The Internet kid from Michigan takes down the 2009 World Series of Poker with 99, the same hand Phil rocked it with in 1999.
From all angles it looked like online poker player Joe Cada was in over his head today. All the time from the booth, Phil Hellmuth was announcing the kid’s plays before they were even made.
Phil Hellmuth would jokingly say “Cada raises 2.5 million from the button” before the cards were even dealt – and then Cada true to form would raise the bet, from the button.
His play might have made sense had it shown results. But usually he’d bet, Moon would call, on the flop Moon would bet out and Cada would fold. We saw this again and again. And again.
And then, before we really know what hit us, Cada woke up and flipped the script.
- Cada makes a raise, Moon raised right back into him. Pretty much another obvious slap in the face from the lumberjack.
- Cada shoves all of his chips into the middle.
The burly logger sits back, he asks for a count, and does something you don’t see every day in a poker tournament. He rubs his belly. Almost in anticipation of a juicy treat to come.
Moon stands up, which is a huge indication of an impending call. Phil Laak said during a commentary provided by Bluff Magazine that it improved Moon’s odds of calling by 8%. Then, he laid it down.
It was amazing really. The entire poker world was on edge, sure he was going to call. This was it!
- And he folds?!
One has to think for a moment, what in the world did Darwin Moon lay down here? Did he realize a bit too late that he was beat, or did he miss his shot at the WSOP bracelet in this single hand?
About 10 hands later, Cada makes a bet, Moon re-raises – this has been his natural reaction all night long, and rightfully so. The board shows 10c 5d 9h.
- Moon is forcing Cada all in.
- Cada makes the call.
Another 10 is dealt on the turn, and Cada bets big into Moon, who immediately shoves all of his chips into the pot. Cada gives serious thought to his next move, after being pushed, and shoved, and punked all night long, Cada decides this IS his spot, and he calls for all of his chips.
Moon shows up with an open ender, no pair. Cada is ahead at this point with a wired pair of nines. Moon needs a jack or six, to end it right here.
Cada needs to avoid Moon’s two straight cards to double up. Good news is he’s holding one of Moon’s jacks. The river is no help to Moon and Cada in this one puts Joey Cada back into the game.
2009 WSOP Finals Winning Hand
18 hands later, in the 88th hand of the night, Moon re-raises into a bet made by Cada.
- Cada having no more of Moon’s bullying shoves his chips in.
- Moon calls without hesitation!
Cada has a pair of nines, and he’s facing Moon’s… Suited Overs!
All Joe Cada has to do here to become the World Series of Poker Main event winner of 2009 is avoid queens, jacks, and a diamond flush. The board shows 8c2c7s. While Joseph Cada was a slight favourite to win the hand pre-flop, he knows his chances have now improved dramatically to almost 80% in his favour. All Darwin Moon can do now is to hope for a Queen or a Jack or possibly a card that gives him an option for a straight on the river (a 9, which would improve Cada’s chances, or a T) – the diamond flush is no longer an option.
On the Turn we see the King of Hearts. This card helps no one but it definitely hurts Darwin Moon. This means there are only 6 outs left for him. If the River brings a Queen or a Jack he will win, but any other card will crown Joe Cada the WSOP Champion of 2009…
Everyone holds his breath. The River is being dealt. The card is turned. It is … a seven of clubs! Joe Cada’s cards hold up, and 21 year old Joseph Cada is the 2009 WSOP Champion! Darwin Moon’s run has been spectacular but ends right at the final table. Knowing him he will take the positive out of this experience. Especially since his father suggested he better take the buy-in for the WSOP which he won in a qualifier and cash it out. His decision turned out to pay off despite ending up short at the final Heads-Up.