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