How Bill Klein OWNS High Stakes Poker Pros (Including Me!)

[@jonnyhatter35]

man, looking back at that ancient hand from HSP where Bill bluffed Phil made me realize how long Bill's been playing vs very tough opponents. That old timer is a "recreational" in name only, and make no mistake. He can hang with the best of them.

[@id10t98]

People like Klein have been playing real poker in private games for decades, not the luck bucket, brain-dead version Texas Hold 'Em. Games like 5 card draw, 7-stud and even games with wild cards require a far greater level of understanding of people and odds and this is where people like Bill Klein have made their mark.

[@jnprather]

@@id10t98 lolwut

[@marce4241]

i wouldn't care about the cash either playing for pennies. People who are not scared to lose thousands are tough to play against. No scared money at all there.

[@maximelaurier6902]

Not really. He's too old to be considered a serious player

[@joshuapatrick682]

its hard to play against folks who dont care about the money…Bill klein has won millions in the game hasnt kept any of it…that tells you all you need to know about the man.

[@thedegentwins]

I love this from Bill. And looking at it again, I see Arends, maybe he's played live a lot but sounds like he plays online mostly. Bill has a ton of live experience. I feel like he saw that turn call from Arends and how he looked, and acted off that and some other reads he had. Great hand by Bill.

[@Johnny-cz2wv]

It's just buttonclicking tho

[@davidcapeeko7376]

Love that you both covered this hand & gave Bill credit. Dude gets shouted out for his generosity but he is a killer as well! EDIT: And a shoutout to the late Norm Macdonald on the old school call, RIP.

[@Coooooz]

That throwback to Q10 though 🫡🥵 Great video again, Phil. Loving the hand breakdowns.

[@johnlocke4715]

When Bill said “there was a 9 out there, that’s the only reason I did it” can someone please explain why for a fish like me?

[@KenDavis-uo8kq]

He has a superstition about 9. There’s nothing strategic or theoretical about it. It’s his lucky number.

[@DavidL1986]

People aren’t giving bill enough credit here - you summed it up perfectly. He defended turn then realised on the river villain doesn’t have queen high or ace high. But he can likely get him off it by bluffing.. and my man pulled the trigger! Good bluff by Bill

[@Vikinginvietnam]

Nice of you to make this video about Bill! He seems like a great guy to have around😍

[@ldmb1966]

Superb content as always Phil! Loving the breakdowns. Would love to see some PLO hands get in the mix. I know they're not as popular as NLHE breakdowns, but hearing you talk about PLO is the best. Keep it up!

[@PhilGalfond]

Appreciate it, thank you! I love doing PLO, too. I do PLO content mostly reviewing my own hands because that's all I play these days, but I'll stay on the lookout for interesting TV PLO hands in the future.

[@thomaspeebles4356]

⁠@@PhilGalfondreview the hellmuth plo boat river fold

[@brickowski1370]

would also love to see some more plo hand breakdowns

[@Ravenz4]

I don’t think it was a value/block bet on the turn - it was setting up the pot size so that if a reasonable river came up (which it did) he would have enough of a stack to put pressure with his river bluff. You could argue his check-raise flop was also setting up for his two street bluff

[@foodguy9954]

Curious why 8s are bad blockers. Seems like it would be beneficial to block 78? Or is that cancelled out by the fact that you also block T8?

[@piterbt2969]

That QT fold 😂😂😂

[@PhilGalfond]

Good times.

[@losyart]

i dont like check/raise on flop from Klein, but if u did raise u better pull the trigger all the way cause u might get some folds . He was kinda lucky with his bluff. Im curious if he could get a fold from nine or even overpair cause he was reppresenting stronger hands. It was creative but on the edge i personally would play this hand way more passive . It worked perfectly though kudos to him. I think he is far from amateur i actually think he got his game on pretty high-level

[@Mwuesse]

the raise is sort of standard for reasons phil mentioned - it's protection/v-bet against a lot of hands that might be c-betting too frequently. You don't do it all the time though. However turn bet is where it stops being standard - now you don't need protection and you're not getting value from enough worse hands. So here, it's a bluff and following through river makes sense.

[@romkastomka1510]

Could someone explain, Doyle says, there was a 9 out there, Bill agrees and say that's why he bluffed, why so? Thanks

[@嫖白-p1c]

He’s using his omc image to bluff😂

[@Pokerfarhang]

Can we say a checkback on the floo from 88 perfoms better, especially at this stage of the tournament?

[@Dagonavleski]

Nice walking us through the hand! Klein has some class, what a chill oldie

[@bojanfrntic8596]

Dear Phil I have watched a few poker shows where you played no-limit poker and I think you deserve more respect for no-limit poker. I remember one hand in a tournament when you played against Phil Laak and you made one of the best folds I've ever seen when you folded the second strongest hand only that Phil Laak hand would have beaten you and you made a great fold. Excellent poker hand analysis.

[@joshuapatrick682]

ultimately Klein proved that position at the table is less important than position off the felt....

[@johnd5619]

would LOVE to hear a bill klein breakdown of this hand. I have a hard time believing it would would sound like anything like what phil just said.

[@insomnyteq]

" well i raised cause i had a pair and probably he didnt yet. then on the turn i didnt konw what to do so i just bet, i only bet like a million seemed reasonable, so i bet a small amount and when he just called i figured he had AK. " - Bill Klien Probably

[@jaredgonzales9498]

Phil your content is incredible, love hearing you references your high stakes poker hand, I remember watching that hand when it first aired, and crediting you for the fold, and Bill for the bet!! Any thoughts on Bill's live read of the hand? As a trained psychologist I always enjoy hearing your thoughts on live reads.

[@sampic6347]

Bill out there clicking buttons in the highest stakes, good for him

[@budthebud9108]

I remember galfond saying it was a snap fold, but he didn't want to embarrass klein so he took some time before throwing cards in

[@ekw555]

first of all - huge props to Bill K. it's not just that he does not care abt the money. he has a LOT of game. and donating your wins to charity is big, but matching your losses and donating that is such a BOSS move, it's hard to comprehend. next - how is it that after all the years that have passed since that HSP hand, Bill looks the same age and Phil looks younger?!?!?!? what witchcraft is this?

[@damianplasencia2708]

younger? Get your eyes checked buddy XD

[@ekw555]

@@damianplasencia2708 he looks a lot more fit. "young Phil" looks . . . like he spends the entire day at the PC. sort of . . doughy.

[@samuraijack1371]

Great Stuff. Loving the new format. Probably the best format yet. I love the analysis though I maybe mix in a bit of solver analysis though not make it the main focus. Just a bit extra bit for the solver nerds like me😊

[@iamamish]

I really cannot imagine the pressure of a decision like that. You're in front of many people, and there is so much money at stake. I'm sure decisions like that get easier with experience (especially experience in these high-pressure environments) but it can't ever get *that* easy.

[@peterluvssouthpark]

Great video thanks Phil!

[@tedjung6978]

Phil - Fundamental question. What’s a merge bet and is it ever a good idea?

[@MTTPokerSchool]

Great video, thanks for sharing Phil. Quick question: Do PokerGo let you use their footage now or did you have to ask for special permission?

[@FruitOfTheSpirit]

Great explanations!

[@ChristopherElwell]

Great content! What do you mean when you say Bill may be hoping to get some protection via his turn bet? What does 'protection' mean in this case?

[@TheMartinTD]

I assume he means that his bet kept him in control.

[@SuperMentalMicky]

Why are 8s bad blockers to have here?

[@galaxygalaxy4429]

After Phil Ivey, Phil Galfond is my favorite player. Nice content Phil and ty! My favorite of all time is Stu Ungar though😅

[@wiselettuce8715]

Can someone explain to me why 88 blocked T7? Everytime i thought i figured it out, it escapes me

[@dbgames_SQS]

Makes the straight less likely, so 88 blocks 10-8 and 10-7 on this board.

[@Mwuesse]

It doesn't, it blocks T8.

[@MasterYodaaa]

Amazing review!

[@LapesFame]

Soon we will meet. Your thought processes are exact most cases to what I’m thinking while playing. Till then GL. Vegas 25-50 plo aria when your ready.

[@palokanjefe4326]

Great video!

[@nietaki]

On High stakes poker his hand was genuinely shaking :D

[@j.sarnak1391]

Gee, look at "babyface" Phil from way back. I still love the episodes of High stakes poker

[@jamespearson00]

Ive played Bill at 2/5 where the 10 straddle was on half the time. Bill managed to bluff me off of bottom full house in a huge multiway pot, but I got it back when I flopped top set against his bottom 2, then got even more when he tried to bluff me again with me holding the nut straight. Hes a solid player, very aggressive. Was one of the funnest sessions with him in the pot.

[@noahflaum3709]

He's clicking buttons to get the guy to fold. Putting ICM pressure on people who care about money isn't a bad idea.

[@PhilGalfond]

It's really not!

[@glennhagstedt]

I mean poker is kind of an easy game if you have unlimited amounts of money, i dont even understand why he plays, gotta be so many better ways to spend your money. Half the thrill of the game is because the money actually means something, if you already have enough money that you never have to worry about it for the rest of your life i dont really see why anyone would play, for the love of the game? yeah maybe, because you like crushing souls? yeah maybe.

[@GrizzlyAdams101]

​@glennhagstedt 10s of millions of people play poker without even playing for real money, never mind the stakes bill plays. It's a fun game, that's all there is to it.

[@glennhagstedt]

@@GrizzlyAdams101 I would rather kill myself then play for playmoney.

[@-crypt0]

​@@glennhagstedtworst take ever ?

[@Tobosaku77]

Why are 8s bad blockers?

[@julianfaron]

Bill Klein the Goat Rec. Or as Kakitee calls him - the most reggy fish, which is a high compliment.

[@noThankyou-g5c]

dude what the hell, ive seen this thumbnail a few times since it was posted and EVERY time i thought it was brad owen in the thumbnail! 10 seconds into the video i look back at the thumbnail, now knowing it has nothing to do w brad owen and it very clearly isnt him 😂 its like the photo changed weird how the brain works haha

[@louismaberry9683]

Excellent job Phil!

[@magnetohex703]

Phil Galvin?, you're a legend right at the end of your video I'm not going to say nothing all I have to say is you're a legend laying down your hand. You are a true gentleman you made that old man his day. You sir?, is a gentleman.😮😂👏👏💯

[@stevenwalker9013]

I remember watching the Q10 hand and thinking this guy thinks he is playing PLO! Lol folding the nut straight on a paired board. But in all seriousness those are tough spots against someone you perceive as conservative. Nice review

[@SpitFire1940]

Let's face it, while Galfond is a brilliant player and is OG, Klien had no idea where Jan was and Klien is one of those uncles who once they like their hand they don't care what the other person has.

[@TheMartinTD]

Hmmm that’s pretty disrespectful, Bill has been playing poker at high stakes for decades, pretty sure he knows what he’s doing.

[@SpitFire1940]

@@TheMartinTD A billionaire playing high stakes? Is that how he made his billions? Am not saying he can't handle himself at the game, but he's playing 0.10/0.20

[@D.D.-ud9zt]

I think you're very unlikely to win or come in second in a tourney like this with that attitude. Yes we all remember the main event winners who just sucked out over and over again, but its a good way to be a one and done.

[@KiiroiSenko1]

I love everything about Bill Klein.

[@brettblaster]

Goated content 🐐

[@ItsBeausy]

Bills prob bluffed more times in this tournament than in the last 5 cash games hes played😂

[@FriendsForFriends666]

imagine bill in his 30s or 40s... sharp dude

[@edwardbrito4010]

Why didn’t he put screws on flop great reads by Klein guys so emotional in pain lol 😆

[@davidjones1619]

To me Klein is a professional...👍👏

[@jacobdeangelis7702]

Phil is great

[@aaronmullet8960]

Having Blockers Is the dumbest poker theory ever in these situations. The only blockers that ever matter are when you have the naked nut flush blocker card making it impossible for anyone else to have then it flush. Simply Having one or two of the four eights in the deck isn’t a big deal and should never over ride the reading ability or other tells. The advent of poker solvers is so dumb. “Because I don’t have a diamond in my hand I should fold to a bluff when the flush hits but if I have one diamond then I should call.” That’s such a small edge where as someone’s betting patterns or physical tells are so much more reliable. You could show me 6 diamonds in the muck and I’ll still fold if I think he’s got the flush. People Ike Phil Ivey get this that’s why he’s the GOAT. Hellmuth too as much was I hate to compliment him. Solvers and blockers matter a hair more online because it’s the only info you have. I like you Phil G but stop explaining every hand Iike a silver Says. We can do that / look that up. Talk about something else.

[@aaronmullet8960]

How can you be value betting the flop, but bluffing the river when the turn and river card def did not improve Arends hand and did not improve Kleins hand? If u were ahead in the flop Ur ahead on the river. Those two cards on the turn and river did not improve anyone’s hands. They’re Blanks. These solvers and GTO and RTA have brainwashed anyone who started playing poker after 2003

[@coolbeans8682]

Anyone can be a wimmer! Only suckers study the game. Give it a try like this guy did! What a champ!

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

OMC betting big throws anyone off.

[@SamforSam]

No schooling whatsoever, both players did what they had to do. Good shove and good fold. You could argue that against a maniac like Bill, Graftekkel should have called, but not really. Playing against a maniac doesn't mean that you always have to call. It was a bad spot to call and that's it. No doubt Addamo would have made the millonaire call, but that doesn't mean it would have been a good call.

[@maniaco187]

I think he punted on purpose cuz he knows how much the bracelets means to the pros ans he's playing for charity

[@Dmatafonov23874]

Bill loves to make these plays. Usually he is extremely tight, but sometimes he makes crazy bluffs He is not balanced, but he es entertaining and enjoys the game.

[@borg972]

More of these please 🙏🙏 Also - It's time to get ageism out of poker!

[@zwijn]

Ty

[@PhilGalfond]

yw!

[@sinanogan]

too many compliments for gameplay of someone who probably lost more than $100m playing poker.

[@id10t98]

@2:07 "...he has no choice but to call." 🤯 c'mon man. He has the choice to fold as well. He's in a high roller event against one of the better known players who just check raised him on the flop. Klein is telling Arends he's beat and continuing on in the hand is a lesson on how to toss chips away with only 3 people left. As soon as you mentioned "variance" I laughed.

[@jaxejaxejaxe]

Don't like the click bait titles lol

[@TSeries502]

Shut up1 They go from guessing to guessing and choose to guess right or guess wrong, Yawn

[@leslieandclash7030]

Live by the bluff bust in second by the bluff

[@dudebro3250]

Klein lol. Nice name.

[@CNCTEMATIC]

Dont know if you're a comedy fan, but it must be fun to watch recordings of yourself where Norm MacDonald is calling the game!

[@snake0911]

Arends joins Phil Galfond in a club called "Bluffed by Bill Klein".

[@Kong_fool]

How do you spell a “N I T” ? P H I L

[@YildizWarzone]

poker is so easy when you are a billionaire!

[@saqob1779]

Worst bluff of all time

[@Alexandertygreat]

He literally never has a high pocket pair, he is a rec player could be doing this with any nine, even though cr on flop with it is horrid. But if you call the turn, how can you fold river? You know he has to bet with everything. Tough spot though, but your already top 3 and if you call n win. Her prob takes it down. Feels strong by bill. But i feel like everyone barrels off now. Bill is type of player that just follows what rest players are doing without understanding it i bet. Doubt he is working on solvers every night.

[@mmfb88]

I tend to agree. Klein has a pretty spazzy button clicking reputation and this is a pretty decent runout for 88. We are blocking 87, unblocking 10 7, 34 is not a hand ppl play, and the 6 pairing makes it less likely they have quads or a 6. Call.

[@mmfb88]

Also pair of 6 and pair of 9s are less likely to check raise flop because they have more showdown value than 44.

[@Alexandertygreat]

@@mmfb88 I just think if something doesnt make sense, call. Its tougher with rec players, cause then you see their hand and your like well yeah it doesnt make sense cause they cant/dont think on that level. But Bill set up river shove perfect with stack sizes. 88 blocks hands he would bluff with, not the greatest part of having 88. Tough spot for sure and bill did a good job applying 3 streets of max pressure. I do believe bill thinks he is good all the way til the river and then is in a spot he feels he must bet to win.

[@rotnem0017]

Bill is not doing anything more than just using his image to him to death😂

[@FriendsForFriends666]

i cant try this at home cause bill bluffed me off my house with a 83o on aakj10!!!!!