Famous poker hands

Doyle Brunson 10-2

This hand was made famous by Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson, one of the all-time poker legends and a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. Brunson won the World Series of Poker Championship event in consecutive years (1976 and 1977). In 1976, Brunson’s last opponent was Jesse Alto, who had Ace-Jack. Brunson had the 10 and the 2 of spades. In the previous hand, Brunson had just hit a big pot and called Alto’s raise before the flop. The flop came AJ-10, Alto got a pair of two and Brunson got a pair of ten. When a 2 rolled, Brunson pressed Alto. The river brought another 10 and Brunson made a full house (three 10s and two 2s). This easily beat Alto’s two pairs and Brunson won his first championship.

Ironically, Brunson was 10-2 again the following year, when the Championship was reduced to Brunson and Bones Berland. Berland was 8-5 when the flop fell 10-8-5. The turn cards were a two, giving both players two pairs. Berland moved with everything. The flop brought another 10 giving Brunson another full house of three 10s and two 2s, and his second World Series of Poker championship.

Black 9s, the hand of Phil Helmuth

In the main event of the 1989 World Series of Poker, Johnny Chan looked unbeatable. Chan was the defending champion of the back-to-back WSOP having won both in 1987 and 1988. Chan was a seasoned veteran and Helmuth was the young “Poker Brat.” Helmuth, known for his outgoing style of intimidating approach, had about twice as many chips as Chan. The 1989 WSOP came down to Helmuth with Black 9, 9 of spades and 9 of clubs. Chan had the ace and jack of spades.

Helmuth made an initial bet. Chan raised about a third of his stack, and Helmuth immediately moved all in. Chan called with everything he had. The flop came KK-10 with no clubs, which gave Helmuth two pairs and Chan didn’t help. He needed an ace or a jack, but the turn brought the queen of spades and the river the 6 of spades. With the help of his black nine, Helmuth became the youngest World Series of Poker champion at the time.

Semi-Bluff 8-6 by Dan Harrington

“Action” Dan Harrington is a longtime WSOP player who is respected by his peers for his solid play. His style is in stark contrast to the high risk freewheeling approach of many younger and inexperienced online poker players.

Harrington’s semi-close reputation gave him the ability to catch other players off guard. At the final table of the 2004 WSOP main event, Action Dan faced David Williams, a rising star in the world of poker. Harrington held 8-6 with 5-3-2-9 showing on the board. This gave Harrington two inside straight draws, which meant he needed a 4 or 7 on the river to give him the straight. Harrington moved all in, probably hoping to get Williams out, but Williams called with two low pairs. The river gave Williams a full house and eliminated Harrington from the tournament.