Merlin The Wizard

In early position, a player opened to 11,000 and Pierre Merlin called in late position. Both players in the blinds folded, and it was a heads-up situation to the flop.

The early-position player bet 11,000 and Merlin called. On a turn, the former bet again, this time 27,000, and Merlin called.

On the river, the early-position player slow down the action and checked. Merlin thought about it before he bet 58,000. His opponent tanked for a while before he folded and Merlin took the pot.

Thirty minutes ago, Merlin was just one of those players who entered this tournament with 40,000 chips and a dream, but everything has been going splendidly for him ever since.

"I made 40,000 to 460,000 in 30 minutes," said Merlin, who started after winning queens against jacks and ace-jack.

"Then I won a small flip with a pair of nines, against ace-jack, and then, the big delivery," he said.

Merlin explained that he played a hand against the player on his left during a blind battle. Then on a flop, he checked, his opponent bet 20,000, and Merlin check-raised. His opponent announced all in for heaps.

"He had six-three offsuit. Why?"

Tags: Pierre Merlin