Big Stax 1100 (Day 1A): Pinnola's Big Break Before Break

Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 166
Day 1A Players Remaining: 80

Max Pinnola

Players are moments away from their final break of the night, and Max Pinnola will be heading to that break as one of the chip leaders in the room after scoring a double knockout on Table 45.

Max raised pre-flop from the hijack seat for an uncaptured amount before big blind pushed all-in for about 50,000. UTG, who originally limped into the hand, flat-called big blind's raise before Pinnola shoved all-in over the top, having both of the other players covered.

UTG made the call and they were three-handed.

Pinnola: 10♥10♣     BB: 9♥9♦    UTG: A♦J♠

Flop: K♦5♠2♥
Turn: 4♣
River: K♥

Pinnola's pocket 10s held up and he chipped up to close to 300,000.

While waiting for more players to join the now-shorthanded table, players discussed the action that took place on the hand, and wondered why UTG didn't shove all-in instead of flat-calling. Pinnola said that if UTG had shoved instead of flat-calling, he would have gotten out of the hand, meaning that big blind would have more than doubled up instead of getting eliminated.

Should've could've would've.