Slow rolling is one of the most despised moves in poker.
This article will explain what
a slow roll is, then 5️⃣ you’ll see a countdown of the top five grossest slow rolls
ever.
What is a Slow Roll in Poker?
A slow roll 5️⃣ is when a player purposefully pauses
before calling a (usually all-in) bet with an extremely strong or unbeatable poker
hand. 5️⃣ It’s also considered a slow roll when a player intentionally pauses before
revealing the winning hand at showdown.
A pure show 5️⃣ of bad sportsmanship and taunting,
the goal of a slow roll is to give the opponent hope that they are 5️⃣ going to win the
hand, only to pull the rug out from under them.
Slow rolling will almost certainly draw
the 5️⃣ ire, or in some cases laughter, of other players at the table.
Let’s take a look at
five filthy slow rolls 5️⃣ that left others in the poker room fuming:
#4. Phil Hellmuth vs
T.J. Cloutier
This hand between a pair of poker legends 5️⃣ takes place at the Showdown at
the Sands in 2003. For old-school poker fans, this hand has a little bit 5️⃣ of
everything.
Phil Hellmuth sits down at the table and limps with A♣3♥, getting into the
action before he’s even finished 5️⃣ situating his chips. T.J. Cloutier calls in the small
blind with T♠9♣, and Phil Gordon checks from the big blind.
The 5️⃣ flop comes K♠7♠J♥, and
action checks to Hellmuth, who bets and gets called by only Cloutier.
The turn brings
the A♠, 5️⃣ and we get to see Cloutier’s heart rate go up into triple digits, thanks to a
special heart rate monitor 5️⃣ in play for the viewers at home. Cloutier leads out and
Hellmuth, now with top pair, calls.
The river comes the 5️⃣ 3♠, and Cloutier puts out a big
bet and gets called by Hellmuth. “You win, Phil,” concedes Cloutier as Hellmuth 5️⃣ tables
his two pair.
The problem is that Hellmuth did not win the hand. After several moments,
Cloutier turns over what 5️⃣ he though was an inferior ten-high, but is actually the third
nut flush.
This example of slow roll poker was almost 5️⃣ certainly unintentional on
Cloutier’s part, as Cloutier explains to Hellmuth that he didn’t realize he held a
spade. The move 5️⃣ infuriates Hellmuth nonetheless.
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#3.
Samantha Abernathy vs. Mikel Habb
On the way to a career-high payday at the 2024 Aussie
Millions, Samantha 5️⃣ Abernathy’s tournament run almost ended on the losing end of a slow
roll from opponent Mikel Habb.
Facing an under-the-gun open 5️⃣ raise to 50,000, Habb
decides to make a small three-bet to 112,000 with K♥K♠ in the small blind. Abernathy
goes 5️⃣ all in for 514,000 from the big blind with 6♥6♦, and the original raiser
folds.
Habb then goes into one of 5️⃣ the more theatrical poker slow rolls we’ve ever seen,
showing feigned anguish and getting up from his seat with his 5️⃣ hands behind his head.
After a few moments, Habb makes the call and starts celebrating.
This example of slow
roll poker 5️⃣ prompts the commentators to root for a six to hit the board and eliminate
Habb.
#2. Shaun Deeb vs. Mike Matusow
Shaun 5️⃣ Deeb has a well-earned reputation as one of
poker’s most notorious slow rollers, and he puts that image on display 5️⃣ in this hand
against Mike Matusow on Poker Night in America.
The hand starts with Matusow opening
from the lojack with 5️⃣ J♦J♠ , and Deeb making the call with 5♦5♠ on the button. Deeb hits
an optimal flop for his hand, 5️⃣ with T♣5♥5♣ appearing on the board and giving Deeb
quads.
Matusow c-betsR$1,000 on the flop, and Deeb casually calls. The turn 5️⃣ comes 4♣,
and Matusow goes all in, putting in a 1.5x overbet forR$4,675.
Holding the invulnerable
nuts, Deeb goes into the 5️⃣ tank. He gets Matusow to count out the bet before making the
call.
Unlike some of the other slow rolls on 5️⃣ this list, Deeb’s needle to Matusow
delights the other players as the table. Matusow, however, isn’t pleased.
#1. Andreas
Gann vs. 5️⃣ Donnacha O’Dea
A truly filthy poker slow roll tops our list, and takes place
at the 2024 Irish Open. The tournament 5️⃣ had reached the final table, with eight players
remaining.
Irish poker legend Donnacha O’Dea opens for 2x the big blind from 5️⃣ the hijack
with A♣6♣. Andreas Gann, with just five big blinds remaining, makes the curious
decision to just flat call 5️⃣ from the small blind with K♦Q♦.
The flop comes a favorable
8♦ A♦ 6♦ for Gann, giving him the nut flush. 5️⃣ Gann checks, and O’Dea quickly c-bets with
his two pair, betting enough to put Gann all in. Gann decides to 5️⃣ tank for well over a
minute before triumphantly making the call and tabling the nuts.
Gann’s actions draw
the ire of 5️⃣ other players at the table, as well as the announcers, who are left rooting
for an ace or a six 5️⃣ to hit the board
The lesson to be learned here is this: slow
rolling often goes wrong.
Note: Want 10 quick tips 5️⃣ that will help you win at poker? Get
this free guide if you want to come out on top.
