Engel Almost Wins With Nine High, but Krpan Rivers a Pair

Ari Engel raises from the hijack to 34,000, Samuel Tsehai calls from the button, and John Krpan (pictured) moves all in from the big blind for 54,000, showing his 43 prematurely.

Four-three suited isn’t the scariest of hands, and Engel and Tsehai both call. Any further betting will create a side pot between them.

Both players check to the turn on a board of AQ2A (Krpan has a gutshot straight draw), Engel bets 32,000, and Tsehai folds.

Krpan’s 43 is already face up (he never turned it back over), and Engel shows 98 for nine high — which is the best hand at the moment.

The river card is — the 4.

Krpan rivers two pair, aces and fours, to win the pot and triple up in chips.

John Krpan  –  188,000  (11 bb)
Ari Engel  –  535,000  (33 bb)
Samuel Tsehai  –  886,000  (55 bb)