Tom Dwan is The Next Big Thing

Tom Dwan has absolutely no fear in him and he’s made a fan out of me.  He’s already a poker superstar, but I think he’s going to be a legend.  He commands a ton of respect at the table and plays as big as I’ve ever seen anyone play.  I found a new Tom Dwan YouTube video of him vs. Bob Safai and it is a great watch if you’re a true poker fan.  Before commenting, I think you deserve to watch this one unfold.  Don’t look at the text below until you see the video.

Warning spoiler text coming after these words… Ok, the thing about that hand that strikes me as so fascinating is how Dwan sets up the bluff the whole way by contemplating each card very deliberately. Bob Safai (who I’ve never heard of) is the exact opposite. He’s so shaken by Dwan’s powerful presence that he bets as fast as an eager amateur would on the flop and on the turn. Dwan, smooth as he is, correctly calculates that he can steal the pot away from Safai and puts all his chips at risk to do it. It was very risky but it paid off nicely. What sold the all-in though was the timing and deliberation. If he moves in too fast, Safai probably snap calls, but because Dwan let Safai’s mind wonder, Safai was so scared of a potential two pair on the river he let his hand go (I think two pair is the only thing that gets him here).

The only thing I didn’t like about this hand was Dwan showed his cards. I thought that was a bad move and definitely rubbed Safai’s face in how bad Dwan outplayed him. There was no need for that here, especially against an elder gentleman like Safai. You made a play, you won the hand. Now have the discipline to muck the hand. You know he wanted the others at the table to see, but I don’t think Dwan wants to enhance his reputation as a bluffer out. That’s how he turns a lot of borderline or loser hands into winners and what puts him over the top into superstar category.

Loved the play, but don’t show next time.