Best Karma Moments From The Poker Table

(Photo: Pokerfraudalert.com)

That age old saying of “what you put out comes back to you” is seemingly a truth at a poker table. Here's a collection of some of the best karma moments from the green felt.

Ofir Mor vs Dwyte Pilgrim

First up is from the World Poker Tour back in 2010 at the Borgata Casino resort.

Down to the final table the trash talk coming from Pilgrim's direction was incessant. Although he is known for his lively table chatter it was beginning to be too much.

From the small blind Ofir Mor shoves his remaining $2.5 million into a pot of $3.1 million with Kh8s, setting off Pilgrim into a detailed explanation of exactly what he will call with before he's even looked at his cards, then he asks for a proper count.

Finishing his list with “anything suited” he gets his wish when he looks down at JsTs and makes the call.

Pilgrim stands up as he sees he's the underdog and waits.

The flop comes Jh Td 4h sending Pilgrim off to the rail with the smuggest grin you ever saw. Hugging his friends and fans; high fiving his way from one end to the other while the commentators are still saying:

"It's not over yet!”

Pilgrim shouts:

"I didn't even look at the turn and the river.”

Mor remains in his seat expressionless.

The turn comes the 8h just as Pilgrim returns to the table instantly wiping any evidence of that grin clean away. Now he stands there slightly wide eyed well aware what could be coming.

Now both players stand side by side waiting nervously.

River comes the Ks sending the rail crazy while Pilgrim shakes his head slowly probably more than a little embarrassed about his earlier performance.

Not the most deserving bad beat I guess, but he should have known better to keep quiet until the hand was over. It's always a little nice to see a big mouth shut up rather abruptly.

Not that it mattered much, as Pilgrim quickly recovered to take the $733,000 first prize home.

He was also at the centre of scamming allegations late last year following a refusal to pay back a loan. So probably there are some people out there happy to see him squirm a little like this.

Mikel Habb vs Samantha Abernathy

Next up is from this year's Aussie Millions. Down to the final fifteen with all still to play for.

Three handed the big stack Dylan Honeyman opens to $50K holding As2h, with Habb next up in the small blind throwing enough chips over the line to warrant a raise, but claiming he wants to only call. The only problem here is he's looked down at KhKs!

Jason Somerville commentating immediately cries out what a dirty angle that is. We all say there's no friends at the poker table but this clearly goes beyond what is expected.

Abernathy, oblivious to the danger shoves her remaining $514K with 6h6d having Habb covered. Honeyman quickly folds.

What happened next disgusted just about everybody watching. Whether or not you're playing at your local club or a high level event such as this one, it doesn't matter.

Following the all in Habb puts his head down and covers his eyes with one hand as if in deep thought. He then stands up and puts his hands behind his head with a worried look on his face.

You might be forgiven for thinking he has any kind of a decision to make here, but with the stacks so shallow at this point in the tournament there is nothing else to do but call it off.

After thirty seconds of slow rolling action Habb picks up his cards and slaps them down in the centre of the table. All the while Jason Somerville is shouting for a six to come.

Habb is now pacing around the table all pumped up shouting ”come on.”

The flop comes Qs Ts 9d. No help for Abernathy.

Turn is the Th. Habb is now standing triumphantly with one arm raised in the air.

River is the 6s and Habb now doesn't know where to look.

Unlucky mate!

Andreas Gann vs Donnacha O’Dea

Last years Irish Open saw another brutal slow roll. This time at the final table.

German Andreas Gann sat with about five big blinds in the small blind was facing a min raise from the cutoff by Irish poker legend Donnacha O’Dea, and for some reason decides to only call holding KdQd with another player left to act. The commentators suggested a possible “stop n go” but surely shoving was the only play.

O'Dea is sat with Ac6c and the flop comes down Ad 6d 8d

Gann checks. No stop n go when you're holding the nuts with three and a half big blinds I guess.

O'Dea quickly bets 300K, enough to put the German all in.

And here we go again.

Gann gives off a disinterested huff that any Hollywood star would be proud of. He checks his cards once more. Possibly to see if he was tripping and they were different from the last time he looked.

Whatever his reasons, the commentators are now severely annoyed and calling for karmic justice.

Gann then give his chips a quick examination. All four of them! Yes buddy, you still have three and a half big blinds, and are holding the stone cold nuts.

The commentators are now suggesting he hasn't seen the bet has been made but that's extremely unlikely.

Finally after three minutes Gann makes the call and receives instant abuse from most of his table mates while O'Dea, one of the game's gentlemen, remains motionless, and silent. By now the boos are ringing out from the rail too.

Amid the anger the dealer gets to work and turns over the 7c. A blank.

After a pause we see the river card and it's the 6h sending the table and rail into euphoria. Even Gann was laughing and clapping as the end of his tournament was handed to him.

Not a great way to behave, and it was reported that Gann needed an escort to leave the playing room in one piece. Although I would imagine the 26,750 Euros he pocketed for eighth place made it worthwhile.

Team Americas vs Team Europe

This one's from five years ago in a team match up tournament.

Dan Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth facing off against Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier and amateur John Harvey.

Hellmuth begins the hand suggesting that he's only looked at one of his cards when facing an all in in from Team Europe with Ah3c. The Ac is revealed before Hellmuth slows the game down by insisting they don't look at the remaining hole card until after the hand.

After some grumblings he finally turns it over to show Team Americas has AcAs. 92% to win the hand.

Now everybody is calling for a beat for a perceived slow roll. Even the watching Jennifer Harman, although Hellmuth is still claiming he didn't look beforehand.

The flop comes 2c 4d Kd, and the tension rises.

Turn is 5d! Boom. Unlucky Phil.

River is a blank 9d putting four diamonds out there, but they help neither team.

Probably not really deserved this one, but as it's Phil and he can't help opening his mouth in one way or another it's still funny to see.

We all love you Phil. Keep up the entertainment, please.