After two weeks of splashy action, it was time for more "Watch Your Step" footage featuring the ever-active Frank Stepuchin on "Poker After Dark."
The action on PokerGO was heavy once more at $50/$100/$100 (big blind ante) with some straddling kicking things up this week. Nearly all of that involved Stepuchin, and he clashed frequently and memorably with neighbors Marle Cordeiro and Ronnie Bardah, particularly the former.
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River Bluff-Raise Works for Richardson
With a $500 straddle on, Alan Richardson called second to act with q♣️
Both players checked it down despite missing the board as it came 5♣️
Stepuchin's Straight No Good
Stepuchin opened with q♣️5♦️ to $300 in the cutoff and Cordeiro called with k♦️10♠️ on his left. Ilyas Abayev came along with j♦️j♣️ in the big blind.
Abayev still had the best of it on the 7♠️9♠️8♦️ and came out betting with $300. Everyone called to see the 6♥️ turn. Abayev continued for $600 and Stepuhcin made it $1,300 with his straight. Cordeiro cold-called and Abayev came along for the 6♣️ river.
Abayev checked, Stepuchin bet $2,500 and Cordeiro instantly called. Abayev took some time then mucked. Cordeiro dragged the $10,850 in the middle.
Stepuchin's Suspicion Proves Costly
With the straddle back on at $500, Cordeiro opened for $1,400 under the gun with k♣️4♣️. Stepuchin defended with a♥️5♦️ in the straddle.
Neither player connected with the j♠️q♣️3♥️ flop but Stepuchin nonetheless check-called $1,000. On the 5♣️, Stepuchin checked and called a bigger bet of $3,000. Before he did so, he flashed neighbor Ronnie Bardah his hand.
"I saw your hand," Cordeiro said with a smile as soon as Stepuchin's bet hit the felt.
"Check," said Stepuchin as the 3♣️ fell. "We'll see what you do with it."
Cordeiro shoved for $10,950 effective.
"Actually, I think you might have made a flush, then," Stepuchin said as he thought. "Like Negreanu, saying what you have then calling and still losing."
That's exactly what happened as he called and watched as the dealer sent the $32,950 to his neighbor.
Stepuchin's Revenge
Stepuchin opened for $300 with 9♣️7♠️ in the hijack and Cordeiro made it $1,000 holding ♦️aa♣️ in the cutoff. Richardson cold-called with 9♦️9♥️ and they were three to the flop.
That came 6♠️10♦️6♦️. Cordeiro continued for $1,400 and received two quick calls. The 8♥️ turn checked around for a 3♦️ river. Cordeiro bet $4,300. Richardson tanked awhile then released.
"Turn a gutshot and a diamond came," Stepuchin groused. "Now I'm in a dilemma here."
He turned over his cards in case nobody believed him. After a few minutes in the tank, he tossed in a chip, getting some measure of revenge when that earned him the $16,050.
Bardah Runs Out Pure
Alex Ding, who had dominated the previous two episodes but been a bit more muted here, opened to $300 in the hijack with 7♣️2♦️. Bardah called with ♦️a5♦️ but Stepuchin woke up to a♣️k♣️ on the button and made it $1,100 to go. Both opponents called.
On the 9♦️8♥️a♥️, only Bardah called the $2,500 that came from Stepuchin. On the q♦️ turn, Stepuchin opted to barrel big for $7,300 into $8,550. Bardah counted down his stack and called. There looked to be about $9,000 left to play on the river, which came a 10♦️. Bardah checked and Stepuchin checked back.
"Good check," Bardah said, turning over his flush.
Stepuchin fist-bumped his neighbor in surrender.
