Gary McGinty felt the pain all poker players have at some stage of their poker life – watching an underpair best his premium version.
Smith had opened to 9k and McGinty jammed for around 70k – Smith making the call with 8c 8s. It looked like he would be heading to the six figure club but an ominous flop of 6h Tc 9h meant McGinty wasn’t home & dry just yet.
The turned Qd meant any seven, eight or jack on the river would scupper his celebrations and the 7s arrived to do just that. His displeasure was apparent as he stood up like a bolt, justifiably disappointed with the result. At least this slice of misfortune occurred just inside the payouts – McGinty collecting €405 for his run.
Smith meanwhile is up to 230,000. With chips and what appears to be the poker gods’ blessing behind him, he could well be eyeing up the final table berths and the shiny Hendon Mob trophy.
