T2o - This seemingly insignificant hand made World Series of Poker (WSOP) history and became a symbol of the legendary Doyle Brunson. Not once, but twice in a row (in 1976 and 1977), it was this hand that brought him the World Championship title.
The story of the first legendary win (WSOP 1976)
Doyle Brunson found himself in the 1976 WSOP Main Event final against Jesse Alto, a talented player who was held in high regard in the poker community. Brunson was the chipleader in heads-up play, and when he was dealt a hand that most players today might not even play in heads-up T with 2 s, he decided to give it a shot. Alto held A c J h, making him a significant preflop favorite.
The flop brought A h J with T h, putting Doyle one pair behind. Alto sensed his chance to get back in the game and came in with a pot-sized bet. Doyle, in an attempt to intimidate Alto, opted to go all in and Alto immediately called. Only the miracle of a runner-runner of two particular cards could save Doyle.
The turn brought the 2c, thanks to which Doyle also had two pair. Then the river T d sealed the deal and Brunson completed the full house, ruining Jesse's title chances for good. This hand brought him his first WSOP title, a $220,000 payday, and wrote the first chapter of Doyle's legendary hand.
WSOP 1977: History repeats itself
A year later, Doyle found himself in the WSOP finals again - this time facing off against Gary "Bones" Berland in heads-up play. And if anyone guessed that fate couldn't get any crazier, they'd be wrong. Brunson once again found himself in a tie game with the infamous T with 2h. On the other side of the table sat Berland with 8 h 5 c, and well, both of them got to play with these below-average hands.
The flop brought T d 8 s 5 h and thus top pair for Doyle against Berland's two pair. The fatal card was the turn 2c, which allowed Brunson to hit second pair. Doyle tried a high bet on the turn on his opponent and the answer was Berland's all-in, which the defending champion called immediately. When another T c arrived on the river, which only sealed the story, history repeated itself. A full house once again secured him the world title and the $340,000 prize. At the same time, the immortality of Doyle's hand in the poker world was cemented.
Doyle's Hand Today - An Iconic Phenomenon
To this day, the 10-2 hand is known as "Doyle's Hand" and many players play it out of sentiment, even though statistically it is one of the weakest hands possible. Nevertheless, it remains the symbol of a poker legend who proved that in the right hands, even the weakest hand can deliver a win.
The next time you get 10-2 and want to throw it away, think of Doyle Brunson. Maybe your fateful moment awaits in this very hand!
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