queen of Spades and Viktor’s Bet

11:03 Jesse’s Tough River Call or Fold

14:30 Final Thoughts and Tournament Updates

15:31 Upswing Lab Promo and Conclusion

In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, host Mike Brady is joined by tournament pro Aaron Barone to analyze a thrilling hand from the $50,000 buy-in tournament at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). With $2 million on the line for the winner, the stakes are incredibly high, and the episode offers listeners a front-row seat to a deep dive into the key decisions and strategies at play during this final table showdown.

The discussion begins with the setup of the hand featuring Viktor Blom, known as "Isildur1," facing off against Jesse Lonis. With only five players left, each player has secured nearly $500,000, but all eyes are on the top prize. Viktor Blom, holding King-four offsuit, decides to apply pressure on Jesse Lonis, who holds Ace-three of spades in the big blind. The hosts explore the dynamics of this decision, emphasizing how Blom leverages his big stack to exploit the smaller stacks at the table.

As the hand progresses, listeners are walked through the action from the flop to the river, where Blom's aggressive playstyle and calculated bets put Lonis in a challenging spot. The podcast highlights the complexities of tournament play, particularly in a final table setting, where decisions are influenced by Independent Chip Model (ICM) considerations, stack sizes, and the potential pay jumps.

Mike and Aaron examine the critical turn and river decisions, discussing the nuances of continuation betting, sizing strategies, and the balancing act between value betting and bluffing. This poker strategy podcast offers insights into how elite players like Blom navigate high-pressure situations, using both fundamental principles and creative tactics to outmaneuver their opponents.

Tune in to this poker strategy podcast to gain a deeper understanding of advanced tournament strategy, learn how to adjust your play based on varying stack sizes, and pick up practical tips to enhance your decision-making under pressure. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a recreational player looking to sharpen your skills, this episode provides valuable lessons from some of the game's top minds.