WPH #578: Was THIS Too MUCH???

highstakespoker #pokerstrategy #thelodge

When playing in a high stakes poker cash game for thousands of dollars, people would expect the atmosphere at the poker table to be very serious. But, at the Lodge Card Club in Texas, was this too much as Llama decides to put on the ultimate ‘poker face’ when he flops trips against Trey’s pocket aces. Will Trey be able to make a remarkable fold, or will Llama crack the bullets and be out of line in his celebrations?

Preflop, when there’s a 3-bet followed by a cold 4-bet, the 4-bettor typically will have a very strong range. If you believe that they will only 4-bet with premium poker hands, then 5-betting with pocket aces is a great way to make sure all of the money goes in. On the other hand, if you think they might include some bluffs in their cold 4-bet range, then flatting with aces is a strong alternative option. It keeps the stack to pot ratio (SPR) low while also giving them a chance to continue bluffing postflop.

Jake Abdalla, better known as “Llama,” is a professional poker player from the United States. Abdalla began his career playing low-stakes heads-up No-Limit Hold’em (HUNL) before transitioning into mixed games, specializing in Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). Primarily focused on cash games, he has over $490,000 in live poker tournament earnings, with his largest cash of $90,344 coming from a 72nd-place finish in the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Abdalla is now a regular on The Lodge Poker Live stream. Since 2022, Abdalla has played on over 41 live streamed cash games and has lost over $1,000.

Trey Brabham is a real estate agent and amateur poker player from the United States. He has over $550,000 in live poker tournament earnings, with his largest cash of $103,212 coming from a 4th-place finish in a $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) event at the 2018 WSOP. Since 2021, Trey has played over 56 live-streamed cash games and has won over $200,000.

In early 2022, poker professionals Doug Polk, Brad Owen and Andrew Neeme joined forces to acquire a controlling stake in The Lodge Poker Club & Card Room, which happens to be the largest poker establishment in Austin, Texas. This exclusive poker club, accessible only to its poker members, boasts an impressive array of amenities, including over 80 poker tables of cash games and poker tournaments, operating around the clock. Additionally, The Lodge provides an inviting ambiance with 40 large screen TVs, allowing poker club members to enjoy sports entertainment whilst playing poker or while relaxing in the cozy waiting area. The live poker stream includes commentary from Skull Mike and Slick Rick, who have been long time regulars at The Lodge Poker Club. They provide viewers with poker strategy insights, complemented by a perfect blend of humor. Lodge Card Club has bought San Antonio’s largest poker room, Rounders Card Club, which opened in July 2024. The new Lodge Card Club San Antonio will relocate to a larger space to host bigger poker tournaments and events. Chaz Gill, known as Big Daddy Chaz, will join Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen as a partner to help meet the local poker community’s needs.

🔍 Preflop:
Trey raises to $100 from the lojack with pocket aces before Florida Bill decides to 3-bet to $250 from the cutoff with pocket tens. After the button and small blind fold, Llama decides to cold 4-bet to $1,605 with Q5 of hearts. Trey slowplays the American Airlines as he just smooth calls. Billy chooses to fold his medium pocket pair and the two poker players head to the flop.

💸 Flop – 5d 5s 3s:
Llama’s trash poker hand flops best on the low paired board as he improves to trips. He makes a continuation bet of $1,100, which Trey just calls, holding the best overpair, with a backdoor straight draw to the wheel and a backdoor flush draw.

💣 Turn – 2d:
A few straights come in on the turn, but this doesn’t slow down Llama from being aggressive. He fires a second barrel of $1,800 with three of a kind and the action is on Trey with his two bullets. Will Trey commit all of this stack with aces and shove all in or will he think Llama made a move with a game theory optimal (GTO) hand like ace-five suited? Stay tuned to the end of this crazy poker hand to find out what happens.

Jonathan Little analyzes live poker hands from TV poker shows such as Poker After Dark, Hustler Casino Live, The Lodge Poker Club & PokerGO. He also analyzes popular poker vloggers such as Rampage Poker, Brad Owen, Jaman Burton, Ashley Sleeth, Wolfgang Poker and others!

You will also find many poker hands on this channel that contain some of the biggest names in the poker world such as; Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Doug Polk, Garrett Adelstein, Tom ‘Durrrr’ Dwan, Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates, Fedor Holz & many more!

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