In our Poker Hand Analysis feature every week, we feature a thrilling hand from the live poker scene. Today, we are featuring an epic hand from the recent 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #71: $10,000 LADIES Championship No-Limit Hold’em, which was ultimately won by Japan’s Shiina Okamoto who defeated WPT Global Ambassador and two-time WSOP Circuit ring winner Jamie Kerstetter in heads-up to claim a career-best $171,732 and her maiden WSOP bracelet.
This hand occurred during level 27 with blinds running 40k-80k and ante 80k. This involved Jamie Kerstetter and Israel’s Mor Kamber who ultimately finished fifth for $43,125. Kerstetter raised to 160,000 with A♦ 10♣ and Kamber with J♦ 7♦ made the call from the big blind.
The flop 10♦ 5♦ 4♦ saw Kamber check and Kerstetter bet 90K. Kamber check-raised to 600,000 and Kerstetter four-bet to 1,500,000, forcing Kamber to go all in. Kamber thought for a while and called.
Kamber hit a flush on the flop and was ahead of Kerstetter, who had the ace high flush draw.
Turn: 6♦
The 6♦ appeared on the turn and turned the tide in favor of Kerstetter, giving her ace-high flush.
River: 9♥
With the 9♥ landing on the river, Kamber’s dream for the bracelet was dashed and she was eliminated in 5th place, losing her chips to beloved poker player Kerstetter who eventually finished runner-up for $114,479.
Hand Analysis and Breakdown
Pre-Flop Action:
Kerstetter’s Raise: A♦ 10♣ is a strong starting hand especially in the late stage of the tournament, Kerstetter’s raise was a strategic one. She was hoping to make top pairs, straight and even the flush. By raising 160k, Kerstetter wanted to take control of the pot, applying pressure on the blinds and narrowing the field to just one or two opponents, where her hand could fare better and give her the desired value.
Kamber’s Call: J♦ 7♦ was not strong enough but had some playability with a potential to make flush, straight, and two pairs. This probably led Kamber to make the call. Playing from the big blind, she wanted to see a flop, hoping to hit a strong draw or combination, given the favorable pot odds.
Flop Action
Kamber’s Check: The flop opened 10♦ 5♦ 4♦ where she decided to induce a bet from Kerstetter. By checking, she was potentially looking to build the pot after a bet from Kerstetter and set up a check-raise option.
Kerstetter’s Bet: With the ace-high flush draw on the flop, Kerstetter decided to bet 90k to probably extract value from a weaker hand or potentially take down the pot if Kamber folds. It also opened the possibility of building a big pot if her draw hits.
Kamber’s Check-Raise: Kamber had already hit a flush and decided to check-raise to 600k, probably to protect her hand against higher diamonds that could complete a higher flush and build the pot while she’s ahead.
Kerstetter’s Four-Bet: With top pair and an ace-high flush draw, Kerstetter four-bet to represent strength and pressure Kamber, potentially forcing folds.
Kamber’s All-In Move: With a flush that was vulnerable to a higher flush, Kamber decided to call, committing her stack with her current strong hand but recognizing the risk of a higher flush draw.
Kerstetter took her time but made a bold move, calling with an ace-high flush draw in hope of improving to a flush draw or potentially taking it down with two pairs or top pair in the end.
Turn: 6♦
The 6♦ landed on the turn, giving Kerstetter the higher flush draw with A♦ 10♣.
River: 9♥
The 9♥ changed nothing on the river and Kerstetter’s ace-high flush remains the best hand, winning her the coveted pot to chip up and bust her opponent from the final table of the ladies event.
Conclusion
This hand displays strategic aggression from both players. Kerstetter leveraged her strong draw to apply pressure and build the pot, ultimately hitting her outs to win. Kamber played her strong but vulnerable hand aggressively, understanding the risks but also recognizing the need to protect her equity. This hand highlights the importance of aggressive play, especially in the late stages of a tournament. It also showcases the volatility and excitement present in tournament poker.
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Image Credit: WSOP
