Halfway through level 21, with the blinds at 6,000/12,000 and the average stack up above 600,000, players are picking their battles more and more. Evidence of that was apparent at table 19 just now, as Toby Lewis (below, on the left) found himself up against the constant raises of Louis Salter.

When we joined the hand the flop was already on the table. Toby checked to Louis, who raised to 22,000. Toby called. A came down, and this time Toby checked again. Louis raised it to 75,000 this time, and again Toby called. The river was a which led to another check from Toby.

Either he wasn’t concerned that Toby was slow-playing a monster, or Louis was confident enough in his cards (or bluffing ability) to go this distance. In any case, when Louis raised it again, this time to 200,000, Toby needed to use one of his 30-second time chips to make his decision. Ultimately, he decided to fold, and Louis scooped the pot. No one was willing to show a hole card in this battle of wills, lest they give their opponent a possible future advantage.

Play continues…