Doyle Brunsons 10-2

This hand was made famous Doyle Texas Dolly Brunson, one of pokers all-time legends and a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. Brunson won the World Series of Poker Championship event in back to back years (1976 and 1977). In 1976, Brunsons final opponent was Jesse Alto who held Ace-Jack. Brunson held the 10 and 2 of spades. On the previous hand, Brunson had just taken a large pot, and called Altos raise before the flop. The flop came down A-J-10, Alto hit a pair of twos and Brunson picking up a pair of tens. When the turn came out a 2, Brunson put the pressure on Alto. The river brought another 10 and Brunson made a full house (three 10s and two 2s). This easily beat Altos two pair and Brunson won his first championship.

Ironically, Brunson was holding 10-2 again the following year, when the Championship came down to Brunson and Bones Berland. Berland was holding 8-5 when the flop came down 10-8-5. The turn cards were a deuce, giving both players two pair. Berland moved all in. The flop brought another 10 giving Brunson another full house of three 10s and two 2s, and his second World Series of Poker championship.

Black 9s, the Phil Helmuth Hand

In the 1989 World Series of Poker main event, Johnny Chan looked unbeatable. Chan was the defending back to back WSOP champion having won in both 1987and 1988. Chan was the experienced veteran and Helmuth was the young Poker Brat. Helmuth, known for his outgoing style of intimidating approach, had about twice as many chips as Chan. The 1989 WSOP came down to Helmuth holding Black 9s, the 9 of spades and 9 of clubs. Chan was holding the Ace and Jack of spades.

Helmuth threw out an opening bet. Chan raised about a third of his stack, and Helmuth immediately moved all-in. Chan called with everything he had. The flop was K-K-10 with no clubs giving Helmuth two pair and Chan no help. He needed an Ace or Jack, but the turn brought the Queen of spades, and river the 6 of spades. With the help of his black nine, Helmuth became the youngest World Series of Poker Champion at the time.

Dan Harringtons 8-6 Semi-Bluff

Action Dan Harrington is a long time WSOP player who is respected by his peers for his solid play. His style contrasts starkly with the free wheeling high-risk approach of many younger and inexperienced online poker players.

Harringtons semi-tight reputation gave him the ability to catch other players off guard. At the final table of the 2004 WSOP main event, Action Dan found himself battling David Williams, a rising star in the poker world. Harrington held 8-6 with 5-3-2-9 showing on the board. This gave Harrington two inside straight draws, which meant he need a 4 or a 7 on the river to give him the straight. Harrington moved all-in, probably hoping to push Williams out, but Williams called with two low pairs. The river gave Williams a full house and knocked Harrington out of the tournament.