Sitbon Takes Half of Bhalla's Stack in First Hand

Calum Grant

Level 1 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

On the first hand of the day, Julien Sitbon limped in first to act before Eshaan Bhalla made it 600 on his direct left. The big blind called as did Sitbon.

The big blind checked the A?10?9? flop which prompted Sitbon to lead out for 200. Balla made it 1,000 which pushed out the big blind. Sitbon responded with a three-bet to 3,200 and Bhalla called.

On the 4? turn, Sitbon continued for another 8,000. Sparks began to ignite as Balla raised again, this time making it 20,000 to go.

Will Jaffe and Nikhil "Nik Airball" Arcot were watching from the side of the table, giving their own commentary while supporting Bhalla.

Sitbon called the raise, which inflated the pot to just shy of 50,000. The 5? river checked through to showdown. The Frenchman tabled his A?9? for two pair and Bhalla mucked.

Airball and Jaffe then playfully needled Bhalla about how he lost half his stack immediately.

"Just one hand," replied Bhalla to his rail and the big blind from the hand cried out "But it's a freezeout!" which received a laugh from everybody within earshot.