Hulyk Over Haxton

Shamus

Level 8 : 400/800, 100 ante

A big war-of-wills just occurred in a hand between Dar'Ya Hulyk and Isaac Haxton. They'd gotten about 20,000 in the middle by the time the turn had arrived with the board showing . Hulyk checked, and Haxton bet 13,000. Hulyk sat quietly for a short while, then check-raised to 30,000. Haxton paused a few beats as well, then made the call.

The river then brought the , both adding a third spade and pairing the board. This time Hulyk sat motionless for over a minute before setting out a bet of 25,000, then looking across the table at Haxton.

Haxton didn't move initially, sitting frozen with his left hand outstretched on the felt and resting his cheek in his right fist. Suddenly after about a half-minute he moved, using his left hand to slide out a column of chips to raise to 75,000 without moving his cheek from his fist.

At that Hulyk looked up at the ceiling with a nervous smile, then closed her eyes and returned to the tank for another long period of thought. She had but 22,000 or so behind, so to call would mean risking her tournament life.

Finally she found a call. Haxton immediately turned over for a straight. Hulyk also quickly tabled her hand — — and Haxton nodded at her call and hand.