Mariano Grandoli took center stage in PokerOrg's Hand of the Week column last week and, once again, he's back in the spotlight.
During the High Stakes Friday game on Hustler Casino Live, Grandoli found himself in need of a button during a round of the Stand Up Game.
If you're unfamiliar with the rules of the Stand Up Game or you've forgotten, here's a quick refresh. When players agree to a round of the Stand Up Game, a set number of buttons is introduced to the table. If you win a hand, you win a button. With the button, you free yourself from whatever financial penalty falls to the player (or players) who fails to win a button.
In this instance, Grandoli was one of two players at the table without a button and there was only one left to claim. In a high-pressure moment like this, it helps to pick up a strong hand.
And it helps even more if the other guy who needs a button has a strong hand too.
Sometimes it's that easy
It was Denis the Menace who kicked off the action with a raise to $2,000 with 
. Lambo Tyler – in need of a button – called behind on the button with 
before Grandoli looked down at 
in the straddle and three-bet to $15,000. Denis fled the scene, but Tyler wasn't so willing to wave the white flag just yet and made the call.
On the 
flop, Grandoli continued for $21,000 and Tyler called once more to bring in the 
turn. With $74,500 in the middle, Grandoli kept his foot on the gas with a $50,000 bet and Tyler went deep into the tank as he considered the spot. After roughly two full minutes of thought, Tyler matched the bet again and the 
river completed the board.
While he only had one pair, Grandoli seemed to know exactly where he was in the hand and fired a third barrel on the river for $83,000.
"I don't know how I got myself in this spot," Tyler said with a sigh.
And then he quickly called – only to see the bad news as Grandoli tabled his aces to claim the $340,500 pot.
