Var-Gone-Yi

[user46392]

We're not sure how the action went, but we arrived to find a player in mid position all in with {k-Diamonds} {k-Spades} . Robert Varkonyi on the button was holding {8-Diamonds} {9-Diamonds} .

Board: {10-Clubs} {4-Hearts} {q-Clubs} {5-Spades} {a-Diamonds}

The all-in player doubled up, leaving Varkonyi woefully short on just 16,000 or so. The TV cameras, and indeed your bloggers, decided to wait at the table like vultures circling a wounded deer.

We didn't have to wait long.

Next hand, the same gentleman who had just doubled through Varkonyi raised to 11,000. The gent next to him - let us call him Player 2 - flat-called, and Varkonyi shoved for his last 15,800.

"Think about it before you call," Varkonyi laughed. Both players called.

They checked down the {2-Diamonds} {2-Spades} {2-Hearts} flop and the {5-Diamonds} turn. The initial raiser checked the {q-Spades} river as well, but this time Player 2 bet 7,500.

"Oh no," laughed Varkonyi.

Oh yes.

The initial raiser folded, and Varkonyi turned over {j-Clubs} {j-Diamonds} . Duly Player 2 flipped {a-Hearts} {q-Hearts} for a rivered higher full house, and that was that for the 2002 world champion.