{"id":4913,"date":"2026-04-06T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T06:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/?p=4913"},"modified":"2026-04-06T11:15:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T03:15:44","slug":"best-high-stakes-poker-fold-doug-polk-andrew-robl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/best-high-stakes-poker-fold-doug-polk-andrew-robl\/","title":{"rendered":"Best High Stakes Poker Fold Debate: Doug Polk vs. Andrew Robl \u2013 Who is the greatest folder?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4913\" class=\"elementor elementor-4913\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c77cee7 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c77cee7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2b5bb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b2b5bb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"max-width: 860px; margin: 0 auto; line-height: 1.9; font-size: 18px; color: #1f2937;\"><figure id=\"attachment_4915\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4915\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4915\" src=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2cd95ae1ad-300x199.webp\" alt=\"Best High Stakes Poker Fold comparison between Doug Polk and Andrew Robl on PokerGO\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2cd95ae1ad-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/hunter.poker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2cd95ae1ad-1024x680.webp 1024w, https:\/\/hunter.poker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2cd95ae1ad-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/hunter.poker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2cd95ae1ad-18x12.webp 18w, https:\/\/hunter.poker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2cd95ae1ad.webp 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4915\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #333300;\"><em>The iconic fold between Doug Polk and Andrew Robl has become a focal point of discussion regarding the best fold in High Stakes Poker history.<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><p><strong>Best High Stakes Poker Fold<\/strong> The question of whether it should be attributed to Doug Polk or Andrew Robl has once again become a hot topic in the poker world after this week&#039;s High Stakes Poker broadcast. Andrew Robl&#039;s amazing fold at Friday&#039;s live cash game is considered by many to be one of the best live cash game folds in history, but others believe that Doug Polk&#039;s classic laydown from a few years ago is still more representative.<\/p><p>Both hands occurred on PokerGO&#039;s &quot;High Stakes Poker,&quot; and both protagonists chose to fold their second-best hand when it seemed almost impossible to do so. The common thread was that both faced immense pressure, engaged in lengthy deliberation, and ultimately made decisions that shocked the entire audience but proved to be absolutely correct.<\/p><h4><strong>Hellmuth&#039;s massive raise forced Doug Polk to fold in a classic move.<\/strong><\/h4><p>Let&#039;s go back to that classic hand from 2021. The blinds were $200\/$400, with a $400 big blind ante. Phil Hellmuth raised to $1,100 with Q\u266010\u2665. James Bord on the button called with 2\u26652\u2663, while Doug Polk in the big blind called with 10\u26667\u2663.<\/p><p>The flop came J\u26609\u26608\u2665, giving Doug Polk a straight, but Hellmuth had a top-tier straight. When it was James Bord&#039;s turn to act, he bet $2,000 to test the waters, and Polk immediately check-raised to $7,000, indicating a very strong hand.<\/p><p>What truly froze the atmosphere at the table was Hellmuth&#039;s next move. Instead of raising to a normal size, he went all-in with $97,200. For most players, holding the second-best straight, this situation would be an instant call. But Polk went into deep thought, even suggesting he might have to make a &quot;very, very big fold.&quot;<\/p><p>Hellmuth tried to speak during the game, implying that he might just be setting a hand, but Polk didn&#039;t entirely believe him. As he reasoned and observed the betting logic, he gradually realized that he might have landed the only hand he could lose.<\/p><p>Amidst incredulous stares, Doug Polk actually folded his second-best straight. This hand was later hailed as one of the most spectacular laydowns in High Stakes Poker history, and it earned Polk the Best Hand award at the 2021 Global Poker Awards.<\/p><h4><strong>Andrew Robl pulls off another godlike fold, prompting Nick Schulman to haile it as the best ever.<\/strong><\/h4><p>Fast forward five years, and the poker world witnessed another event known as... <strong>Best High Stakes Poker Fold<\/strong> His masterpiece. This time, the protagonist is Andrew Robl, a professional player who has long been regarded as one of the world&#039;s top high-stakes cash game players.<\/p><p>In this $500\/$1,000 No-Limit Texas Hold&#039;em hand, Justin Gavri initially raised to $5,000 from early position with K\u26659\u2665 against a $2,000 straddle. Sam \u201cSenor Tilt\u201d Kiki in the small blind called with Q\u2663J\u2660, while Robl in the big blind called with Q\u26657\u2665.<\/p><p>The flop came 10\u26632\u2665A\u2665, indicating potential for all three players. After checking to Gavri, he bet $8,000, Kiki called, and Robl, with a flush draw, check-raised to $35,000, forcing Kiki to fold and leaving him heads-up against Gavri.<\/p><p>The turn 9\u2660 gave Gavri a pair, and both players checked. The river 6\u2665 completed both players&#039; flushes, but Robl held the second-largest flush. Known for his judgment at high-stakes cash games, Robl overbet 1TP 4T 125,000, leaving him with 1TP 4T 192,000. Gavri went all-in, representing an extremely strong range.<\/p><p>The situation was remarkably similar to Polk&#039;s hand: holding the second-best hand, facing a huge raise, and theoretically appearing to be a must-call. However, Robl didn&#039;t make a decision immediately, but instead went into deep thought for five minutes.<\/p><p>Even Nick Schulman commented during the broadcast that if Robl were to fold this hand, it would be one of the greatest televised cash game folds he&#039;d ever seen. Brent Hanks then famously asked, &quot;If you fold here, how will you sleep at night?&quot;<\/p><p>Ultimately, Robl found the answer that almost no one else could: his opponent just happened to have the only hand that could beat him. So he actually folded his second-best flush, and it turned out he was completely right.<\/p><h4><strong>Doug Polk vs. Andrew Robl: Who has the greater fold?<\/strong><\/h4><p>Five years apart, with different settings, opponents, and hand types, these two hands were both so impactful that they deserve a place in the classic history of &quot;High Stakes Poker.&quot; Doug Polk folded the second-best straight against Poker Hall of Famer Phil Hellmuth; Andrew Robl folded the second-best flush against recreational player Justin Gavri.<\/p><p>From the perspective of the opponent&#039;s level and historical significance, Polk&#039;s hand is indeed more legendary; however, considering the hand size, the pressure of the game, and simply the ability to read the cards, Robl&#039;s fold this time is also worthy of being called the best in history. The biggest commonality between the two hands is that neither was achieved solely through courage, but rather based on extremely high-level card reasoning, betting logic, and judgment of human nature.<\/p><p><strong>Best High Stakes Poker Fold<\/strong> Whether the blame belongs to Doug Polk or Andrew Robl is a matter of opinion. But what is certain is that both hands have become classic folding cases in high-stakes cash game history, worthy of repeated study.<\/p><h3>Want to change Texas Holdem from \"can understand\" to \"can win\"?<\/h3><p style=\"color: #333300;\">The following hand situations are the key moments when most players most often lose money:<\/p><h4>A must-read for beginners<\/h4><p style=\"color: #333300;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/aq-hand-review-why-aq-always-loses\/\">[Common Beginner Mistakes] Why do I always lose with AQ? A complete hand replay analysis<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/top-pair-poker-strategy-three-streets\/\">[Frequency Error] Should the top move have been executed with a three-street sweep? Real-world analysis.<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/poker-draw-strategy-flop-bet-or-call\/\">[Common Dilemma] Should I attack or call if I have a draw on the flop? Strategy Breakdown<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/river-decision-poker-beginner-mistakes\/\">[Key Mistake] Why do beginners always lose big pots on the river? Analysis of Reasons<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/pocket-pair-strategy-jj-tt-analysis\/\">[Basic Concepts] How strong are middle pairs (JJ \/ TT)? Hand Analysis<\/a><\/p><h4>Practical decision making<\/h4><p style=\"color: #333300;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/poker-fold-strategy-when-to-fold-raise\/\">[Key Decision-Making] When to Fold When Faced with a Raise? Retrospective Analysis<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/top-pair-poker-strategy-why-you-lose\/\">[Frequently Asked Questions] Why do I lose even after hitting a pair? Hand review and analysis<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/poker-mindset-strategy-close-to-winning\/\">[Cognitive Error] Why do you always fall just short of winning? Decision Breakdown<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/a-high-board-poker-strategy\/\">[Hand Interpretation] How to play a high Ace hand? Practical strategy analysis<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/small-pocket-pair-strategy\/\">[Pot Control] How to use small pairs? A post-game tutorial.<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/suited-broadway-poker-strategy-kq-kj\/\">[Pre-flop Selection] How to play hands like KQ\/KJ? Strategy Analysis<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/slow-play-poker-strategy-mistakes\/\">[Advanced Mistakes] When should you not play slowly? Hand analysis<\/a><\/p><h4>Key Insights<\/h4><p style=\"color: #333300;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/wet-board-poker-strategy\/\">[Card Interpretation] What are &quot;dangerous cards&quot;? Retrospective Analysis<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/poker-position-strategy\/\">[Core Concept] Why is location so important? Strategy Analysis<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.poker\/en\/poker-strategy\/\">[Advanced Techniques] What is &quot;Controlled Pot&quot;? Practical Analysis<\/a><\/p><p style=\"color: #333300;\"><em>Hunter Poker offers systematic Texas Hold&#039;em instruction, hand analysis, and strategy analysis, from basic rules to advanced decision-making, helping players progress from &quot;just looking at their hands&quot; to &quot;understanding ranges and decision-making logic,&quot; enabling them to make long-term profitable choices in every hand.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andrew Robl&#039;s stunning fold in the latest episode of High Stakes Poker has reignited the poker community&#039;s debate about the &quot;best high-stakes fold of all time.&quot; This article compares two classic second-best folds by Robl and Doug Polk, analyzing which one is more impressive.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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