PokerGO’s High Stakes Duel 5 saw a rematch between Jared “The Backer” Bleznick and recent Poker Hall of Famer Patrik Antonius. This rematch came to pass during the conclusion of their first High Stakes Duel 5 matchup where The Backer managed to wrestle control of the chip lead via a full house, culminating in Antonius throwing the red flag, signaling that the Hall of Famer wanted to face Bleznick again.
Much like their first encounter, High Stakes Duel 5 features a no-limit hold’em/pot-limit Omaha mixed cash game with rising blinds that start at $200/$400 in Round 2. Players are given $100,000 in chips, and just like the first duel, the majority was noting that Bleznick has the edge in PLO, while Antonius has the slight edge in NLH.
Bleznick Starts Off Strong
Round 1
Bleznick: AS, AC
Antonius: AH, 5H
Dealer: 9S, 2H, 2D, 3H, 6C
The rematch started with Antonius on the button and playing a $1000 raise with his AH 5H hand. The Backer raised three-bet to $5,400 with his pocket aces. With $10,800 on the line, the flop showed 9S, 2H, and 2D. Bleznick continued the pressure with a $4,000 bet, and Antonius called, and when the 3H showed up during the turn, all signs pointed to a win for Antonius.
Bleznick checked and then called a bet of $8,000. Unfortunately, the flush or straight flush Antonius was banking on didn’t materialize, as the river drew a 6C, and both players checked. After the show hands, Bleznick’s overpair was enough to draw first blood, and had Antonius suddenly in a quick chip deficit.
Round 2
Bleznick: KS, KD, KC, 8H
Antonius: AS, QC, JH, 3C
Dealer: 2H, JD, 10D, KH, 2S
Antonius was trying to get out of the hole he found himself in, but the hands dealt in Round 2 didn’t do him any favors. Bleznick had a strong hand with 3 Kings and an 8H, while Antonius had AS, QC, JH, and 3C to start.
The dealer proceeded with the flop, resulting in 2H, JD, and 10D. Antonius limped his way into a working hand, and after the flop saw himself potentially winning with a top pair and a gutshot straight draw. This made the HOFer bet $600 into the $1,200 pot, to which Bleznick called.
The turn was in favor for The Backer, as the KH had him playing with three Ks to Antonius’ hand. Both players started making their plays – Bleznick’s play led into his opponent for $1,500, while Antonius responded with a raise, to $7,000, with his straight. With outs to a full house, Bleznick came along.
The river showed 2S, and The Backer Kings full was a better hand than the HOFer, but The Backer led out once more, this time for a pot-sized bet of $16,200. Antonius threw in one chip for a call and The Backer showed his hand, soundly beating Antonius’ straight, and raked in a sizable pot from a good play.
Deciding Round
Final Round
Bleznick: AD, QC
Antonius: AS, JD
Dealer: 4C, 7S, 3D, 10S, KS
The deciding round saw The Backer and Antonius hold an Ace-high hand. Antonius, back down to around $30,000, was the big blind and Bleznick slowplayed by just calling for $500 on the button. This play proved to be the correct one, as the HOFer called and raised for $4,000. Bleznick countered with an all in and received a snap-call.
As the dealer spread the flop, turn, and river, Bleznick once again came out on top. Antonius threw the red challenge flag yet again into the center of the table to confirm a Round 3 rematch.
With the first two rounds of High Stakes Duel 5 in the books, The Backer is up a cool $150,000 against Antonius. The HOFer will have a chance to win it all back in Round 3. The losing player must pay $200,000 to enter Round 3, increasing the prize pool to $400,000. Apart from the prize pool, the winner will also receive the High Stakes Duel Championship belt.
