Nicholas Seward opened the action from the cutoff with a raise to 1,200,000. David Coleman, on the button, considered joining the action with A?5? but opted to fold. Konstantyn Holskyi then went all in for 1,700,000 from the small blind. Akinobu Maeda, in the big blind, asked the dealer about Seward's options if he were to call, but the floor ruled against any additional raise. Despite this, Maeda decided to fold, and Seward made the call.
Konstantyn Holskyi: A?10?
Nicholas Seward: Q?7?
The board ran out favorably for Holskyi with K?6?2?J?2?, securing another double-up for him.
Konstantyn Holskyi was forced all in for his last 1,100,000 in the big blind and David Coleman called in the small blind.
Konstantyn Holskyi: 7?6?
David Coleman: Q?9?
The 8?6?5? flop was massive for Holskyi as he flopped a pair and an open-ended straight draw. The 3? turn and 10? flop meant Holsyki could stay in his seat as he pulled in the double.
Konstantyn Holskyi raised to 5,150,000 from the big blind, which happened to be exactly what Akinobu Maeda had left. Maeda took his time before deciding to call all in.
Akinobu Maeda: Q?9?
Konstantyn Holskyi: K?9?
The flop 10?A?6? favored Holskyi, but the J? turn gave Maeda numerous outs for a potential straight. The 8? on the river completed Maeda's straight, leaving Holskyi with just one big blind.
After David Coleman checked the stacks of the players to act after him, he decided to raise to 1,000,000 on the button with 8?8?. Akinobu Maeda opted to defend his big blind with K?8?.
Maeda check-called Coleman's 500,000 bet on the 3?9?3? flop.
The turn brought the A?, and Maeda checked again. Coleman continued with a 750,000 bet, and Maeda called after some deliberation.
The K? on the river gave Maeda top pair, but he chose to check. Coleman also checked, visibly displeased with the outcome as the pot went to Maeda.
With 14 bracelets and nearly $50 million in tournament earnings between the four of them, there's no denying that Shaun Deeb, Josh Arieh, Daniel Weinman and Matt Glantz are poker crushers. But with resumes that include a $1 million bounty pull, a body fat prop bet victory worth nearly the same amount and a win in the biggest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in history, it's clear the group of close friends also have luck on their sides.
The four American poker players have branded themselves as "Team Lucky" — a name that Deeb may have come up with, though they aren't certain — as a way of consciously embracing and owning their good fortunes while fighting back against the jaded cynicism all to common in the poker world.
But Team Lucky is about more than once-in-a-lifetime bounty binks and turned two-outers leading to $12 million scores. As PokerNews learned during brunch with its four members, is more about friendship, camaraderie, and shared values than a good run of cards.
David Coleman opened 1,100,000 in the small blind and Konstantyn Holskyi defended the big blind.
The dealer spread a flop of A?7?6? and Coleman continued for 675,000. Holskyi moved all in for 3,000,000 and Coleman quickly called.
Konstantyn Holskyi: 10?6?
David Coleman: 7?5?
Both players flopped a pair but Holskyi was in trouble with a pair of sixes. The K? hit the turn, giving Holskyi a flush draw and the 6? river improved him to trip sixes to remain in the tournament.
Konstantyn Holskyi went all in for his last 2,050,000 from the small blind after everyone folded to him. Akinobu Maeda, in the big blind, tanked for a while as he only needed around 2,000,000 to call. Eventually, he made the call.
Konstantyn Holskyi: J?8?
Akinobu Maeda: 9?4?
The flop came 2?10?6?, giving Holskyi a flush draw.
The 3? turn provided Maeda with additional outs for a potential straight.
However, the 7? on the river completed Holskyi's double-up.