Mickey C Poker Team HU Challenge

A few weeks back I watched the episodes of the Caesars Cup from the past WSOPE. From the beginning I really enjoyed the format. A team from America and a team from Europe took on eachother in HU hold’em matches in a unique format. You don’t play your HU match alone. You play with a partner! Two players, one hand! But players cannot discuss what to do during the hand. If this sounds a bit fuzzy don’t worry, just click here to see how it went down at the Caesar’s Cup and it all becomes clear!

Since the idea of a series of team HU hold’em matches really caught my attention, I thought I would go and select some players who would like to join my team. Thomas Vanbrabant, Michiel Maes and Jessica De Roeck were eager to join the team. So with these guys (and girl) on board I presented the idea to the rest of our player group. Four players rose to the challenge, Niels Blommaert as captain, Dennis Van Hove, Tom De Jonghe and Maarten De Laere.

Niels was first to pick someone of his team, his choice befell Dennis Van Hove. I countered and put Thomas Vanbrabant on to the felt. When Niels picked Tom De Jonghe, I decided to join Thomas. The first match was on his way! We started out great, putting real pressure on Dennis and Tom. First they were struck back by our agression but fought back. They almost even felted Thomas and me! But with lady luck on our side we fought back and eventually were a bit lucky to hit a queen to win the first match: 1-0.

Second match: Michiel Maes and Jessica De Roeck vs Niels Blommaert and Maarten De Laere. The agression of Niels and Maarten really outdid our team. With some nice moves and pure agression Niels and Maarten took down the second match. So after two matches the game was tied:  1-1.

Now it was my time to pick again. Michiel Maes stayed in his seat and Niels put Dennis Van Hove in front of Michiel. I decided it was time for me to step back in the ring and Niels thought the same. And we were off. We made some nice standard HU moves against the agressive duo. But when we got the money in on a board of T A T with QJ, Niels immediately called with QT. So down and out for Michiel and me: 1-2.

The third match was really do or die for us. Because of that I was sure to put Thomas Vanbrabant into the match! But I had to wait until Niels choice a first. Tom De Jonghe entered the ring and I put Jessica in front of him. Next Niels put Maarten on the felt and the logical choice for me was to put Thomas Vanbrabant out there. After a long match Jessica and Thomas grinded to the chip lead and the win. We were back in the running: 2-2!

This final match decided the MCP Team HU Challenge. I put out my best HU-duo: Thomas Vanbrabant and Michiel Maes. Niels did the exact same, his choice fell on Dennis and himself. The match was over a lot faster then I thought, on a board of J87, Niels bet and Michiel pushed over the top holding the overpair Kings. Niels snapcalled with the flopped nuts T9. Nothing hit for us on the turn and river, so Team Niels won the first MCP Team HU Challenge.

Congratulations!

Mickey C

P.S.: Tom De Jonghe left earlier so that’s why he isn’t in the victory picture.

No comments yet.

Leave a comment