We had big expectations for the final session of The Big Game on Tour, especially after the last session that saw Gronk finally wake up and take his stand against the pros. The dynamic between him and Antonio Esfandiari was just perfect, promising some fireworks heading into the last few dozen hands.
While “The Magician” and the NFL star stole the show, the remaining four players had plans of their own, even if they went about executing them in a more subtle manner.
Rania Nasreddine has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the show. Without much flamboyance, she managed to accumulate a profit of six figures heading into the final session. Rania didn’t simply catch a good run of cards to put her in this spot. From check-raise bluffs to bold hero calls, she put on quite a show, primarily letting the cards do the talking.
Nick Wright was very honest about being excited to play with the legends, but he paid quite a hefty price for the privilege. Having been felted once already, he had to reach out to the Bank of Antonio for another $50k.
And then, there were two Phils. Laak has had a rather uneventful run, hovering around the even mark. Hellmuth was coming back, stuck only a few thousand, but clearly bothered about it and focused on making this Big Game appearance a profitable one.
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There’s No End to Esfandiari’s Generosity
Antonio Esfandiari is just a pleasure to have at the table, and that applies equally whether you’re watching from home or you’re actually one of the players.
Sure, there are way softer opponents you’d prefer to have sitting across from you, but “The Magician” is a master of keeping things entertaining. Plus, he clearly has no problem with lending cash to anyone who asks for it to keep the game going.
Nick Wright took advantage of the Bank of Antonio’s services twice this season. After borrowing $50k from Esfandiari earlier, he had to “apply” for another loan during the last session, right after “The Magician” took possession of his remaining chips.
Gronk found himself in a similar spot. He turned the nuts against Esfandiari’s set, and it was looking like the amateur was going to win a hefty pot to put him in the black. However, Antonio managed to pull yet another trick as the board paired on the river to give him a full house. He then proceeded to overbet the river, putting Gronk to a test for his entire stack.
Gronk gave it some thought, but eventually made the call with his nut straight. Moments after, the Bank of Antonio was back in business, issuing another $25k.
Through all this, though, Esfandiari managed to rack up quite a profit, and by the time the last hand was dealt, he was the biggest winner, up almost $120k after 150 hands.
Hellmuth Is All About Making a Point
Despite his efforts, things did not quite work out in Hellmuth’s favor on this particular session of The Big Game on Tour. When it was all said and done, he was stuck $24,000.
However, that did not prevent the Poker Brat from doing what he does best, explaining to the table why he is the best player ever and how they just don’t understand.
To prove his point, he made a very tight laydown in a hand where Gronk limped first in, Antonio made it $1,000, and then Phil bumped it up to $2,700 with Ace-King. When the action got back to Gronk, he went for another raise, making it $5,000 even.
Antonio got out of the way, and then Phil, despite getting great direct odds, decided to release his hand as well, announcing he was folding Ace-King.
Despite the initial reaction of his tablemates, it turned out Hellmuth’s decision was spot on, as Gronk tabled pocket aces.
Gronk Finishes on a High Note
Although it looked like he was on a comeback trail, the cooler against Antonio ended Gronk’s run, and it was back to the drawing board for him.
Although he finished the session down over $40,000, he at least managed to finish on a bit of a high note, winning the last hand in which five players decided to put $1,000 in the pot before the flop. Phil Laak was the only one who refused to participate, seemingly confused about what was happening.
Gronk flopped top pair and bet. Unfortunately, there were no takers, so he picked up a few thousand to wrap things up.
As for the other big winners, Rania Nasreddine managed to walk away up $110k, and she was the only player besides Antonio to have a profitable session on this segment of The Big Game.
This was easily one of the best Big Game on Tour runs since the show’s return, and it’s a real shame that it had to come to an end. On a bright note, PokerStars might have something else exciting in the pipeline, so this is not a goodbye. The Big Game on Tour will be back!
