It's been an amazing autumn run for Barny Boatman, with back-to-back cashes in all three major events: the London EPT for £11,000, WSOP Europe for £18,000 and a fourth place finish at EPT San Remo for £193,000.
Boatman is one of poker's most popular names and greatest survivors: his previous $1.8m of tournament winnings were accumulated over years of solid, regular, international cashes. Readers of my book will know I believe a player's worth should be measured in this long-term money-making, rather than the dangerous cycle of huge wins one minute, penniless the next. Boatman has never gone skint chasing gambly highs, but always stayed ahead of the game: the six-figure haul from San Remo will be safe in his hands.
One stylish pot that he played in the WSOP(E) kicked off when Boatman raised in late position with 3♠ 4♠. He got three callers and, when the flop came J♠ 3♦ 4♥, bet out and reduced his opponents to one. On the turn (Ks), his opponent check-raised to 14k, which Boatman happily called, but a J on the river was a nasty card, counterfeiting his two pairs. Nevertheless, when the opponent bet 34k, Boatman made the call – and won a 180k pot with just the 4 in his hand.
Boatman hit a lucky flop and can easily explain the many reasons for flat-calling the turn, but his river call was genius. How could he know he was against a sheer bluff, rather than three jacks or a full house? He has revealed that, from his years of live experience, he simply got a read on the guy. This is infuriating to young online players who want everything explained by maths – but when a man's won $2m over 10 years, and £222,000 in three weeks, you just can't argue with it.
