The poker world was left breathless after an incredible sequence of events at the final table of the 2025 U.S. Poker Open’s $15,000 no-limit hold’em event. With just six players remaining, a colossal clash took place between two of the game’s brightest stars: Alex Foxen, the chip leader, and David Coleman, the 2024 GPI Player of the Year. What followed was a dramatic poker confrontation that left everyone wondering: could Coleman’s audacious double-check raise bluff actually pay off?
The Scene: A Tense Final Table
As the tournament heated up, the stakes were undeniably high. With the blinds at 25,000-50,000 and a 50,000 big blind ante, the chips were in play, and the action was fast-paced. At the center of it all, Alex Foxen, known for his aggressive style, was leading the pack with approximately 3.9 million in chips. His opponent, David Coleman, had about 2.05 million, but his reputation as a fierce competitor and seasoned player had him poised to make a big move.
It was from this tension-filled setup that the hand of the tournament began to unfold.
The Pre-Flop Battle: Foxen Takes the Lead
Foxen, holding K♥ K♦, opened the betting from the cutoff with a raise to 100,000. His hand—pocket kings—was certainly strong, but it was a hand that Coleman had some potential to play against. Coleman, with a more modest hand of J♠ 8♠ in the big blind, defended and called.
The flop came down K♣ 9♦ 2♠, giving Foxen a set of kings, a dream flop for a player holding such a strong pair. Coleman, on the other hand, had little to connect with but still found himself in a spot where the game could unfold in unpredictable ways.
Foxen led out with a bet of 70,000. The size of the bet was designed to give Coleman a chance to act, and act he did. Rather than just folding or calling, Coleman opted for a bold check-raise to 280,000. This was an indication that Coleman wasn’t simply giving up on the hand—he was trying to take control of the situation.
Foxen, with his overwhelming advantage, called. At this point, Card Player Poker Odds calculated Foxen’s chances at a staggering 94% to win the hand. It seemed as though Coleman was already looking for a miracle to stay alive in the pot.
The Turn: A Glimmer of Hope for Coleman
The turn card, the 10♠, was a moment of dramatic tension. For Foxen, it was another card that kept him well ahead, giving him a strong top set with three kings on the board. But for Coleman, the 10♠ provided an opportunity he couldn’t ignore. The card gave him a flush draw and an open-ended straight draw. Suddenly, his odds of winning the hand went from a mere 6% to 30%.
Coleman checked again. The ball was now back in Foxen’s court, and the chip leader didn’t hesitate. He bet 280,000, a third of the pot. It was a standard-sized bet, one designed to keep pressure on Coleman while maintaining control of the hand.
Coleman, undeterred by the odds, made a move that would become the talk of the tournament.
The Bluff: David Coleman’s Double Check-Raise All-In
After a brief pause, Coleman decided to go for broke. He put in a massive double check-raise jam, pushing all of his remaining chips into the middle. The move was aggressive, daring, and full of guts. Coleman was risking everything on the hope that Foxen would fold, or at least make a mistake.
Foxen, with his monster set of kings, didn’t even think twice. He snap-called. At that moment, the pot ballooned to an enormous 4,075,000 chips, creating an intense standoff between the two players. As the cards were revealed, it was clear that Coleman’s daring play was going to come up short.
Foxen held a dominating position with his set of kings, while Coleman was left hoping for a miracle.
The River: The Final Twist
The river card, however, was not to be Coleman’s salvation. The board completed with the 3♣, leaving Foxen’s set of kings as the winning hand. Coleman’s double check-raise bluff had fallen short, and his tournament life was officially over.
Foxen, on the other hand, continued to build his chip stack, and his decisive play at this moment marked a critical point in his pursuit of victory at the 2025 U.S. Poker Open.
Why This Hand Will Go Down in Poker Lore
What made this hand so memorable wasn’t just the enormous pot or the high stakes of the tournament. It was the psychology behind Coleman’s play and Foxen’s confident call. Poker is often as much about reading your opponent as it is about the cards you hold, and this hand exemplified that to perfection.
Coleman’s decision to go for the double check-raise all-in was both a gamble and a testament to his belief in the power of pressure. For a brief moment, it seemed as if Foxen might be intimidated into folding. But in the end, Foxen’s unflappable nature and confidence in his hand led him to make the right call, crushing Coleman’s chances.
For poker fans, this hand will surely be discussed for years to come. It’s a prime example of what makes the game so unpredictable and exciting. Coleman’s fearless move may have cost him the pot, but it added another unforgettable moment to the 2025 U.S. Poker Open.
