In our Free Poker Hand Analysis feature, we feature some thrilling hands from live poker events happening across the world. Today, we are featuring a gripping hand that unfolded recently at the $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) Rolling Thunder Championship, where Casey Sandretto came out victorious after defeating 2004 WPT Reno Hilton champion Michael Kinney heads up for the title.
ALSO READ: CASEY SANDRETTO WINS WPT ROLLING THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP
Sandretto, who previously had just $160,000 in live tournament cashes, won $246,000 as part of a heads-up deal with Michael Kinney for his latest victory. At the final table of this WPT tournament, we witnessed several thrilling showdowns, including the one featuring the eventual runner-up Michael Kinney and Travis Egbert, who cashed an impressive $140,000 for his third place finish in the event.
During three-handed play at the Rolling Thunder Championship final table , Kinney raised from the small blind to 600,000 with Kd 9c, receiving action from Egbert, seated in the big blind, who held Ks 2s. The flop Ks 6d 4s gave both players the top pair. Kinney, with the superior kicker, initiated a bet of 200k. Egbert called, and they both saw the Qs on the turn, altering little but offering some river chop outs for Egbert with a 6X or 4X on the river. Kinney bet 475k, prompting another call from Egbert.
The river card was the 7c, and Kinney pushed his opponent all in for 1,425,000. Egbert couldn’t make a fold and made the call, ending his tournament journey in third place and earning an impressive $140,000 payday. This hand proved pivotal as it paved the way for Sandretto and Kinney to discuss a heads-up chop a little later, an agreement they agreed and deemed the best play.
Free Poker Hand Analysis/Review
Pre-flop: Kinney’s raise with Kd 9c from the small blind is standard, seeking to gain control and extract value from a wide range. Egbert’s call with Ks 2s from the big blind is understandable given the potential to hit a strong hand.
Flop: Both players hit top pair, with Kinney holding the better kicker. His continuation bet of 200,000 is reasonable, aiming to extract value from the hand. Egbert’s call is sensible, hoping to improve his hand.
The Qd on the turn doesn’t significantly alter the board. Kinney’s bet of 475,000 with his strong holding was a move to further extract value. Egbert’s call was a speculative move, hoping for a favorable river card or potential bluff opportunity.
The 7c on the river also doesn’t change much, and Kinney’s all-in shove was to put Egbert in a tough spot. Egbert’s call reflects his reluctance to fold after investing the major chunk of his chips, despite facing a likely stronger hand.
Overall, Kinney played the hand aggressively, leveraging his hand with a better kicker, while Egbert’s passive approach ultimately led to his elimination in the end. Check out the video below to watch the full hand.
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Image and Video Credit: WPT
