No one will ever forget Chris Moneymaker's impossible win at the 2003 World Series of Poker. His victory gave hope to every amateur Texas Holdem player, and helped the game explode in ways no one would have imagined. And, just as memorable as his victory is the memory of the hand that was called "the bluff of the century." In head-to-head play against Sam Farha, Moneymaker went all-in with nothing and got Sam to lay down the best hand along with several hundred thousand dollars in chips. Whether or not Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, the champion of the 2004 World Series of Poker, will become a legend is yet to be seen. (The WSOP will begin airing on July 6th on ESPN.) However, one thing that is certain is that there will be no shortage of comments and opinions surrounding this year's final hand.

The final hand of the 2004 WSOP began as Greg Raymer found 8 of diamonds and 8 of spades in his hole cards, and David Williams looked down to see A of hearts and 4 of clubs. Although A-4 would be considered a weak hand in a 10-player game, the Ace becomes a powerful weapon in a heads-up match. Action began as David Williams raised to $300,000 and Greg Raymer called with his pocket 8s. On the flop fell 5 of clubs, 4 of diamonds, and 2 of diamonds. Raymer checked and Williams bet $500,000 with second high pair on the board and an inside-straight draw needing a 3 to complete it. Raymer check-raised to $1.6 million and Williams called. The turn card was the 2 of hearts and Raymer made a bet of $2.5 million and Williams once again called. The river card was the 2 of clubs making the board 5-4-2-2-2. Raymer went all-in and was immediately called by Williams.

Raymer won the hand and the 2004 WSOP with a full house (2s over 8s) beating Williams' full house (2s over 4s). On the surface it looks like Williams had a powerful hand with a full house, but in reality he could only beat Raymer if he was holding a 4 with a lower kicker, pocket threes, or if he was flat out bluffing. This brings us back to Chris Moneymaker's "bluff of the century." It was a very similar situation where Chris made a large bet on the turn and went all-in on the river. Yet, when Chris went all-in, Farha took his time and thought about the decision before folding what would have been the best hand. Phil Hellmuth once said that you have to be willing to lay down the best hand. That's what Farha did and he did so because he knew there were just too many possibilities that could beat him. It's so easy to scream "call him!!!" at the TV when you can see what the other player is holding. But, when the board is showing 3 suited cards and you are faced with a decision for all your chips, it's not that easy. After that lay down, Farha went on to eventually lose with a top pair all-in bet, but I think he would make the same lay down today if facing a similar situation.

Williams, like so many others, may have watched the 2003 WSOP one too many times and got caught up in the thought that Raymer was bluffing. In the end, it may have cost him the title, but he still walked away $3.5 million richer. We may all be able to play Monday morning quarterback and second guess the bets that were made, but at the end of the day, Williams was playing Texas Holdem for 5 straight days in the greatest tournament in the world while we were left to read the highlights on the web. Congratulations to Raymer, Williams, and the rest of the 225 money winners.