Gold Vs. Cunningham

With five players left in the 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP), the following hand came up between top pro Allen Cunningham and eventual winner Jamie Gold, who is now the reigning world champion of poker. At the time, Gold was the chip leader with $44,700,000 in chips andCunningham was in third place with $13,700,000 in chips. With the blinds at $150,000-$300,000, Cunningham opened - as the first personto act - for $900,000 with the A 10, Gold called from the button with the 8 8, and Paul Wasicka called $600,000 more from the big blind with the J 10.

The flop came down A 8 2. What a dream flop for Gold, and conversely, what a nightmare flop for Cunningham. Wasicka checked, Cunningham bet $1 million, Gold studied for a second and called, and Wasicka folded. By just calling, Gold was attempting to trapCunningham, and that is an advanced play that I would rate as a good one. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind seeing Gold make a raisehere, of about $1.5 million or so. This would force Cunningham to call if he had an ace, and perhaps move all in if he had A-K, A-Q, A-8, or A-2. All in all, I like the call more. The perfect play here depends on a successful read of your opponent. I would hope that if I were inGold's shoes, I would sense strength (in which case I would raise) or weakness (in which case I would just call).

The next card off was the 6, Cunningham checked, and Gold checked quickly. First of all, I hate Gold's check here. Why not bet something small, like $1 million or $2 million? This way, Cunningham has to call if he has an ace, or he may get crazy and move all in. Also, by betting small in this situation, Gold gives his opponent a chance to raise, whether he has a strong hand or not. Secondly, I hate the fact thatGold checked so quickly behind Cunningham. Usually when someone checks that quickly behind you, he's trying to say, "I have nothing atall, thus I'm checking quickly behind you." To a top pro like Cunningham, that quick check looks like strength. Why else would someone check that quickly when there are no draws on board?

The last card was the 2 (A 8 2 6 2), Cunningham bet $2 million, and within four seconds, Gold said, "I raise." Within six more seconds, Gold said, "I'm all in," and stood up. Then, within 10 more seconds, he told Cunningham, "Gotcha," to which Cunningham instantly replied, "Yep, I guess you do."Then, Gold instantly said, "You know I know you didn't have it."Cunningham replied, "Nice hand," and folded immediately.

How did Cunningham fold his strong hand so quickly? Because Gold made a number of mistakes on the last round of betting, not to mention the quick check on the turn. First, he announced "raise" far too quickly. Second, he raised way too much. Third, he stood up. Fourth,he told Cunningham that he had him beat. Fifth, he tried the amateur move of saying that he didn't think that Cunningham had it, as if tosay, "If you do have it, you have me beat." Give Cunningham maximum credit here, as he saw all of the signs, picked up on all of Gold's tells, and folded his strong hand instantly.

Amateurs and pros alike, you can benefit from my new book on tells, Read 'em and Reap, with FBI agent Joe Navarro. Here is why Goldwas so readable to Cunningham. First, do not raise too quickly - especially on the end - as it is a sign of strength. Second, why go for all of Cunningham's chips on the end? Why not raise it $2 million or $3 million? This way, you'll have a better call rate. Third, when you moveall in and stand up, you're giving away free information to a sharp observer. In this case, Gold looked pretty excited - a sure sign of strength- to me (and Cunningham) when he stood up. Fourth, above all else, do not tell a pro the truth about a hand. It is easy for us top pros to read you when you open your mouth at all, especially when you're telling the truth. Something just resonates with us, and we think, "He's not lying, that much I know." Finally, do not talk at all to a top pro, whether you're bluffing or have the goods - especially when you're makinga statement like, "You know I know you didn't have it."

Amateurs issue challenges like this when they're very strong.

On the other side of the coin, Cunningham played this hand flawlessly - from the bet on the flop, to the check on the turn, to the value bet on the river, to the quick fold on the end. It must be said that he lost close to the minimum with this hand in this scenario.

For the record, Gold did play great poker, and many of his moves (like moving all in quickly, standing up when he moved all in, tellingpeople he had them beat, and chatting with his opponents during hands) worked flawlessly against the other amateur players, but not so well against Cunningham.