Season 11 of High Stakes Poker concluded Monday night with Episode 14, which was a continuation of last week’s lineup that saw Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot make his HSP debut.
The game may have seemed familiar to those who follow PokerGO’s shows, and that is because it was shown on live-stream in April in what was dubbed the “cackling” game.
There were multiple rivalries in play at the table, including Matt Berkey vs. Lyn Ji and Berkey vs. Doug Polk. Eric Persson, who was mostly quiet during the episode, was also in the game, while Jean-Robert Bellande and Rob Yong mixed it up.
Polk Flops the Joint
In the first hand of the episode, JRB straddled to $800 and Polk popped it to $2,000 first to act with the Q♣10♣. Airball then looked down as the A♥A♣ and three-bet to $6,500, which Tilly called with Q♥10♥ on the button. Bellande came along from the straddle with his 9♥8♥, Polk called the additional $4,500, and it was four-way action to the flop of 6♣5♣K♣.
Action checked to Airball, and he bet $13,000 with his aces and ace-high flush draw. Both Tilly and Bellande folded, and Polk just called with his flopped club flush. The 4♦ turn was clean for Polk, and he check-called a bet of $50,000.
The 7♠ completed the board on the river and Polk checked for a third time. Airball slowed down by checking behind and Polk tabled his flush to win the $153,100 pot.
At that point in the game, Ann Persson, the wife of Eric Persson, joined the lineup by taking her husband’s spot the game. As longtime commentator AJ Benza pointed out, it was the first time he could recall there ever being three women in a game on High Stakes Poker. While her appearance didn’t last long as Eric soon returned, it was a bit of history for HSP.
Yong vs. Polk
Yong put on the straddle to $800 and Bellande raised to $4,000 first to act with the 7♥6♥. Polk then three-bet to $13,000 with the J♥10♥, Airball called from the button with the 9♦9♣, and Yong came along from the straddle with the K♥10♥.
Bellande called and it was four-way action to the flop of 7♠10♣A♥. Two checks saw Polk bet $17,000, Airball folded, and Yong called with his gutshot. Bellande got out of the way and it was heads-up to the J♠ turn. Yong made his Broadway straight but checked to Polk, who checked behind with two pair.
Yong checked the nuts on the 3♦ turn and Polk bet $50,000. Yong woke up with a check-raise to $200,000 and Polk stood up from his chair and crossed his arms.
“I’m in a bad spot here,” he admitted after retaking his seat. Eventually he called only to see the $487,100 pot pushed to Yong.
Yong Fishhooks Airball
Berkey put on the straddle and Airball raised to $2,000 first to act with his 5♦5♣. Tilly called with the A♦J♦ and Yong three-bet to $13,000 from the button with the J♣J♠. Both Airball and Tilly called and the trio took a flop of 2♥2♣3♠.
Two checks saw Yong continue for $15,000, Airball called, and Tilly got out of the way. The dealer then burned and turned the 7♠ and Airball quickly check-called a bet of $40,000, which brought about the 6♥ on the river.
Airball checked for the third time and Yong checked behind to win a pot worth $150,900.
“You would’ve gotten more,” Airball claimed.
Bellande put on the straddle before Polk raised to $2,000 with the K♣10♠. Persson called out of the big blind with the J♦J♣, Bellande folded, and it was heads-up action to the flop of 8♠Q♣9♥. Persson check-called a bet of $4,000 and the J♥ hit the turn.
Persson made a set and checked to Polk, who bet $7,000 after hitting his gutshot straight. Persson called and the 9♠ paired the board on the river. Persson checked his full house and Polk bet $20,000.
Persson sprung to life with a check-raise to $120,000 and once again Polk got up out of his chair.
“This sucks,” Polk lamented but called nonetheless. Ship the $267,500 pot to Persson.
Bellande Sets Up Airball
Bellande straddled with what turned out to be the 6♠6♥ and Polk double straddled to $1,600. Airball then raised to $25,000 with the A♥A♦ in the cutoff, Bellande moved all in for $148,000, and Polk got out of the way.
Airball snap-called and agreed to run it twice for the $299,300 pot. However, Bellande only wanted to run it once, so that is what they did. It proved to be a wise decision for JRB as the 9♦4♣6♦ flop gave him a set.
Neither the 10♠ turn nor 8♠ river changed a thing and Bellande doubled through Airball.
Last Hand of Season 11
In the final hand of the episode, and of Season 11, Berkey straddled to $800 and Airball double straddled to $1,600. Tilly then raised to $3,200 with the J♥J♣ and Bellande called from the small blind with his K♥5♥.
Berkey called with the 7♠5♣, Airball called with the A♥2♠, and four players went to a flop of J♠9♠5♠. Two checks saw Airball bet the minimum of $400 and Tilly responded with a raise to $7,000. Both JRB and Berkey folded before Airball called and saw the Q♥ appear on the turn.
Airball checked, Tilly bet $15,000 with her set of jacks, and Airball, who had been sipping on a big glass of red wine, check-raised to $50,000. Tilly responded by moving all in for $157,000 and Airball folded giving his opponent the $235,300 pot.
They rabbit hunted to see if Airball would’ve hit the flush – A♣. With that, Season 11 of High Stakes Poker ended.
Past High Stakes Poker Season 11 Episodes
Check out our past recaps from Season 10 of High Stakes Poker on PokerGO:
To watch new episodes of High Stakes Poker, visit PokerGO.
*Images courtesy of PokerGO/Antonio Abrego
Executive Editor U.S.
Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.