Boski Wynns Again

(Photo: WSOP.com)

The ability to put the element of fear into your opponents at the poker table gives you an overwhelming and incredible advantage.

When other players fear your poker skills and abilities, it can throw them off their game and make them play poorly. It often results in them making decisions that are based more on not wanting to lose rather than aiming for the win.

Owning an Event

No player knows that better than Jeff 'Boski' Sluzinski, whose reputation as a dominant tournament player, particularly at the Wynn's $225 R + A, is completely off the charts. Boski's revered status in that event compelled his remaining opponent to do what many would consider a total pus*y move - he agreed to equally chop 1st and 2nd place prize money while holding almost a 2 to 1 chip advantage (63% of the chips, actually).

Yes, you heard that correctly. Two players remaining in the tournament, and the one with almost double the chip lead agreed to an equal chop.

Adding even more insult to the frightened chip leader - or perhaps more respect toward Boski - was that he also agreed to give up $1 more of the prize money, technically giving Sluzinski the tournament victory.

Regret Kicks In

As if all that weren't incredible enough, after chopping and having some time to think about his decision (and no doubt celebrating by cooking up one of those sizzling steaks that he loves so much), Boski felt he should have played on.

"After the fact, I regretting chopping," Boski replied to a comment from one of his viewers. "He was very weak/tight, which is my dream matchup heads up."

First ( $4,485) and second place ($3,034) were separated by about $1,400, meaning that Boski could have gone for $700 more by taking on the chip leader instead of accepting the chopped $3,760.

Those unfamiliar with why Sluzinski would command such respect and be able to strike such fear in another player need merely look at his past results at Wynn's. He won three of the $225 R+As in a row in December and came in 7th in another in January for $1,306. He is fast approaching $700K in career cashes.

Fear. Make your opponents feel it and reap the rewards. Jeff Boski does.