In a stunning turn of events that left poker fans buzzing, Justin Gavri pushed his luck to the extreme during the final episode of High Stakes Poker’s Season 15. The recreational high roller, already known for his string of misfortunes on the show, appeared tipsy as he jammed all-in multiple times before even peeking at his cards. This bold, blind betting spree ended in disaster, costing him big stacks in front of a stunned table. What drove this chaotic finish, and how does it cement his place in poker lore?
High Stakes Poker Season 15 wrapped up with Episode 17, streamed exclusively on PokerGO in late December 2025. The game took place at the ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, where players battled in no-limit Texas hold’em with blinds climbing to $6,400. Justin Gavri’s performance turned into a spectacle of reckless moves and crushing losses that highlighted his ongoing battle with bad breaks.
Gavri started strong by scooping a massive $200,000 pot early on. He raced against Andrew Robl’s pocket kings with an unseen hand and hit the board just right to win. Fans watching at home cheered this rare victory for the underdog player.
But the mood shifted fast. In a quadruple-straddled pot, action folded to Gavri in the third straddle position. Without glancing at his cards, he raised $50,000 in the dark. Robl called without looking too. They flipped one card each: Robl showed the king of clubs, while Gavri had the eight of hearts. The board came down king of spades, six of hearts, five of hearts, ten of spades, and seven of spades. Robl paired his king for the win, and Gavri’s second card, the queen of diamonds, did nothing to save him.
This set off a chain of dark all-ins. Gavri and Robl agreed to repeat the $50,000 blind bet if it folded to them again, which it did. Robl revealed a seven of diamonds, Gavri a seven of clubs. The flop paired Robl’s seven with a six of diamonds, sealing another loss for Gavri.
Gavri’s String of Blind Bets and Big Losses
As the episode progressed, Gavri’s decisions grew bolder and riskier. He sipped wine throughout the session, which seemed to fuel his aggressive style. Commentators noted his apparent intoxication, adding to the drama on screen.
In one heated spot, Gavri four-bet $40,000 preflop holding king of hearts and three of hearts. Robl shoved all-in with ace of spades and king of clubs, and the hand ended right there with Robl’s ace high taking it down.
The blind bets continued. Gavri shoved $80,000 as the double straddle without looking. Robl called, and Gavri even paused to pour more wine before revealing his king of hearts against Robl’s six of clubs. The board of ten of clubs, six of spades, nine of spades, ace of clubs, and eight of clubs gave Robl a pair, and Gavri’s jack of clubs as his second card couldn’t catch up.
To break down these key all-in moments, here’s a quick overview:
| Bet Amount | Opponent | Gavri’s Revealed Cards | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 (first dark) | Andrew Robl | 8♥ (second: Q♦) | Loss (Robl pairs king) |
| $50,000 (repeat dark) | Andrew Robl | 7♣ (board pairs Robl’s 7♦) | Loss |
| $80,000 (dark straddle) | Andrew Robl | K♥ (second: J♣) | Loss (Robl pairs six) |
| $100,000 (final hand) | Andrew Robl | 8♠ 6♦ | Loss (Robl hits pair) |
Each loss piled on the frustration. After the $80,000 beat, Gavri vented, “Bro, how many flips do I have to do with the guy? I can’t win one. It’s unbearable. What the heck?”
Clashes with Other Pros Add to the Drama
Gavri didn’t just tangle with Robl. He faced off against Nik Airball in a tense bluff gone wrong. Gavri shoved $91,000 on the river with bottom pair, but Airball held top pair and snapped him off. The commentator quipped, “Airball, you got him hook, line, and sinker. This guy is stone hammered. Top pair.”
Later, Gavri moved all-in on the turn with two pair against Airball’s top pair. They chopped the pot after running the river twice, a small mercy in an otherwise brutal night.
After rebuying, Gavri shoved $50,600 with ace of spades and jack of hearts. Jon Isaac called with ace of clubs and king of spades. They ran it twice, and both boards favored Isaac’s king kicker, costing Gavri another $100,000.
These encounters showed how Gavri’s high-risk plays clashed with seasoned pros, turning the table into a pressure cooker. Airball even remarked after Robl’s final win, “You won every one. What the heck?” The energy at the table mixed shock with amusement as Gavri’s stack dwindled.
The episode featured a star-studded lineup including Phil Laak, who returned for the season, and others like Jennifer Tilly. But Gavri stole the spotlight with his unorthodox approach.
A Legacy of Misfortune in Poker Circles
Justin Gavri has earned a reputation as one of the unluckiest players in High Stakes Poker history. Over multiple seasons, he has suffered countless bad beats, from river cards that crush his hands to flips that always go against him. A 2025 analysis by poker experts reviewed his appearances and found he lost over 70% of major pots, far above the average variance in the game.
This isn’t new for the recreational high roller. In Season 14, Gavri actually went on a hot streak, winning several big hands after a long dry spell. That heater, as fans called it, came after months of tough losses that made him a fan favorite for his resilience.
Experts say his style mixes bold aggression with sheer bad timing. One poker analyst from a 2025 report noted that Gavri’s decisions often lead to races where the odds should even out, but they rarely do for him. This Episode 17 pushed that narrative to new heights, with four straight blind all-ins against the same opponent.
Fans love this side of poker. It shows the human element, where even deep pockets can’t buy good fortune. For casual viewers, it raises questions about tilt and alcohol’s role in high-stakes games.
As the credits rolled, Gavri’s night left everyone talking. His total losses topped $280,000 in those blind bets alone, a sum that would shake most players.
In the end, Justin Gavri’s wild ride in the High Stakes Poker finale reminds us why we tune in: the thrill of unpredictability and the raw emotion of the game. This episode captures the highs and lows that make poker addictive, blending skill with sheer chance in ways that hit close to home for anyone who’s ever gambled big. It sparks hope for comebacks while stirring a bit of fear about overreaching, and fills that curiosity about what goes on behind the felt.
