High Stakes Poker delivered another heart-stopping episode this week, showcasing the brutal nature of the game when six-figure pots are on the line. Justin Gavri, once again plagued by bad luck, and Markus Gonsalves, who fell victim to the largest pot of Season 14, were front and center in an episode that poker fans won’t soon forget.
A $613K Bad Beat Sends Shockwaves Through the Table
Markus Gonsalves became the latest victim of the poker gods in a dramatic $613,000 hand. It was Marc Kulick who walked away with the spoils, thanks to a miraculous river card that changed everything.
The game, which featured the same lineup as last week, began with over $2.3 million spread across the table. Chip stacks ranged from Andrew Robl’s commanding $795,100 to Justin Gavri’s much smaller $51,300. Despite the disparity, every player was in the mix, proving that no one is safe when luck plays its hand.
Kulick’s River Magic Strikes Again
Jared Bleznick, a seasoned high-stakes player, might want to avoid Kulick at this point. For the second time this season, Bleznick watched a promising hand crumble on the river against Kulick.
The hand began innocently enough, with Kulick limping in on the button holding 8♦ 7♥. Bleznick, in the small blind, found pocket fours (4♠ 4♥) and joined the action. Markus Gonsalves, in the first straddle, entered the fray with a modest J♣ 5♠. The flop of 6♣ 5♥ 9♦ gave Kulick an open-ended straight draw, and Bleznick’s pocket fours turned into a set, prompting a $5,000 bet. Kulick, chasing the straight, called.
The turn, a 7♠, gave Kulick a pair but didn’t complete his straight. Bleznick bet $13,000, and Kulick called once more. Then came the river: 5♦. Kulick’s straight was complete, but Bleznick, confident in his set, went for a $3,000 value bet. Kulick countered with a raise to $50,000. After some thought, Bleznick called, only to see the crushing news: a $143,200 pot slipped away in one of poker’s cruelest twists.
Justin Gavri’s Rough Run Continues
If there’s a poker dictionary entry for “unlucky,” Justin Gavri’s face might appear next to it. Following a painful Episode 2, Gavri returned with a diminished chip stack and a mountain of bad memories. Things didn’t improve.
In a hand featuring a double-straddled pot, Gavri, holding A♠ Q♥, opened to $3,600. Brandon Steven, one of the most respected players in the high-stakes scene, found pocket jacks (J♠ J♦) and three-bet to $11,000. Undeterred, Gavri moved all-in for $50,300. Steven called instantly, and the players agreed to run the board twice.
The first board ran out 2♦ 9♦ 10♠ 3♣ 5♦, leaving Steven’s jacks intact. The second board was even more devastating for Gavri: K♦ K♥ K♣ 9♣ 7♦. Both boards left Steven’s pocket jacks unscathed, and Gavri, hoping to at least chop the pot, found himself walking away empty-handed.
Staggering Chip Counts Highlight Poker’s Brutality
Here’s how the players’ stacks looked at the start of Episode 3:
Player | Chip Stack |
---|---|
Andrew Robl | $795,100 |
Marc Kulick | $645,500 |
Brandon Steven | $615,600 |
Seth Gottlieb | $326,300 |
Jared Bleznick | $303,200 |
Markus Gonsalves | $239,200 |
Justin Gavri | $51,300 |
It’s clear that the swings in high-stakes poker aren’t for the faint of heart. With pots climbing into the six figures regularly, even the most experienced players can find themselves on the wrong side of variance.
What’s Next for This Season of High Stakes Poker?
Season 14 is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic yet. The blend of recreational players like Gavri and high-stakes pros like Robl and Steven ensures a dynamic mix of strategies and outcomes. Fans are left wondering how long Kulick’s hot streak can last and whether Gavri will finally catch a break. For now, all eyes are on the felt as fortunes shift with every deal.