Just in the Nick of Time

[user4144]

I've seen players pull a muscle trying to get back to their seat in time for a hand, and sometimes even exit the tournament for their efforts. On this occasion, however, Melissa Hayden's late charge was worth the extra stretch.

"I was trying to hold his hand," smiled Audley Harrison as Hayden arrived just in the nick of time. Something told me that the dealer wouldn't have been able to resist. Upon returning, Hayden duly announced raise and threw in 1,100 from UTG+1. Harrison and the big blind both called, although the latter counted out chips for a raise before opting to tread cautiously.

On the {8-Spades} {4-Clubs} {2-Diamonds} flop, all three players tapped the table, but come the {K-Hearts} turn, Hayden took it down with a bet of 3,500. "I should have raised preflop," confessed with the big blind with a sign. "I wish you had," replied Hayden.