In the long run, everything levels out in poker. A single moment, though, can determine the future of a poker player's career.
Argentinian player Juan Pastor was very close to his international breakthrough at the 2015 EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo but his deep run ended painfully.
Suddenly, a Commotion
We’re deep in the main event of one of the most important events of the year. Twelve players are left and first prize is €1m. The stacks in the field are relatively even and there are some very seasoned pros in Ole Schemion, Johnny Lodden and Adrian Mateos still in.
There are also completely unknown amateurs Koichi Nozaki, Hady Asmar and Muhyedine Fahes. It's two tables with six players each and all players will definitely go home with €66,500.
Suddenly there’s some commotion at the outer table. When the camera arrives German Christopher Frank and Juan Pastor are all-in while WSOPE champion Adrian Mateos is tanking. Eventually, he calls.
It’s easy to see why the Spaniard made the call as he’s holding the third-best starting hand in poker – pocket queens. Unfortunately, that’s the worst of the three in this huge clash.
Can Hardly Look
Pastor simply can’t contain his emotions during the events of the following 60 seconds. If he wins this hand he triples up into the chip lead. He basically has his seat at the final table locked up.
Pre-flop he’s a 66% favorite but still he can hardly look at the board. It’s as if he knows what’s going to happen.
And indeed, shortly after, both Pastor and Frank leave their chairs and head to reception to collect €66,500 and €78,000, respectively.
Mateos, however, goes on to win the Grand Final for €1,082,000. That’s how close it can get in poker.
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