INSANE READ By DOUG POLK!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PokerCoaching]

Would YOU have found that call on the river? 🤯

[@itskmillz]

I could reasonably find this call in a cash game scenario, with ICM implications this spot becomes a lot tougher. I play the same way as Foxen but I bet smaller on river, half pot most likely.

[@ivanbilic1902]

​@@itskmillz i would say exactly same thing.

[@mysticreptile361]

I said half pot...rare player that is Doug Polk that can find this call...sick lol

[@naantjez]

hellll no but thats why i play 1/2

[@jarirepo1172]

No, never.

[@utsaxman]

It was the huge bet on the river that gave it away. Polarized his range, and there are way more bluffs than monsters. Medium bet probably does the trick.

[@KevinSmith-vz7xh]

It is really tough to call when everything on the board beats you, but that's why Doug is so good heads up. If your opponent is balanced, its tough.

[@seannebel9419]

I definitely fold in game but I don't feel great folding. This is why I play low stakes still.

[@dingleberry4013]

making the call here at low stakes would be insanity 😄

[@richardbob7032]

Low stakes x1.5 pot is always at least a 6😂😂

[@yunsik253]

well this is a tourney too, not a cash game so the play style is also a bit different

[@Trizzer89]

Doug is a beast when there are few people left.

[@joshuapatrick682]

at some point you have to recognize your opponent is so wealthy they don’t care about ICM. They find more value in the highlights.

[@vandal280]

"Scoopaloop" always makes me smile

[@thrashersforthecup]

Doug is so sick man 😂

[@Cjbstlstyly]

Doug has a tell. When the wheels start turning, there is a moment when it clicks. That is when you pray. Wait until he is splashy. And pray. That dude can play.

[@aquababy2012]

If Foxen is known to bluff a lot, then a hero call makes sense given the bet size. The whole way both Polk and Foxen played this hand is little too sticky for me. Aggression isn't a magic wand and maybe Polk picked up on this aggrocadabra tendency in Foxen's game play.

[@lukapookawooka88]

nice call. make a polker hand about this pls. thanks mate.

[@bozz3002]

looks like a Mike Postle call

[@lafk-lottyenaforrokave4700]

If Garret would be in Alex position he would have a private 1v1 talk with Doug after this.

[@Beast777Mode]

he would of asked for his chips back

[@nathanmaclellan1314]

I like the Brilliant !! Logo

[@jackolini]

The 9 doesn't change anything on the river (maybe Foxen has the 9s with a spade flush draw, but very few combos of that specifically). If you bet big, you are saying you have like 6x or nothing. I think if you bet small, you can get Polk to fold out some of his weaker holdings that still beat you. He might call you with ace high if you bet $40K+. I guess you can always give up too if you're Foxen, although this is a good hand to bluff with.

[@emiliomurgia2026]

Over bet turn might have been a better play?

[@valeriekeefe8898]

6:42 I would've bet slightly under pot, but as 35k is not an option, 40 seems reasonable.

[@briansymmes7917]

Most people are insta-folding here, Polk is a weapon!

[@dennisje2925]

Is q2 a bluff catcher.. .Is Alex also not bluffing with some of the Kx to which he loose.

[@MrDonckers]

he is but he’s not over betting that size with it based on the river. I’d assume against a sticky player your winning a lot of the time with kx, so wouldn’t you value bet instead of go over the top?

[@UnderDawgPoker]

Investigation?

[@krisDag17]

I like a smallish bet of 20,000. It tells the story that my hand is still good from the turn to the river.

[@pugsnhogz]

NGL there's about 0% chance I even make it to this river with Q2o lol

[@NorseNautical]

Anybody have a heuristic on how to reduce the frequency of hero calls with ICM as a factor?

[@jarppe123]

Kind of doubt there would be that much if any shoving going on with that SPR versus small bet. Especially from Polk versus chip leader. E.g. does strong hands really want to create max fe and what kind of bluffs outside of oesd can Polk have if he shoves? It's still over 2x pot if he shoves over half pot cbet.

[@jarppe123]

Also can see issue in flop check, bet, bet line that you do cap your range somewhat by not betting flop. But yeah not saying he would not have J, 6 or overpair good chunk of time as well.

[@kineahora8736]

Hmm. I think bluffing is mandatory here. On a bluff, I would normally want to go big. However; that is polarizing , so what thick value is Foxen saying he has in this spot? He failed to bet J64 rainbow, he tiny bet the 6 turn, so if he overpots the river, I guess he is saying he has 96? So he made a tiny turn bet with trips? Doesn’t make that much sense. What thick value makes any sense here? So no. I think you have to go half pot advertising a random 9 or maybe even a 4. I think this has to fold out anything below King-high… So im gonna go 20k on the river.

[@hencole]

Do we know what stack the 3rd player had? Could be more important than a lot of the other analysis.

[@Moj999_]

What tf are you talking about. This was bvb.

[@ДонатасБанионис-к6и]

Its a heads-up ? Why SB acts first on flop then ?

[@yourmaninlondoncollecting5749]

I would Check.. no need to throw away money....

[@OneEyedJack01]

If you're betting turns and checking down rivers when you miss, you are making yourself very easy to play against.

[@harold7792]

You're the man, Little!

[@Antony.Martinez]

Why would Foxen not just go all in? Can Doug make the call thinking his Q is good?

[@jd31068]

is Q2o now called the Dougie?

[@kennethchia4194]

You mentioned QT as a possible hand Alex could have, but wouldn't he be likely to raise with that preflop in this scenario?

[@vinni522]

Remember seeing AF limp AK, it’s possible that he is limping his entire tanager against a 20bb stack.

[@MOJOERASER]

Foxens face was like wtf just happened lol . I bet he thinks Polk was cheating live.

[@PastingKing]

I'd bet big in Foxen's shoes. At least a pot sized bet.

[@TheBlueDude71]

bet 20k

[@BigTV-ke1nn]

Doug had 24k in the pot, easy to fold. I guess a J or 6 would bet stronger earlier, so good call

[@Moj999_]

Expert analysis right there.

[@Badbentham]

Indeed: Foxen may not have enough good Jx in his range on the River; - given how aggressive he generally plays (on all streets) .

[@francescoiadicicco1266]

Such a bad feeling when they call your bluff with queen high 😅

[@barygol]

0:25

[@tylerkay825]

Haha i like the double exclam like its a chess game review.

[@PokerCoaching]

Glad you picked up on it 😁

[@OscarZoroaster]

i dont think its that crazy of a call really. any Kx Ax hand would raise preflop HU sb v bb, and foxen payed it exactly like a busted draw as you explain how you would play it, polk was easily able to sniff this out. text book call imo.

[@placeholdermcgavinport5343]

The pre flop limp for sure screams low cards/draw hands

[@MrTurkosmanli]

If foxen had a hand like KX or Ax pre flop he would or raised it so going into the flop with Qx is not that bad . So when Foxen over bets the river he is representing a 6 on this board. Also if foxen had a 9x hand he wouldn’t bet this big . So it’s either a 6 or 10 high in this case it was 7 high .

[@carlharris5986]

You really expect doug to shove 143k into a 36k pot? Surely not? Maybe im missing something here, is that a commonly done thing at high stakes when at 20/30 bigs post flop?

[@Chronicseedsinc]

Doug has a live read, when Alex dropped that chip he looks nervous 😂

[@befreewithbfreeman]

I caught that and thought the same thing.

[@MelFinehout]

I bet if Doug reviews this hand that wasn’t part of his thought process. Because 1. Foxen wasn’t nervous. This was just a clumsy error. And 2. Doug Polk has made furious videos where he rants about playing a fundamental style. He isn’t a “live tells guy”. He’s pretty much opposite of Helmuth.

[@OneEyedJack01]

@@MelFinehout this +1. Foxen is about as nervous in this spot as I would be pouring a bowl of cereal for breakfast.

[@jonathanfan3709]

it's call polarizing your range. It is weird to polarize your range here.

[@J7Slick]

I un block spades. With Doug only calling turn bet, I could think he’s on spades since he didn’t bet flop. No way he has a jack or a 6, at best he’s got an under pair or a 4. I’m shoving for 3.5x and make sure he realizes all his fold equity.

[@leftylongshorts6906]

"Scoop-a-loop" should be patented

[@kevinskorcz317]

Small stakes mtt. Mid level 2k 4k blinds. Folds to me in hj with 10/10 I limp, button was being crazy and going all in constantly. But everyone folds except big blind. Flop comes 4/3/6 rainbow. He has me way out chipped. He bets 15k into the 10k pot. I didn't know what to do and ended up folding. Was this a stupid play, to tight? He had just moved to our table so i had no idea how he played. He showed pocket 8s. I had around 20 bbs and we where 2 away from final table.

[@teacher_bryan_japan]

I bet half pot for bluff representing a Jacks /middle pair or a nuts

[@bbbulldog61]

I don't see myself calling the turn or river with Q2. I'm ok betting the flop with the straight draw. It's the best play in poker when you make someone fold a better hand. If you get shoved on you're probably behind, do the math then make your decision.

[@AT-qm8gv]

I would bet half pot with this hand in this situation. EDIT: oh cool! Glad we had the same thought lol.

[@tattoomesam]

I was thinking the same thing, make it look like a value bet

[@danieldiaz9948]

If I were Fox id overshove because 78 and 6x still in range and would play it the same way

[@zombieherobrian5384]

Overpot, rarely going to be playing the hand this way and I’m usually going to have busted draws or a six, and when I have a six I want to get max value from a jack

[@burkhartlaw1]

No way I call. But then I’m no Doug Polk.

[@octodaddy8322]

Do queen high hero calls deserve an investigation

[@teacher_bryan_japan]

It's not a cash game 😂, and Doug Polk have a reputation on HU specialist

[@bbbulldog61]

Good question. My gut tells me Polk is honest. My gut isn't always right. I wouldn't have called the turn or river with Q2. The poker world went crazy when that lady called Garrett with Jack high. In Polk's situation people make the argument that he's a poker genius. In the lady's case people were saying she couldn't make the call without cheating. It's hard to know when players make a crazy hero call that turn out to be right if they are poker geniuses or lucky.

[@Dmopeterson]

There’s an extreme difference between a full ring cash game, and a heads up tournament short stacked play

[@duaneharper6095]

Like I said at some point you realize you're being bluffed and you beat 90 percent of their bluff range.

[@adviva3578]

You don't know Davidi kitai then

[@justinkauffman731]

What's your chess rating live? The double exclam gave you away

[@TheMarkODonohue]

My biggest concern about folding here is if Alex is turning something like Ks5s into a bluff that actually beats me. I suppose there's so few combos of AsXs and KsXs (not to mention he'll raise lot of AsXs preflop) compared to stuff like 57, 78, 35 etc that it's a decent call. Basically 0 chance I'm calling this in a tournament for half my remaining stack though, I'm no where near ballsy enough for that 😂

[@charliej8104]

He’s not limping k7 ss pre

[@TheMiningProbe]

these Kx and Ax hands would not be bluffing, because they have too much showdown value to bluff. Generally bluffing is 0EV and with showdown value checking is positive EV

[@ajsage3363]

Heads up, Foxen will be raising any hand containing a K I think. Suited king, no question about it.

[@TheMiningProbe]

@@ajsage3363 that would be a horribly imbalanced strategy, even though Kx hands are strong enough to raise, that would make your calling range incredibly weak so the big blind could raise so often and crush you

[@joshuapatrick682]

Bet 1.5 x pot

[@ssss4111]

If it was cash games, doug wouldve folded

[@alleneng]

underwhelming reaction by polk haha

[@Andymurray2811]

I don't think doug calls 20k here.

[@greenteamgear]

Bet 20,000. Make it seem like a value bet.

[@backseatsamurai]

This hand is very similar to the J4 Robbie hand with Garret. I wonder if someone would do a comparison ananlysis. I would like to hear that.

[@michaelstephens9852]

Not even close. It's down to 3 handed and it's a tournament. Also, it's blind vrs blind. Robbie's hand made no sense in a cash game.

[@twistacatz]

This hand is not similar at all… You’ve got a lot to learn my man.

[@pugsnhogz]

the fact you think this hand is similar to the Robbi is all we need to know about the validity of your analysis

[@2lowkey100]

lol look at all the pretentious asshats in these replies

[@IceMoonie]

Doug must've thought Alex had 4's full, Jacks full or the board. He's an absolute killer.

[@busomite]

20k, hoping Doug thinks I’m wanting the call.

[@bigj200016]

Think the river plays as either pot size bet or as a check raise. From SB he’d have a bunch of 6s that’ll limp. So while I prefer a bet, I can get behind a check raise.

[@salimajahimha]

Hopefully Alex reads your comment and realises his mistakes

[@andyhines5480]

I'm betting 20k.

[@dondavis5671]

I'd fire again with a small bet 😮

[@FizzyToni]

Honestly idk. Probably would fold but it is not a ridiculous call by any mean. A bluffcatcher with decent blockers (unblocking all bluffs pretty much). Bvb with wide ranges vs. super aggressive and capable villain. Not sure what stage of the tournament or what are the stacks exactly, but that would definitely affect my decision. (Yes, late stage but more specifically)

[@Sacmater]

8 to win 32, not 40.

[@Asgardinho]

Qhigh no kicker 😂

[@slowfuse]

So call with Q2 and you are a genius but call with J4 and you are a cheater?

[@skelthouser2730]

Such a fool!

[@kentmartin6306]

I would have bet 27,000.

[@backseatsamurai]

I would bet the pot.

[@lafk-lottyenaforrokave4700]

why would Doug showe on turn on a board like this... ??? Basically Alex can have anything (trapping AA or some garbage) so shoving would be kind of a risky play here. Chances to hit two pair on flop is 2% but also with two pair why you want scare away opponent who just bets with a 45 or bluffs... you want max value, so I really don't get this part of your analizis. I think saying out loud confidently one specific understanding of a situation is the opposite of being smart... it makes you look smart among average people, but not among really smart people. Try to pick more angle and allow to yourself the sentences like "It can be this, that", "I don't know why he checked, could be this or that the reason, etc". In poker with all of your actions you keep/include possible stories and also you remove/make less likely other stories. There is no completely good or bad decision cause it also matters how a piece of act completes the big picture, develops other stories, etc and how at the end you use these stories to take advantage. Poker is a marathon, not a sprint. I can tell you here both play is valid. You can bet or raise. The only important here at this flop situation is to randomize your game, don't be predictible. But betting makes more sense as you have the strength advantage, Alex can have more likely strong hands also in his range, meanwhile Doug can't have any premium hands, also alex blocks 65,67,45, etc.. so Doug probalby has nothing here. It is a bet on this flop 80% of time. Also its funny 1 minute later you just destroy your own theory by criticising Alex how he should have bet with having a J or 6 in his hand on the flop and now on turn he starts betting and of course nobody believes him ... yes this is what i am talking about Alex with cheking killd many of his stories. On the river the only make sense thing is to make an overbet as the last story Alex can tell is he trapped with a JJ and he hopes Doug has a 6... but to be honest it is kind of a very unlikely story to tell this way as you miss so many value called by weaker hands, so i think a tiny bet make more sense as if Doug has a 6 he would raise.

[@jamalsro9827]

polk sayiig q2 make it look worse 4 fox

[@Mile8461]

Bullsnot. HORRIBLE call. The guy gets lucky - and now he’s what, a genius? Gtfooh!

[@well.thy.one.]

Obvious cheating, should give the chips back

[@Melkor1818]

finally we run into a robbi lew spot where the pro sees the light. Sometimes in two card when they are polarized all oyu have to do is get a read. Do you think they got it or not.

[@OneEyedJack01]

This isn't at all like Robbi. The hand dynamic was completely different.

[@Gos1234567]

Not sure if j or a 6 would always bet that flop,he is oop

[@makemoney3282]

Yeh it’s a good play.. but it’s an awful call 🤣Literally beats 10 high 8 high 7 high 5 high 3 high 2 high , long term, awful play

[@williamsfamilychannel1585]

It’s funny how similar this was to the J4 off hand that Robi called Garrett with. Nobody is accusing Doug of cheating. It’s kinda funny

[@gypsycabs]

I'm sure Robi reasoned things through the same way Doug did.... 🙄

[@joomorrow]

Funny how some people don't realize the vast difference between these 2 hands.

[@soren8994]

And one screamed scam there??? Or cheating

[@manhattansbest]

Hmmmmmm..Q high call??? Something fishy going on

[@ivanbilic1902]

Nothing fishy at all.. Everything is explained in the video, and there is only a few value hands with this bet, and so much blufs.. call is only hard because it is tournament and there are ICM implications, heads up no limit cash game, its not that hard of a call. Because you cant wrap your head about it, that does not mean something fishy is going on

[@mikeh7917]

'Totally' NOT cheating.

[@theamazin]

Crazy call. How’s this any more legit than the infamous J4 call? Is Doug cheating?

[@zechcarr]

The number of players remaining and the stack sizes make all the difference here

[@alanarmstrong6460]

If he had an Ace I can understand calling but with a Queen something fishy going on

[@OneEyedJack01]

Doug makes these light calls frequently. He's not always right.