The Most Insane Call in the History of Poker

A hand breakdown that has received a lot of attention among poker fans everywhere saw Doug Polk facing off against Alec Torelli.

The announcer called it "The Battle of the YouTubers" as Polk (75K) and Torelli (27K) have more than 100,000 subscribers combined. Each poker pro dutifully analyzed the same hand and produced their own video, resulting in over 183,000 times that the action has been viewed.

Insane or Best Ever?

It's very interesting for us poker pro wannabes to get the perspective of both the winning and losing player of the same hand as they detail their thought processes along the way. After all, it can't be both The Most Insane Call and the Best Poker Call ever at the same time, can it?

Yet that is how Polk and Torelli title their respective video analyses. Their individual viewpoints depend on who won and lost.

The action unfolds at a $25/$50 Live at the Bike cash game with $100 straddle in play. Both players know that the action is broadcast for all the world to see and that likely has some bearing on how each decides to play the hand.

In fact, Polk was heard to say "no more bluffing for the fans" after Torelli scooped the $23,775 pot.

Hearing Voices

The hand is seemingly a good study for the ongoing debate of Game Theory Optimal (GTO) vs Exploitative Play. Alec admitted to following his intuition and going against logic, listening to a little voice in his head in continuing to call the bets of the Upswing Poker co-founder.

Torelli explained:

"Some things in live poker go a little bit beyond theory."

That line of thinking didn't quite mesh with Polk's analysis when he stated:

"On the turn, with (pocket) jacks, you have a crystal clear fold."

I suppose the voices in Alec's head kept his decision from being crystal clear.

After watching the videos, you decide. Most insane or best call in the history of poker?