The Biggest Pot in High Stakes Poker History

New format, new records

The new High Stakes Poker format, available as a free-to-watch stream, attracted hundreds of thousands of views, and the show's participants delivered plenty of spectacular hands for the audience.  In just one week, the record for the biggest pot was broken twice.

Andrew Robl and Eric Wasserson: $2,478,000

Wasserson started with a raise to $20,000 with A♦9♥. Michael "Texas Mike" Moncek called in the small blind with 8♣5♣, after that, Robl three-bet to $110,000 in the big blind with J♦T♦.

Moncek folded, and Eric four-bet to $280,000. Robl called, and the pot was $599,000 on the flop. The dealer put 9♦7♠4♠ on the board.

Robl checked. Wasserson, who had flopped top pair with his nines, also decided not to bet. The situation changed dramatically on the next street. The 3♦ hit the turn, giving Robl a flush draw to go with his existing gutshot and two overcards.

Andrew checked again. Wasserson bet $200,000 and faced an all-in. Eric asked several times how much he needed to call to see the next card before eventually deciding to make the call.

Commentator Nick Schulman watched the action standing and admitted that he might pass out from the intensity of the hand.

On the first runout, the 6♥ came on the river, giving Eric the first half of the pot. On the second runout, the A♠ eliminated any remaining hope Robl had for a split.

Eric Wasserson and Michael “Texas Mike” Moncek: $4,260,000

Wasserson opened the action with a raise to $20,000 holding 9♦7♦. Moncek three-bet to $80,000 from the button with 10♣7♣. The other players folded, and the two opponents went to the flop with $163,000 in the pot.

The dealer spread A♦K♦9♣. Wasserson checked. Michael continued his aggression with a $100,000 bet, and Eric, who had flopped a pair of nines along with a flush draw, called.

The 4♥ appeared on the turn. The card changed very little. Wasserson checked again, and Moncek fired another $330,000.

Eric took around 30 seconds to think before eventually making the call. The 5♦ hit the river, completing Wasserson's flush. By then, the pot had grown to $1,046,000.

Wasserson checked. Michael decided to bluff and moved all-in for another $1,607,000.

Eric now faced an extremely difficult decision. His flush was only the fourth-highest possible flush, meaning Moncek could easily have a stronger hand.

“I have a strong hand,” Wasserson said, but he did not call immediately. Eric asked for some time to think it over and eventually found the courage to call his opponent's bet.