PokerGO’s High Stakes Poker Season 14, Episode 11: Justin Gavri Flips the Script; Sheds Unlucky Tag With Dominant Episode

After Episode 10 of High Stakes Poker Season 14 delivered that record-setting $1.40 Million pot, everyone was tuned into PokerGO for Episode 11 on Monday night, wondering how the show would follow up. While lightning didn’t strike twice with pots of that magnitude, the eleventh instalment kept the energy high with intense poker action, top-tier table talk, and the bluffs, which were nothing short of savage.

The familiar crew settled back into their seats for the $500/$1,000 No-Limit Hold’em game: Alan Keating, Peter Wang, Justin Gavri, Nik Airball, Vinny Lingham, and Rick Salomon. These are players known for bringing personality and deep pockets to the table, and this session was no different.

While Keating and Salomon began with intimidating seven-figure stacks, all eyes eventually turned to Justin Gavri. For a long time, Gavri seemed destined to attract misfortune on the show, so much so that some viewers felt he’d taken over Daniel Negreanu‘s old mantle as the unluckiest player in High Stakes Poker history. That narrative is officially dead and buried.

Gavri, who has been putting together a strong run in recent weeks, had a standout performance in Episode 11. He was involved in numerous juicy hands, decisively winning two significant pots – one against the formidable Rick Salomon and another taking chips from Peter Wang. This wasn’t just scraping by; Gavri was playing power poker and making it pay off. By the time the chips were bagged, Gavri had turned his $683K starting stack into a mountain worth $1.209 Million.

This impressive session puts Gavri firmly in the upper echelon of winners for the season, sitting second overall. Alan Keating still holds the top spot, ending the episode with $1.554 Million, bolstered partly by a huge pot chopped with Peter Wang.

Speaking of Wang, it was certainly an eventful night for him. Starting with the shortest stack, he took some heavy hits in large confrontations early on. Just as it seemed he might be spiraling toward felt-ville, fate threw him that lifeline in the massive chopped pot against Keating, allowing him to pull back a huge chunk of his earlier losses and find stable ground again. It was a night of dizzying ups and downs for Wang, but he navigated the turbulence, starting with a bang…

So, while Episode 11 didn’t feature a history-making pot size like its predecessor, it delivered plenty of high-stakes drama. The story of the night belonged to Justin Gavri, who decisively shed his unlucky reputation and staked his claim as a major force at the table, piling up chips and credibility in equal measure.

Starting Stacks

1. Alan Keating – $1,400,000
2. Rick Salomon – $1,300,000
3. Justin Gavri – $683,000
4. Vinny Lingham – $552,000
5. Nik Airball – $435,000
6. Peter Wang – $300,000

Peter Wang Bluff-Crushes Vinny Lingham Off Trip Nines!

Just when you thought Episode 10 had cornered the market on wild hands, Episode 11 wasted no time dealing up its own dose of poker insanity. Peter Wang, perhaps still smarting from donating to the show’s biggest-ever pot against Alan Keating previously, came out firing. He scooped a monster $231K pot early, executing a stone-cold bluff that ripped a winning hand – trip nines, believe it or not – right out of Vinny Lingham’s grasp.

Lingham just limped for $1,000, holding . Action folded around the table to Justin Gavri, who decided to bump it to $4,000 with his . Peter Wang, clearly not interested in playing small pots, put the hammer down, 3-betting to a chunky $20,000 with . Nik Airball vanished quickly. Lingham made the call, while Gavri stepped aside.

Just before the dealer fanned the flop, Lingham leaned over to Airball, confidently stating, “Peter is tilting. I think I can take him.” Those words would come back to haunt him.

The flop came down . A spicy board that gave both players diamond flush draws, but Lingham was sitting pretty with the top pair, top kicker. Wang, the preflop aggressor, didn’t hesitate, leading out with a $30,000 continuation bet. Lingham matched it without much delay.

Then the dealer peeled off the turn: . A complete blank on the surface, but Wang saw his moment. He went deep into his stack and fired a huge second barrel – $125,000 slammed into the middle, putting Lingham to the test.

Lingham went deep into the tank. You could almost see the gears turning as he processed the pot odds, the board texture, and Wang’s potential holdings. Finally, after a long pause, he let out a sigh. “Just not getting the odds to call this. He doesn’t have enough behind him. I fold.” He revealed his to the table, a sign of frustration, and asked the dealer, “Can I see the last card, please?”

The dealer turned over the river card: . Lingham would have spiked trip nines. A dagger.

Even the usually stoic Rick Salomon couldn’t hide his surprise, leaning forward and asking, “Is that three nines?!”

Meanwhile, Wang gave Airball a quick peek at his [d8] bluff before coolly tossing his cards into the muck and dragging the $231,000 pot his way. Pure highway robbery.

Alan Keating Keeps Peter Wang in Check — Again!

Peter Wang might have started Episode 11 with that audacious bluff against Vinny Lingham, but his attempts to push around the table’s resident action man, Alan Keating, hit a brick wall. This next hand was a masterclass in staying cool under pressure, and Keating played it perfectly.

The hand kicked off with Keating opening the action to $3,000 holding . It folded around to Wang, who was sitting pretty on a $4,000 straddle and clearly looking to leverage his position. Looking down at , Wang decided it was time to apply pressure, pumping the price to call up to $24,000. Keating, ever the entertainer, tossed in the call with a smirk that said, “Let’s dance.”

When the dealer spread the flop, Keating checked it over to Wang. Wang continued his aggressive line, firing out a substantial $40,000 bet. Keating, looking completely unfazed, made the check call.

The turn brought the . Check again from Keating. Wang didn’t slow down, launching another hefty bet, this time $90,000. If Wang was hoping to rattle Keating, it didn’t work. Keating quickly, almost nonchalantly, made the call again – smooth, collected, giving nothing away.

The river completed the board with the . Seeing no improvement and facing Keating’s unwavering stance, Wang finally eased off the accelerator. He checked.

Keating simply tabled his pocket sizes and it was good. Wang could only offer a resigned smile as Keating gathered the chunky $311,500 pot. Sometimes, just letting your opponent bluff themselves off does the trick.

Groundhog Day – Ace-Five Fails Wang Again!

But Wang’s tough run with Ace-Five wasn’t quite over. It felt like a poker glitch in the matrix! Just one hand after getting picked off by Keating holding Ace-Five, history repeated itself with the same starting hand for Wang. This time, however, it was Vinny Lingham dishing out the pain and getting a measure of revenge.

Action began with Lingham limping in for $2,000, holding . It folded around to Wang, sitting on a $2,000 straddle and looking to make something happen. Peeking down at – yes, that hand again – he raised it to $7,000. Lingham instantly called, setting the stage.

The flop rolled out . Wang connected with middle pair, offering a glimmer of hope, but Lingham’s sixes still held the lead. Wang took the initiative, betting $13,000. Lingham, unperturbed, smooth-called.

The turn delivered the . The board paired, but the dynamic didn’t change much – Lingham’s sixes were still best. Wang shifted gears and checked. Lingham, likely feeling good about his spot, checked it right back.

The river peeled off the , tripling the nine on board. Now Wang had fives full of nines, but Lingham had sneakily made a better full house – sixes full of nines.

Wang checked once more, trying to keep the pot under control. Lingham, likely sensing value, tossed out a $15,000 bet. Wang pondered, visibly pained, before eventually making the crying call.

Lingham confidently tabled his .

Wang could only manage a wry chuckle as he mucked his for the second time in short order, watching Lingham rake in the $72,500 pot.

No Chop This Time – Salomon Crushes Wang in $451K Showdown!

The swings for Wang continued, leading to another major collision, this time against Rick Salomon, who plays big and often wins bigger.

The fireworks ignited when Justin Gavri opened to $12,000 with . Peter Wang, seeing an opportunity with , put in a 3-bet to $35,000. Nik Airball folded. But trouble lurked on the $4,000 straddle where Salomon sat with . Salomon didn’t hesitate, cold 4-betting to a massive $200,000!

Gavri made a swift exit. Wang, holding the premium Ace-Queen suited, decided this was his spot and moved all-in. Salomon snap-called, creating a massive $451,000 pot. They agreed to run the board twice.

The first runout came . Salomon’s nines stayed clean and improved to two pair on the river, good enough to claim the first half.

Remembering the record $1.40 Million pot from Episode 10 that ended in a chop with Wang, Salomon grinned, “I’ve got the first one, I want both today.”

The deck obliged. The second board revealed . Salomon spiked a nine on the turn for a full house, nines full of fours, locking up the second half and the entire enormous pot.

Gavri Turns Up the Heat: Cowboys Force Salomon Fold in $655K Pot

While Wang was enduring a tough stretch, Justin Gavri continued his ascent, showing he knows exactly when to step on the gas. In this hand, he put Rick Salomon in a blender and forced a fold in a pot worth $655,000!

The hand got going when Vinny Lingham limped in for $4,000 with . Salomon decided to isolate, raising to $25,000 holding . Gavri, sitting on the $2,000 straddle, woke up with and made a powerful 3-bet to $85,000. Lingham ducked out, but Salomon flicked in the call,

A potentially action-inducing flop of appeared, giving Salomon top pair while Gavri was still ahead with his overpair. Salomon checked, and Gavri dropped a $100,000 bet without hesitation. Salomon snap-called, unwilling to let go just yet.

The turn card was the . Salomon checked again. This time, Gavri went for maximum pressure, unloading a massive $275,000 bet.

Salomon didn’t need long. He instantly sent his cards spinning towards the muck. Gavri flashed his with a smile. Salomon chuckled, admitting, “I needed that king” —referring to the Broadway straight he was chasing. One King away from the nuts. But it wasn’t meant to be.

Gavri raked in the huge $655,000 pot and shared a laugh, having just outplayed one of the game’s most aggressive players.

River Flush! Airball Stacks Salomon in $628K Cooler

The action didn’t stop there, as Nik Airball got tangled in a major pot, delivering a river card that changed everything against Rick Salomon.

It began with Alan Keating opening to $15,000 with . Peter Wang () and Nik Airball ( on the $2k straddle) both called. Rick Salomon ( on the $4k straddle) came along too, making it four players to the flop.

The flop came down . Keating hit top pair, Airball found middle pair with a King-high club flush draw, and Salomon paired his deuce. Action checked all around.

The turn landed the . This card dramatically improved both Airball (Kings and Sixes, plus flush draw) and Salomon (Kings and Deuces). Wang and Airball checked. Salomon bet $25,000. Keating called. Wang folded. Now Airball sprang the trap, check-raising to $100,000. Salomon smooth-called. Keating thought better of it and tank-folded.

Heads-up to the river… ! Boom. The flush arrived for Airball.

Airball wasted no time, shoving all-in for his remaining $171,000. Salomon snap-called with his two pair, only to see the bad news. Airball tabled his for the rivered flush.

Salomon could only watch as Airball scooped the enormous $627,500 pot with a signature grin.

Stack Sizes Update

1. Alan Keating – $1,509,500
2. Rick Salomon – $1,023,500
3. Justin Gavri – $789,500
4. Vinny Lingham – $689,000
5. Nik Airball – $627,000
6. Peter Wang – $496,000

Gavri Springs the Trap: Trip Nines Crack Wang’s Aces For $334K

Gavri wasn’t finished building his stack, later finding a perfect spot to turn calculation into cold cash against Peter Wang’s pocket aces.

The hand started simply with Gavri limping for $1,500 holding . Peter Wang raised it to $11,000 with the bullets, . Nik Airball called with , and Gavri completed the call.

The flop landed [d9] on a dangerous diamond-heavy board. Gavri hit middle pair. Wang still led with his aces. Gavri checked, Wang bet $15,000, Airball made a disciplined fold, and Gavri stuck around.

The turn was the potential action killer, or dream maker: . Trips for Gavri. He checked smoothly. Wang bet $45,000, unaware of the danger. Gavri just called, setting the trap perfectly.

The river was the , changing nothing.. Gavri checked a final time. Wang, likely still feeling good about his aces, bet $90,000. Gavri snap-called, tabled his for trip nines, and Wang could only watch as the pot slid across the felt—$334,000 worth of pain.

Wang Gets Paid: River Flush Earns Redemption vs Salomon ($368K)

Peter Wang finally found some redemption later in the session, catching a river flush against Rick Salomon and getting paid off handsomely.

Wang opened the action to $15,000 with . Vinny Lingham called with , and Rick Salomon defended his $3,000 straddle with .

The flop came . Salomon paired his three. Wang picked up the nut flush draw. After checks from Lingham and Salomon, Wang fired $35,000. Lingham ducked out, but Salomon called.

The turn was the , pairing the board. Salomon checked. Wang, holding the nut flush draw, decided to take the free card and checked behind.

The river delivered the . Wang made his flush. Salomon checked for a third time. Wang considered his options before sliding out a value bet of $135,000.

Salomon didn’t take long and made the call. With zero theatrics, Wang quietly turned over and announced, “Flush.”

Salomon gave a wry grin, “Flush is good,” as the $368,500 pot was pushed to Wang.

Rivalry Continues – Keating and Wang Chop Mind-Boggling $1.16M Pot!

The episode saved perhaps its most electric moment for late in the session – a jaw-dropping $1,161,500 clash between Alan Keating and Peter Wang that had everyone holding their breath.

It began with Rick Salomon raising to $10,000 with . Keating called with , and Peter Wang came along with .

The flop was a beauty: . Wang smashed it, hitting two pair (Queens and Fives). Keating had top pair (Queens). Salomon had a club flush draw. Wang checked. Salomon bet $15,000. Keating called. Wang then sprang into action with a check-raise to $75,000. Salomon called the raise, and after some thought, Keating decided to see the turn too.

The turn card fell . Wang, after pausing for effect, moved all-in for $452,000. Salomon quickly folded his draw plus pair. Keating, facing a massive shove, went deep into the tank. Minutes ticked by before he finally pushed his chips forward. “The rivalry continues,” Keating announced, as the pot swelled past the million-dollar point.

They agreed to run the river twice. But before the hands were turned over, Wang showed his cards discreetly to Nik Airball first. Keating noticed and asked Airball, “Do I have a chance?” Airball confirmed, “He has two pair.” Keating grinned, “I have a chance. I have a queen.”

Wang tabled , confirming Airball’s read. Keating nodded and smirked, “Oh, God. I might scoop this, though,” before cheekily requesting the dealer: “Yeah, just go ahead and throw the seven or eight out.”

Prophetically, the first river was the ! This counterfeited Wang’s two pair, giving Keating Queens and Eights with a Ten kicker, shipping him the first half of the enormous pot.

“The rivalry continues,” Keating repeated as anticipation built for the second river.

The second river card was the . No help for Keating this time. Wang threw his hands up with a laugh of relief as the tension finally broke. His Queens and Fives played, earning him the second half. The duo chopped the $1.16 Million pot right down the middle.

Stack Sizes at the End of the Episode

1. Alan Keating – $1,553,500
2. Justin Gavri – $1,208,500
3. Rick Salomon – $757,000
4. Nik Airball – $596,000
5. Vinny Lingham – $564,000
6. Peter Wang – $465,000

While Episode 11 may not have hit the same dizzying peak as the record-setting Episode 10, it certainly delivered its own brand of high-stakes drama and shifting fortunes.

Justin Gavri was undoubtedly the star of the show, consistently finding himself in big pots and coming out on top, comfortably crossing the million-dollar mark in winnings for the session. He now sits firmly behind Alan Keating on the season leaderboard, who maintains his lead largely thanks to that $1.40 Million pot from the previous episode.

Peter Wang, meanwhile, experienced the full spectrum of high-stakes poker variance. He endured several painful losses but managed to claw back a significant portion thanks to the massive chopped pot with Keating, ending a turbulent session bruised but not broken.

And the high-stakes drama is far from over. Episode 12 arrives on April 14, bringing a fresh face to the felt: Sam Kiki, AKA “Senior Tilt”—founder of MonkeyTilt. He joins Keating, Gavri, Airball, Wang, and Salomon. With new blood in the water alongside these fearless personalities, expect more fireworks and massive pots.

Don’t miss a single hand. Catch up on Episode 11 and the entire season – streaming exclusively on PokerGO.

Content and Images Courtesy: PokerGO