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Kirby's Turn Jam with 5♣4♣ on 5♠J♦2♠3♣ — Saakian Calls
Jeff Kirby jams 2.6M on the turn with 5♣4♣; Sergei Saakian calls with A♦4♦ and wins when the 5♥ rivers.
At Level 25 (30,000/60,000), Jeff Kirby puts his ~2,600,000-chip stack in on the turn holding 5♣4♣ on a board of 5♠J♦2♠3♣. Sergei Saakian calls with A♦4♦, the 5♥ completes the board, and Kirby is eliminated in third for $10,833.
The training angle: Kirby had top pair, but Saakian's ace kicker and live four make this a thin jam once the 3♣ hits.
Illustrative hand
Villain range · 37 hands · 266 combos
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A2+,44+,54s,32s
Setup: Level 25 blinds 30,000/60,000. Jeff Kirby holds 5♣4♣ with roughly 2,600,000 behind (~43bb). Sergei Saakian covers.
Flop: 5♠J♦2♠. Kirby flops top pair with a gutshot; Saakian continues with ace-high and a live four.
Turn: The 3♣ lands, pairing the board and adding straight texture. Kirby jams his remaining ~2,600,000. Saakian holds A♦4♦ and faces the all-in.
River: The 5♥ completes the board (5♠J♦2♠3♣5♥). Kirby was drawing only to a chop, but Saakian tables A♦4♦ and wins the pot when both players show pair-of-fives hands with Saakian's ace kicker.
Result / conclusion: Saakian's call was correct. Kirby busts in third for $10,833; Saakian moves on with ~6,650,000. Kirby's turn jam was too thin once Saakian can call with ace-high and a live four on this runout.
Decision fork: - Jam: Max value vs worse pairs and some draws, but punishes you when Saakian's ace-four dominates. - Check/call or check/fold: Safer when the turn pairs and villain's range includes ace-x and better pairs.
Teaching bullets: - Top pair is not always a jam on paired, straight-heavy turn cards. - Price Saakian's calling range in the equity calculator before committing 43bb. - Stack-off decisions near the bubble of a pay jump need a clear villain range, not a vague "Ace".
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Educational / illustrative training angle — Daily Poker Spot was not at the table. We paraphrase public reporting and add a practice lens; verify details at the source.