Hey, I Know You

One of the more interesting dynamics in these Super High Roller tournaments revolves around the fact that many of these players know each other (and their playing habits) extremely well, as this cast of characters are part of only a small group of players who are bankrolled for $100,000 events.

Table 4 is particuarly captivating as it features Max Altergott and Igor Kurganov, who know each other as well as any two players could. That familiarty may be part of the reason that Table 4 has been noticeably more active than the others, particularly preflop.

Altergott opens to 7,500 in middle position, and Sean Winter gets himself unknowingly stuck in the middle with a call in the next seat over. One more seat over, Kurganov squeezes in a three-bet to 32,500. Altergott is undeterred, flicking out another raise to 65,000 total. Winter gets the idea and ducks out of the way, sending the action back to Kurganov. How about a five-bet? He makes it 117,500 total, and Altergott frowns and folds.

Max Altergott – 455,000