The 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event is in full swing, and that means it’s time to see if legend Daniel Negreanu can best the giant field and win the coveted bracelet.
If he keeps doing what we’ve seen him do time and time again, he’ll be in good shape. Negreanu is known for reading opponents brilliantly and acting upon the information he gets by talking out loud, whether it’s to himself or to his opponent.
He did it again over the weekend on Day 1B. He was facing off against Carol Harmon, who raised before the flop with pocket Aces (one of them is a spade) and Negreanu called with King of spades and Queen of clubs.
Watch what happens here and we’ll break it down:
Immediately he engages with Harmon, who watches as three spades comes out. It’s a huge hand for her already with the pair of Aces, but now she has the best spades draw for a flush. Negreanu also has a shot at the flush with his King, so he checks and calls a 5,000-chip bet.
Out comes the Queen of spades, giving both players the flush but Harmon has him beat. Again, he checks and Harmon throws out 8,000 chips. Negreanu has over 77,000 in chips so he could afford to perhaps take a chance at a pot that had grown to 23K-plus, but he starts chatting … and folds, asking, “Did you have the Aces with the Ace of spades or just the Ace of spades? Or just a complete bluff?”
Of course, she wouldn’t answer. But Negreanu avoided serious trouble there, and maybe it’s because of the information he gleaned from interacting with Harmon.
