With eight players left and the stakes sky-high, Jim Collopy found himself in a tense showdown against Dylan Weisman at a four-handed table. The blinds stood at 15,000-30,000 with a big blind ante of 30,000. From the button, Collopy made a standard raise to 65,000. Weisman, defending his big blind, called.
The flop came down, and after a continuation bet from Collopy, Weisman stayed in the hand. The turn brought more intrigue, leading to a check from both players. But it was the river where things exploded—Weisman fired a massive overbet of 500,000. Collopy, sitting with two pair, had a difficult decision to make. In the end, he made the disciplined laydown, preserving his stack and extending his tournament life.
Breaking Down the Hand: Key Decisions at Each Street
Preflop: Setting the Stage
Jim Collopy was in a strong position, opening from the button with K-10 suited—a hand that plays well both preflop and postflop. With two broadway cards and the possibility of making flushes and straights, this was a standard raise.
Dylan Weisman, a two-time WSOP bracelet winner and a strong postflop player, called from the big blind. Given his deep understanding of ranges and board textures, he wasn’t going to fold too easily, especially with a hand that could improve significantly.
Flop: Top Pair vs. Flush Draw
The flop favored Collopy as he hit top pair with his K-10. Weisman, however, had a low flush draw, meaning both players had a real reason to continue.
- Weisman checked, as expected, letting Collopy take the lead.
- Collopy fired out a continuation bet of 85,000, which kept his aggressive stance intact.
- Weisman called, keeping the pot in control while still chasing his flush.
At this stage, Collopy was ahead, but Weisman had plenty of outs.
Turn: The Flush Completes
The turn changed everything. A third heart hit the board, completing Weisman’s flush.
- Weisman, instead of leading out, checked again, perhaps setting a trap.
- Collopy, now holding two pair (kings and tens), opted to check behind.
His decision here was crucial. Many players might have fired a second bullet to protect their hand, but Collopy recognized the dangers. If Weisman had already hit a flush, betting could have backfired. Checking kept the pot manageable and gave him more control heading into the river.
River: The Overbet That Ended the Hand
The final community card was the Ace of Diamonds, another scare card. It completed multiple possible straights and could have improved a variety of hands.
- With 345,000 in the pot, Weisman made a huge overbet of 500,000.
- Collopy, holding two pair in a dangerous spot, had to decide whether to call or fold.
This was the classic dilemma: Was Weisman bluffing, or did he have the goods?
The Fold That Saved His Tournament Life
Collopy’s two pair now functioned as a bluff catcher. He was only beating hands that missed draws or were turning made hands into bluffs. Weisman’s aggressive overbet put the pressure on, making it an extremely tough call.
In the end, Collopy made the right decision. He folded, avoiding disaster and keeping his tournament hopes alive. His discipline paid off, as he later reached the final table and secured a sixth-place finish worth $40,000.
Why Was This Fold So Important?
Collopy’s decision to let go of two pair in such a high-stakes situation was no accident. It was a calculated move based on experience and game theory. Here’s why it was the right choice:
- Weisman’s betting pattern suggested strength. He called on the flop, checked on the turn after completing his flush, then went for max value on the river.
- The board was scary. With a flush and straight possibilities, Collopy was losing to many hands.
- Stack preservation mattered. A wrong call here could have crippled his chances of making the final day. Instead, he stayed alive and cashed for another significant payday.
Jim Collopy’s PokerGO Tour Success
Collopy’s run wasn’t just about this one hand. He had an incredible season on the PokerGO Tour, cashing in 21 events and earning a seat in the exclusive $1,000,000 Championship freeroll.
His decision-making and ability to avoid unnecessary risks were major factors in his season-long success. By folding in this spot, he kept his head above water and continued to compete at the highest level.
What Can Players Learn From This Hand?
This hand is a textbook example of when to lay down a strong hand in the face of overwhelming evidence. Key takeaways for poker players:
- Top pair or two pair isn’t always a calling hand. If the board is dangerous and an opponent’s betting pattern signals strength, it’s okay to fold.
- Big river bets often mean big hands. Unless you have a strong read that your opponent is bluffing, caution is best.
- Tournament survival is more important than one pot. Collopy’s discipline helped him go deeper in the event and earn a solid payday.
While big calls make headlines, smart folds keep pros in the game. And that’s exactly what Jim Collopy did.
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