Reason Shows Saul He's Relentless

Chad Holloway

Level 25 : 8,000/16,000, 2,000 ante

After bluffing Ben Reason not long ago, Kevin Saul claimed that he was going into his "nit cave" and only playing queens or better. While it wasn't quite queens, Saul found a hand he liked and ultimately paid the price.

With just 25 minute remaining in the night, Saul opened for 35,000 under the gun and was met by a three-bet to 86,000 by Reason in middle position. The rest of the field folded and Saul opted for a four-bet to 163,000. At this point he began a one-sided chat with Reason, what that could be construed by some as needling. Saul told Reason that he looked tired and should give up on the hand. "Live until tomorrow," Saul said.

Reason didn't seem to pay any attention and eventually came out with a five-bet to 351,000. "So you're telling me you are not going to fold," Saul stated. "I might be priced in to see a flop." Saul thought about it for a solid minute while talking aloud before he added, "There is another option." A few moments later he moved all in and Reason called off to create a monster 1.4-million pot, by far the largest of the tournament.

Reason:
Saul:

"That's not a good flop," Saul told his rail, which consisted of Ralph and Aaron Massey, of the . Indeed it wasn't, but the turn looked nice. Saul paired his ace and was a huge favorite in the hand.; in fact, if he could avoid one of two jacks on the river he would take a massive chip lead into Day 3. Just when it seemed that was going to happen, the dealer burned and laid out the ! Reason hit his two-outer to stay alive and take over the chip lead.