Tom Dwan's legendary bluff secures poker's most infamous high-stakes hand

A weak pair, a $104K bet, and two folded hands later—this bluff redefined poker audacity. How Dwan outsmarted a WSOP winner with sheer nerve.

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2026 February 5 . 4:50 PM

1 min read

The image shows a drawing of a person's hand holding four aces of spades, with text at the bottom.... — The image shows a drawing of a person's hand holding four aces of spades, with text at the bottom. The hand is drawn in detail, with the fingers slightly curled and the thumb and index finger extended. The cards are arranged in a fan-like pattern, with each card slightly overlapping the one below it. The text is written in a bold font and is likely a description of the cards.

Tom Dwan's legendary bluff secures poker's most infamous high-stakes hand

Tom Dwan has long been known for his bold poker plays, and one of his most famous hands came against Peter Eastgate and Barry Greenstein. The hand involved a daring bluff that forced both opponents to fold, despite Dwan holding a weaker hand. This moment remains one of the most talked-about in televised poker history.

The hand began with Dwan raising pre-flop with Q♣10♣. The flop came 10♥2♣2♠, giving him middle pair. Both Eastgate and Greenstein called his bet, setting up a large pot.

On the 7♦ turn, Dwan pushed all-in with a bet of $104,200 into a $133,500 pot. Despite holding only a weak pair, he later admitted he was 90% sure Eastgate had the best hand. His confidence came from recent wins against Eastgate and a strong read on his opponent's cautious style.

Eastgate, who had won the 2008 WSOP Main Event for $6.3 million, folded with 4♥2♦—a better two-pair. Greenstein, holding A♥A♠, also laid down his overpair. Dwan's bluff succeeded, securing the largest televised cash game pot in poker history.

Dwan later called the flop raise a 'weird play' but believed the turn bluff was profitable. His aggressive approach in high-stakes games has cemented his reputation as one of poker's most fearless players.

The hand remains a defining moment in Dwan's career, showcasing his ability to outmanoeuvre even the strongest opponents. Eastgate, who retired from poker in 2010, never returned to high-level play, while Dwan's legacy as a high-stakes specialist continues. The bluff stands as a prime example of psychological skill in poker.