Poker Web Watch / Dave Allan / 19 January 2009 / Leave a comment

Ask any poker player to describe a sick hand they are aware of and I bet at least one of them will mention the Phil Ivey vs Paul 'Action' Jackson when they were heads-up at the Monte Carlo Millions.

With 44,000 chips already in the pot, Jackson limps from the button with 6s 5d which prompts Ivey to make it 60,000 to go, holding the raggedy Queen-eight off-suit. Jackson calls after some thought. The flop of 7c Jc Jh completely misses both players but that did not stop them from entering a raising war that has to be seen to be believed.

Ivey opens for 80,000 and after some deliberation, Jackson raises a further 170,000 chips. Ivey obviously does not believe the British player and makes it 320,000 to play which should be enough to make Jackson end his bluff. This was not the case however and he raised to 470,000 on a complete bluff.

Amazingly, Ivey, after much thought, announces he was all-in, with nothing but Queen high! Jackson realises there is nothing that Ivey would bet like that, that he could beat and eventually folds with over half his stack in the middle of the table. Poker at its purest.

This sick hand is part of the Ten Sick Poker Hands series brought to you by Poker Web Watch