In an epic clash at PokerGO Tour’s Event #8: $25,200 No-Limit Hold ’em of the 2025 U.S. Poker Open, Shannon Shorr and Nacho Barbero collided in a set over set confrontation that completely reshaped the tournament’s trajectory. This was a crucial three-handed play that swung the momentum in the final stretch of the tournament. Here is how this gripping hand unfolded.
The Setup: Three-Handed Play
With the tournament down to the final three players, the game was intense and pressure was sky-high. Blinds were at 20,000/40,000 with a 40,000 ante. Shannon Shorr, who was on the button, opened to 85,000 with 4♠ 4♦, which is a standard raise with a small pocket pair, considering the position and stage in the final stretch of the tournament.
Nacho Barbero, seated in the big blind, three-bet to 260,000 with J♠ J♥. His sizing was solid in a move to extract value from his premium hand.
Shorr, holding a playable hand in a good position, made the call. While fours are not considered good enough against a three-betting range, the implied odds of flopping a set, potentially made Shorr to go for the call.
Flop: J♣ 8♥ 4♥ – Set Over Set Cooler
Boom. The flop brings J♣ 8♥ 4♥ where both players hit a set—a classic cooler scenario in poker with Shorr holding a bottom set and Barbero having a top set. Instead of playing his hand fast, Barbero checked, inducing a bet from his opponent. As expected, Shorr, holding a bottom set, bet 225,000, aiming to extract value. Barbero opted to smartly check-call, almost under-representing his monster to trap Shorr.
The Turn: 10♦ – Slowplaying Continues
The 10♦ did not change the board texture much. Barbero again checked, continuing to trap and project weakness. Shorr, confident in the strength of his bottom set but probably unaware of Barbero’s monster hand, fired a huge bet of 675,000 bet into the 1,030,000 pot. Barbero played smart again, just calling – a deliberate trap aimed at disguising the true strength of his hand and ensuring that the pot keeps swelling.
The River: K♠ – Slowplaying Still Continues
The K♠ river was harmless, not completing any flushes or the straights. Barbero checked for the third time, continuing his trap for Shorr.
Shorr could have checked back but unaware of Barbero’s monster lurking, he bet 1,600,000, showcasing a confident play in a move to extract value. Barbero, with the top set, made a snap call, racking in a massive pot that swung the chip lead in his favour and left Shorr as the short stack.
Shorr’s Comeback And Barbero’s Exit
After the hand, the momentum shifted in favour of Barbero. He took the chip lead and looked in good shape to win the event. But Shorr showed grit, coming back strongly and snatching the lead after the brutal cooler.
With his unmatched his resilience, Shorr recovered, entered the heads-up with the chip lead, and clinched the coveted title, earning $529,250 and also the U.S. Poker Open series title with his two victories. Barbero, though could not go all the way, pocketed a hefty $346,750 as the runner-up.
A Cooler That Could Not Freeze Shorr
This set-over-set cooler did leave Shorr as the short stack but could not stop him from winning the tournament. It is a clear reminder that poker is not just about the cards, it is about how determined you stay in the game. While Barbero was able to extract value by slowplaying during three-handed play, Shorr’s grit and composed demeanor paid off in the end.
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Source: PGT Blog
