Spend enough time playing poker It’s inevitable that as a poker enthusiast, you’ll face losses. This is simply part of the game, no matter how proficient you are at reading your opponents or executing the perfect bluff.
Renowned professional Billy Baxter, who has accumulated millions over his career, once recalled an incident from a few summers back when he found himself in an unfortunate situation, exclaiming:
“If you won all the time, then something wouldn’t be right.”
Yet, suffering a loss when the odds favor you – that's the essence of a bad beat, and it feels completely different.
Brutal Bad Beats – Everyday Madness
Bad beats can set anyone on edge. Even the calmest players lose their cool when a seemingly harmless card appears on the river, snatching victory from their nut flush. In the case of Texas Hold’em Phil “Poker Brat” Hellmuth, his frustration is palpable during these moments; he often resorts to colorful language, appearing as though he might explode.
It’s hard to find fault with Hellmuth. Losing a hand can happen, but the devastation of a loss when you should have emerged victorious is another matter entirely.
Here’s a rundown of some of the most excruciating bad beats ever witnessed at the poker table. While they may be agonizing for those involved, they make for thrilling entertainment for onlookers.
Review these harrowing tales – many of which first captivated audiences through televised poker events – and remember that everyone, even the pros, have days when their winning hands turn into losing ones.
Brutal Bad Beats - Cowboys Crushed
Phil 'The Unabomber' Laak held a starting hand of Ace and King in clubs, a combination that players hope to receive. poker hand Seated a few spots over was Avi Freedman, an accomplished amateur and CEO of a tech firm, who had pocket tens before the flop. They both decided to engage in a poker game.
After some initial betting – punctuated by a bizarre discussion about whether the Earth is flat or round (I’d definitely bet on round, thank you) – the pot grew to several thousand dollars.
The flop revealed a 9, 2, and King – an absolute hit for Laak, giving him top pair while the rest of the board was lackluster. Laak must have been ecstatic when Freedman pushed all-in with a far weaker hand.
Out of nowhere, with $14,000 now in play, Laak confidently revealed his cards as both he and Freedman resolved to see the turn revealed twice.
Then, amidst the unfolding drama, the last thing one would expect occurred when a 10 appeared on the turn...
However, Laak still had a chance to split the pot, which seemed plausible given the circumstances. poker probability As it turned out, only another 10 could save Freedman now.
As they proceeded to the second run, an unbelievable twist happened. Freedman received the fourth ten. The table erupted in excitement, and the commentator couldn't help but remark about Freedman’s incredible luck:
“That’s all the luck you’ll get for a lifetime.”
Brutal Bad Beats - Shot with Your Own Bullets
Phil Hellmuth found himself with a pair of Aces and decided to make a bet. Rep Porter, the last opponent left in the hand, raised Hellmuth with Ace and 10 unsuited. Hellmuth, with his head in his hands, responded with a raise.
Conversation at the table briefly shifted to skiing, prompting Hellmuth to humorously jab at Porter, saying, “Feel free to fold your eight-high hand anytime.”
Porter retorted, “Eight-high? With that, I’d have to bluff.”
Then, he all-in shoved his entire stack. Was he trying to send a message to the table? how to bluff in poker ?
Hellmuth reacted with a flair, shoving in a considerable amount of his own chips. Suddenly, the pot surged to $9,075, and in that moment, it seemed like Hellmuth was in a favorable position – until two tens hit the flop.
Unfortunately for Hellmuth, his Aces were unable to hold up. The most shocking moment came not from the ending but from the calm and collected way Hellmuth nonchalantly responded after everything unfolded.
“Well played, Rep,” he commented, showcasing an unexpected level of coolness and drawing laughs from everyone at the table.
Brutal Bad Beats - Straight to the Bank
Growing up as the son of poker icon Doyle Brunson undoubtedly imparts valuable lessons about the game. This is what led the bearded and bespectacled Todd Brunson to the Hold‘em table. poker history When matched against the silver-haired Jim Carroll, Brunson possessed Ace and Queen against Carroll’s pocket 10s.
- A series of bets ensued, resulting in Carroll hitting three of a kind on a flop showing Jack, 2, and 10.
- Brunson was left with nothing more than a gutshot straight draw (a long shot, indeed) and all his chips locked in a $10,750 pot.
- The turn brought another low card, with the announcer commenting on Brunson’s precarious position, stating, “He’s drawing very thin.” But sometimes, a long shot might just pay off, igniting the thrill for all spectators.
In a surprising conclusion, the river card turned out to be Brunson's winning King, granting him a straight and crushing Carroll’s trips.
Carroll’s response? He called out to Brunson, “Nahhhh! You got lucky, donkey. There’s no way skill could have led you to win. You just suck out like a donkey!”
As he gathered his winnings, Brunson couldn't help but chuckle all the way to the bank.
During the late stages of the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event, as the population shrank from fifteen players down to the crucial final table of nine, poker enthusiasts worldwide bore witness to one of the most significant bad beats in history.
Brutal Bad Beats - Late Show
This story has become legendary and is often cited as one of the unluckiest losses ever.
Jonathan Duhamel was dealt a pair of Jacks, a hand that typically brings excitement. Unfortunately for him, Matt Affleck, seated on the button, revealed two Aces. world poker tournaments .
Prior to the flop, there was already 8,450,000 in the pot.
- The flop produced a 10, 9, and 7, an outstanding series of cards for Affleck, even though Duhamel found himself with a gutshot straight draw.
- Affleck was now a commanding 73 percent favorite to win the hand.
- Sensing the significant risks, Duhamel chose to check. Affleck responded by betting 5 million, which Duhamel felt compelled to call. Now, the pot had grown to 18,450,000.
With a Queen appearing on the turn, Duhamel decided on a check. Affleck, perhaps feeling empowered by this new card, all-in shoved with a strong 79 percent chance of victory. The pot swelled to 30,080,000, placing Duhamel in a crucial situation.
He had the opportunity for an open-ended straight and still held two Jacks in hand. Losing would leave him with a mere 8 million chips. In a bold move, Duhamel decided to call. Affleck revealed his Aces as Duhamel's chances narrowed to needing either an 8, Jack, or King.
The tension climbed as the dealer’s hands prepared to flip the last card of the round.
It would be an unlikely outcome.
- This card would be noted as the most shocking river of the tournament, and it turned out to be an... 8.
- Affleck appeared devastated as he was unexpectedly knocked out in 15th place.
Meanwhile, Duhamel experienced a life-changing moment, moving up to take the lead in the rankings and eventually making history by claiming the victory at that year's World Series of Poker, landing a first-place prize of $8,944,138.thplace.
Don't feel too sorry for Matt Affleck, though. Despite enduring one of the most devastating bad beats of his playing career in 2010, he still walked away with $500,165 that year (not exactly small change). poker chip value As it stands, Matt's tournament winnings have amassed to a commendable total of $3,933,837. That's not too shabby at all.
Michael Kaplan is a journalist residing in New York City. His vast repertoire includes extensive writing on gambling topics for various prominent publications such as Wired, Playboy, Cigar Aficionado, New York Post, and New York Times. He has authored four books, including Aces and Kings: Inside Stories and Million-Dollar Strategies from Poker’s Greatest Players.
Brutal Bad Beats - Shot with Your Own Bullets