A single hand between Andrew Robl and Eric Wasserson set a new High Stakes Poker record with a $2,478,000 pot, highlighting the volatility and risk of live high-stakes cash games in Las Vegas
A new milestone was reached in televised poker as Andrew Robl and Eric Wasserson played for a record-setting $2,478,000 pot during a recent High Stakes Poker livestream from PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. The hand, which unfolded on Saturday, now stands as the largest in the show's history, narrowly surpassing a previous $2,421,500 pot from earlier this summer. Unlike that earlier three-way contest, this record was set heads-up, underscoring the scale of risk and decision-making at the highest levels of live cash play.
How the Record Hand Played Out
The action began with Eric Wasserson raising to $20,000 on the button holding A♦9♥. Michael "Texas Mike" Moncek called from the small blind with 8♣5♣, but Andrew Robl, in the big blind, three-bet to $110,000 with J♦10♦. Wasserson responded with a four-bet to $280,000, prompting Moncek to fold. Robl called, bringing the pot to a significant size before the flop.
The flop came 9♦7♠4♠, giving Wasserson top pair. Both players checked, and the turn brought the 3♦, giving Robl a flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. After Robl checked again, Wasserson bet $200,000. Robl then check-raised all-in, putting Wasserson to a decision for his remaining $739,000. Wasserson called, and the two agreed to run the river twice. Wasserson won both runouts, securing the entire $2.4 million pot.
Financial Impact for Players
The outcome of the hand had immediate financial consequences for those involved. Andrew Robl, despite his reputation as one of the most accomplished cash game players, finished the session down $669,500. Eric Wasserson booked a $2.1 million win, just short of his $2.3 million score from a fifth-place finish at the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event last year. Michael Moncek ended with a modest $276,500 profit, while Rick Salomon and Alejandro Lococo recorded losses of $280,500 and $1,021,000, respectively.
Context in High-Stakes Poker
This record-breaking hand highlights the volatility and scale of modern televised cash games, where single pots can eclipse the total prize pools of many major tournaments. The previous record, set earlier this summer, involved three players and was slightly smaller in value. High-stakes poker continues to attract attention for its dramatic swings and the skill required to navigate such deep-stacked situations. For comparison, recent high-stakes tournament results, such as Klemens Roiter's €25,000 EPT Barcelona win, have also drawn interest for their large payouts, as seen in this coverage of major European tournament results.
Understanding the dynamics of high-stakes cash games is essential for grasping the significance of these record pots. Unlike tournaments, where players are eliminated and payouts are structured, cash games allow players to reload and continue playing, leading to potentially unlimited swings in a single session. The size of the pot is determined by the depth of the stacks and the willingness of players to risk large sums, making each decision critical and the variance extreme compared to standard tournament play.
