WATCH: Christina Gollins Avoids Huge Cooler To Earn Second WSOP Circuit Ring

A monster hand developed late at the final table of the Commerce Casino $600 ‘Housewarming’ tournament on Sunday night, the first event of the World Series of Poker Circuit series currently underway at the Los Angeles property.

Christina “baby shark” Gollins had picked up A-K during short-handed play, and as the short stack, was looking to get her chips in the middle for a double up. Instead, she was forced to make a decisive laydown, which ultimately allowed her to stay alive and come back for the tournament title.

Watch the full hand below from the livestream, featuring PokerGO commentators Jeff Platt and Brent Hanks.

The Hand

The massive field of 1,483 players had been whittled down to just three, each with their eyes on a six-figure payout and gold ring, along with a seat into next week’s season-ending _Tournament of Champions. With blinds at 150,000-300,000 with a 300,000 big blind ante, Gollins raised from the button to 700,000 with A K.

John Solis, who was second in chips, then woke up with K K behind her in the small blind and put in a three-bet to 1,700,000. Weigiang Zhao then looked down at Q Q, and opted to four-bet shove, covering both players.

At this point in the hand, Solis had a 56.7% chance to win with Zhao at 17.8% and Gollins at 24.9%, according to the Card Player Poker Odds Calculator. Despite sitting with one of the best hands in hold’em, Gollins wasted little time before throwing her hand away, avoiding almost-certain disaster.

“This is going to be the best fold of my fucking life,” she said confidently before quickly getting rid of her hand.

Solis called off for the last of his 10 million and was in great shape to double into the chip lead, however the dealer produced a board of 6 Q 6 2 6. Zhao made a full house and it was a painful exit for Solis who took home $49,839 in his first career live tournament cash.

Gollins had not only managed to avoid going broke, she had laddered up to lock up second-place money. But she wasn’t done yet.

Facing a 4:1 chip deficit heasd-up, Gollins picked off a bluff attempt and then slowly grinded her way into the lead. Zhao made his final stand with A 7, only to run into Gollins’ dominating A 8. The board ran out A 5 3 8 J to give Gollins two pair and the title.

Zhao earned $70,272 for his runner-up finish, which coincidentally came on his birthday, but it was Gollins who scored the career-best $105,444. This was Gollins second ring, having won her first at the Bicycle Casino back in 2021. She now has more than $700,000 in tournament cashes.

The championship ring action at the Commerce Casino continues through May 24, culminating with the WSOP Tournament of Champions.

*Winner photo by Commerce Casino / Kieroglyphics

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