When opponent leaves table to smoke during million-dollar pot - Dan Cates also confused hand analysis

Hand Background

This hand took place at the Triton Series London stop, featuring players Danny Tang, Elton Tsang, and Dan "Jungleman" Cates. The pot reached approximately $1.2 million, but on the river, Elton Tsang suddenly removed his microphone, left the table to smoke a cigarette, leaving the other players waiting.

Preflop Action

With the blind level high, Dan Cates raised from the button, and Elton Tsang called from the big blind. Jonathan Little noted that with deep stacks, Cates’ raise sizing was reasonable, and Tsang defended with a reasonable range.

Flop

After the flop came out, Tsang checked, Cates bet about two-thirds of the pot, and Tsang called. Little believes Cates’ bet sizing was good, extracting value and protecting his hand.

Turn

The turn was a high card. Tsang checked again, Cates continued betting, and Tsang called once more. Little emphasized that Cates had a strong hand at this point, but Tsang’s call indicated he had a made hand or a draw.

River and the Table-Leaving Incident

After the river came, Tsang checked for the third time. Cates thought for a moment and decided to bet. Tsang then went into a long tank. A few minutes later, he suddenly stood up, removed his microphone, left the table, and went to smoke. Both tournament staff and fellow players were surprised. About five minutes later, Tsang returned and eventually folded.

Strategies for Dealing with an Opponent Leaving the Table

Jonathan Little shared the following points:

• Stay Calm: Don’t change your decision due to your opponent’s unusual behavior. Focus on the hand, not the opponent’s actions.
• Evaluate the Opponent’s Intent: The opponent may be deliberately trying to pressure you, or they may genuinely need a break. Generally, if they leave after a long think, it’s more likely a real need rather than a bluff.
• Use Time Rules: Most poker rooms have clear time limits. If the opponent exceeds the time, their hand may be automatically ruled a fold. In this tournament, staff allowed the delay, but that’s not usually tolerated.
• Don’t Imitate This Yourself: In regular games, leaving the table can disrupt the game or lead to penalties. It’s not recommended.

Summary

This hand showcases a rare situation in high-stakes poker. The key takeaway for regular players is: no matter what your opponent does, focus on your own decisions. If your opponent leaves the table, you can take a brief moment to relax, but be ready to refocus when they return. In lower-stakes games, such behavior is rare, but if it happens, maintain discipline and don’t let it distract you.

(Content based on Jonathan Little’s analysis; hand details from the Triton Series public video.)