The long-time poker pro hasn’t been on the show since it was hosted by the Game Show Network
Phil Laak appeared on High Stakes Poker Monday night for the first time since 2011 when the show was featured on the Game Show Network.
Episode 3 of Season 12 featured a kaleidoscope of personalities at the table along with the “Unabomber.” HSP staple Jean-Robert Bellande, high-stakes pro Andrew Robl, and Hustler Casino Live’s Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot were also present for Monday night’s live stream.
The episode began with Santhosh Suvarna scooping a $49,000 pot against Vivian Yang and then taking down a small pot vs. Nik Airball with two pairs. After several hands, Laak appeared, holding a pair of Queens before flopping a set to take a small pot from Bellande.
As has often happened on live poker shows, Robl stacked Bellande in a $110,000 pot with pocket Aces against his missed draw. One of the biggest pots so far in Season 12 would occur a short time later.
Airball raised with pocket deuces from an early position to $4,000, getting the call from Yang in the big blind with 9S, 8S. Justin Gavri three-bet to $20,000 in a straddle position holding pocket jacks, with Yang the only player to call.
The flop came out JS, 7S, 10H to give Gavri top set vs. Yang’s nut straight. Yang checked and then raised Gavri’s $14,000 bet to $34,000. Gavri then moved all in, with Yang calling to create a $372,900 pot. After agreeing to run it twice, neither player paired the board, giving Yang the huge pot.
Gavri lost his remaining chips after holding top pair against Suvarna’s set. After a rebuy, Robl closed the episode by winning a $220,000 pot after his pocket Kings held up against Gavri’s Jacks.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
