Poker is a game where you need to take calculated risks, but the white-bearded high-stakes newcomer Vladimir Korzinin believes that audacity or bold play turns the odds in certain moments. Yes, the newcomer from Estonia who burst onto live poker scene in 2024 with a third-place finish in the Mystery Bounty at European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus last month, played some crazy hands at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Monte-Carlo where he stunned the field with a second-place finish in Event #8 – $200K Triton Invitational in Monte Carlo and then followed that with a victory in Event#12 $150K NLH 8-Handed for $4.35 million.
He quickly grabbed the attention of almost the entire poker community due to a series of deep runs and crazy bold play at the Triton Monte Carlo series. Poker fans quickly dubbed him as “Gambledore” as he put several top pros including recent poker hall of famer Patrik Antonius and German poker superstar Fedor Holz in Monte Carlo. Here we bring you one of his craziest hands that he played in heads-up against Ossi Ketola from Finland in Event #12 – $150K NLH 8-Handed.
In the final hands-up battle of Event #12 – $150K NLH 8-Handed against Finland’s Ketola, Korzinin shoved for around 15 big blinds with 7♠ 2♠, the widely considered worst starting hand in Texas Hold’em. Ketola, holding a stronger hand with K♥ 9♣, quickly called the shove.
Risky Bluff or Genius Play? And Why It Stunned the Community?
Shoving 7-2 especially in a high-stakes tournament worth millions is a little unconventional and shocking. It was a crazy move and stunned the community with some in the community questioning Korzinin’s rationale, while others admiring the old man for his fearless and crazy playing style.
Flop Drama
The 5♠ 6♠ 4♣ flop gave the 69-year old man both a flush and straight draw and unpredictability of the 7-2 shove made some sense on the dramatic flop.
River Magic
The turn 9♦ gave Ketola top pair but the magical river 3♥ completed straight for Korzinin, leaving his opponent reeling and the viewers gasping. This once again reminded of the volatile nature of poker where even the worst hands like 7-2 can prevail and shift the momentum with the right combo of luck and bold play.
Impact of the Hand
The hand gave Korzinin the much-needed double up, shifting the heads-up momentum in his favor and he later went on to close it out in style. His daring shove not only helped him secure the title but also a career-high $4.35 million, which boosted his live tournament earnings to $7,896,800.
Final Words
The way Korzinin played this hand in the heads-up play might seem reckless to some, but it will be remembered as one of the craziest moments in history. It indicates that it is not just the cards but the courage to play them in certain moments makes the real difference sometimes. Although it must have looked a crazy move to some, it was probably Korzinin’s a little unconventional but highly effective bold play in the given moment and it eventually worked out for him.
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Image & Hand Courtesy: Triton Poker
