Perhaps the biggest appeal of PokerStars The Big Game on Tour and the thing that brought the original series such popularity is the ability to root for the underdog. Going through all the ups and downs together with Loose Cannons as they try to make a profit makes this show one of a kind.
Unfortunately, the first of the three Loose Cannons we got to see this season is out of chances. Jordan Handrich gave it her best shot, but cards refused to cooperate, and she played her last hand on Saturday’s show, exiting well before the mandatory 150-hands mark.
The game will go on without her for the last few dozen hands before the next Loose Cannon takes their seat. It’s still a great lineup, with the 2024 Main Event winner Jonathan Tamayo taking Jordan’s seat, but some of that suspense is certainly gone.
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No Lucky Breaks for Jordan
Jordan Handrich came into her Big Game session with a positive attitude and a desire to win, but she simply couldn’t string together a good run of cards. She spent most of the game with her stack under the $50k mark, trying (and succeeding) to claw back some chips but without any major breakthroughs.
With all that in mind, when she finally looked down at pocket Jacks about halfway through the last session and with just over $30k in her stack, it looked like things could finally take a positive turn.
Unfortunately, Andre Akkari woke up with pocket queens, and Jordan just couldn’t find it in her to let this one go despite a bad gut feeling. She decided to take her stance, probably hoping to flip against a hand like A-K.
As it turned out, she was a big underdog, and despite running the full board four times, she couldn’t win a single run to get at least a quarter of the pot and stay in the game. It just wasn’t meant to be.
Despite failing to make a profit, Jordan had only positive things to say about her experience on the show. She feels the appearance on The Big Game on Tour did wonders for her confidence levels, not just as a poker player but as a person as well.
WSOP Champ in the Mix
With Jordan eliminated and a few dozen hands still to go before wrapping things up for the first session of the season, a new player joined the mix, and it is none other than the 2024 WSOP Main Event winner Jonathan Tamayo.
Tamayo won the Main last year, picking up $10,000,000 for his efforts, and his win created some controversy in the community regarding the use of solvers and similar tools. Now, the tournament specialist will have an opportunity to show his skills in a different environment.
As for the rest of the lineup, Jen Tilly continues to stay on top, now sitting with almost $50,000 in profit. The only other player with a net positive after some 120 hands is Sam Grafton.
We are headed toward the last episode of the first part, which will play out without the Loose Cannon. After that, the second session will begin, featuring one of the remaining two LCs and a different lineup of players.
