Ryan Young: What's My Line?

Every Thursday, Card Player sits down with some of the best in the game to discuss pivotal hands from the week’s biggest tournaments on the circuit.

Emerging tournament pro Ryan Young has been a force on the circuit for the last three years. In the short amount of time he's been playing, Young has made 10 final tables, cashed 24 times, and even picked up a World Series of Poker bracelet in the process. Boasting lifetime earnings of nearly $1.5 million, Young has had no problem gaining the respect of his peers for his poker savvy and relentless agrression.

Card Player sat down with Young to discuss a recent hand he played at the World Poker Tour Borgata Poker Open, an event in which he cashed for $21,000.

Event/ Blinds-Antes	WPT Borgata Poker Open	5,000-10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Player	Ryan Young	Adam Gerber
Chip Count	641,000	686,000
Hand	10 9	?

The Hand

Three players limped, including Ryan Young in late position. Adam Gerber checked his option from the big blind, and the four players saw a flop of K 8 7. The action was checked around to Young, who also knocked the table.

The turn was the Q, and Gerber led out for 20,000. The other two opponents folded to Young, who raised to 100,000. After deliberating for over a minute, Gerber decided to reraise to 220,000.

Young made the quick call, and the dealer rolled over the 4 on the river. Gerber checked, and Young instantly moved all in for 410,000. Gerber stood up, going over every aspect of the hand out loud. He took some time to count out his stack, realizing that if he was wrong, he’d be crippled down to 45,000 in chips. After another two minutes in the tank, Gerber announced that he could beat a lot of hands, but not 6-5. He directly asked Young if he would show, and the young pro continued his silent, statuesque pose. Another minute passed by, and Gerber folded what he later claimed was two pair.

Young then revealed his 10 9 for a busted open-ended straight-draw, drawing some applause from the rail.

The Interview

Julio Rodriguez: You limp in and essentially get the button. The flop gives you an open-ended straight draw. Did you think about betting there?

Ryan Young: I was last to act, so I got a free card. I could have bet my draw in position, but if I hit the straight on the turn, my hand was disguised, anyway. Also, I was up against three other opponents, which makes the likelihood that I’ll take the pot right there a bit smaller.

JR: The turn was a blank, and Adam Gerber came out firing. What was your read at the time?

RY: I didn’t think he was that strong. Even if he did hold top pair, I didn’t think he’d stick around when I raised it to 100,000. It’s a pretty big raise to call, and it puts him in a tough spot. I was surprised when he reraised to 220,000. At that point, I couldn’t fold for that small of an amount. I was still pretty sure he had no idea what I was holding, and I was in position, so I made the call. If I didn’t hit the river, I still had options, depending on what he decided to do.

JR: Surprisingly, Gerber checked to you on the river.

RY: Exactly, he checked and I decided to put him to the test. I just didn’t think he’d be willing to call off his stack in that spot.

JR: Did you anticipate this happening, shoving the river if he checked to you?

RY: I didn’t really plan it out beforehand. I made my decision on the river after he showed weakness. Most people won’t call off all of their chips on day 3 of a World Poker Tour tournament. Maybe if it had been earlier in the tournament, he might have called. I like to play that way, putting people in awkward situations and making them uncomfortable. Three hands later, I did the same thing to another player, but for a much smaller pot. There are a lot of chips to be won in situations where you know your opponents are playing with a little bit of fear. I’ve gotten pretty good at sensing who will play with me and who is looking to move up a few spots.

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