Sam Trickett Reflects on 2011: Wins, Losses, and High-Stakes Poker

Poker professional Sam Trickett had a remarkable 2011, winning three tournaments with prizes over $1,000,000. He also mentioned winning around $2,000,000 in a high-stakes game in Macau. However, his year wasn't without challenges. In December 2011, Trickett played in the Epic Poker Tour and was eliminated on the first day. He attributed his poor performance to the high-stakes games in Macau, which he believes can distort reality and affect his play.

Trickett recounted a significant bluff in his poker career. He raised $100,000 with a button, and the small blind raised to $320,000. Trickett called with about $15,000,000 in his stack. The flop was Tx 7x 3x rainbow. The small blind, who was very aggressive, checked quickly. Trickett had a gutshot to his 8h 6h and decided to bet, hoping the small blind would check/fold. However, the small blind called. Trickett thought the small blind might have a seven or a pair of eights or even an A-high. On the turn, a 3x came, which was good for Trickett. He planned to bet two more barrels. He bet $1.1 million, and the small blind raised to $3.8 million. Trickett thought the small blind was bluffing with pocket sevens or tens but was sure he wouldn't continue bluffing on the river. The river card was Jx, and the small blind checked. Trickett went all-in for $8 million, with about the same amount in the pot. The small blind thought for 30 seconds and folded. Trickett still doesn't know what the small blind had.

Trickett also discussed his experience in Australia, where he played in high-stakes tournaments. He mentioned that he dislikes losing when he plays poorly but can handle bad beats. His victory in the Partouche tournament was highlighted as a special moment in his career, with all his relatives and friends coming to support him.