Texas Mike VPIPs 99% and Cracks Aces with 5-3 Offsuit in $113K Pot on HCL

A few months after dumping more than $2 million into the Hustler Casino Live Million Dollar Game, Michael “Texas Mike” Moncek returned to poker’s most-watched cash game live stream.

As usual, Moncek was the center of attention, playing 99% of hands in the $10/$20/$40 game, which featured notable players like Kelly Lucas (formerly Minkin) and Ethan “Rampage” Yau.

Moncek was involved in every pot except one, breaking his own VPIP record of 89% set in April. Last time, he netted an extra $260K, and he was certainly hoping for a repeat performance.

Texas Mike Hits the River in $113K Pot

Zeo kicked off the action, making it $200 to go from the hijack with the lovely-looking A♥A♣. Jesse, with A♠6♥, called from the next seat over before Moncek looked down at 5♦3♣ in the big blind. He liked his hand enough to three-bet to $1,010 and decided to stick around when Zeo bumped the price of poker to $3,500.

Moncek paired up on the 8♥4♦3♦ flop to give him some immediate outs and check-called a bet of $4,000.

The 7♥ turn put two flush draws on the board while also giving Moncek a gutshot straight draw. A second check came from the two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, prompting Zeo to fire another $7,500 into the middle. Moncek covered his opponent and moved all in, only to see his bluff get snap-called. Zeo, who had $41,230 more behind, was a four-to-one favorite for the six-figure windfall.

The duo agreed to run it once for max pain.”I have a shot,” grimaced Moncek. “I’m definitely not dead,” he added as he performed the Sign of a Cross.

Needing a three, five or six to scoop, Moncek’s prayers were answered with the 5♣ river, improving him to two pair to seal the checkmark. Audible gasps from the table quickly followed. Moncek shared a first bump with Nick Vertucci as he raked in Zeo’s stack, who graciously took the bad beat in good spirits.

Lucas and Rampage Book Sizeable Profits

Despite winning the biggest pot of the night, Moncek was the biggest loser when the stream wrapped up. He found himself in the hole for $89,890, and Zeo couldn’t recover, ending the night down $43,990.

Lucas and Yau were some of the recipients of Moncek’s chips, with both players booking sizeable wins. Lucas padded her bankroll by a further $74,940, while Yau finished up $59,150.

Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game.

Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).