Esfandiari's 15-Minute Tank
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Greg Merson opened to 27,000 in the cutoff, Antonio Esfandiari three-bet to 65,000 on his direct left on the button, and the action folded back to Merson. The 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event champ made it four bets, reraising to 215,000, and the defending champion of this event called to see a flop.
The dealer fanned the 
, and Merson led out for 255,000. Esfandiari made the call, the turn brought the 
, and Merson checked.
Esfandiari took the opportunity to bet, tossing out 335,000, and Merson tank-called, using a T250,000 chip and some others.
"Here come the lavenders," Scott Seiver commented.
The 
hit the felt, completing the board, and almost instantly, Merson moved all in for effectively 1.8 million, as that's what Esfandiari had left. Merson shoved for a little over 1.9 million. Esfandiari went into the tank.
"I think I have to pay you off," Esfandiari said after a minute or so, adding something about Merson having a flush.
The ESPN cameras surrounded the table, and so did other players as several minutes elapsed.
"Will you show me if I fold?" Esfandiari asked Merson.
The Main Event champ remained silent. For the entire tank, he rested his head on his right hand and shuffled a stack of blue T5,000 chips with the other. His eyes, hidden behind a pair of prescription sunglasses, remained focus on one single spot on the felt.
Finally, after roughly 15 minutes, Esfandiari folded.
"I'll give five-hundred dollars to the charity of your choice if you show ace-king of diamonds," Seiver told Merson.
No answer.
"Two-thousand?" Seiver upped the price.
It was too late. Merson's cards were in the muck, and a great big smile crept across his face as he dragged the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
3,435,000
665,000
|
665,000 |
|
||
|
1,800,000
-970,000
|
-970,000 |
|
||