Crash Landing On the River


McDonald made the call after pausing for a moment. "Now, I just don't understand that," commented Hale on McDonald's smooth call preflop. Meierotto then folded.
The flop came down



"I'm buying dinner either way," said Hale. "Dinner with the wine."
McDonald was in the tank for about two minutes while Hale walked away from the table to use his phone after asking one of the floor members if he could do so. While he was away from the table, McDonald looking at his wife on the rail and said, "We're winners either way, right?" She smiled just as McDonald said, "I call!"
Showdown:
Hale:


McDonald:


Tom Sexton announced the hands as Hale came quickly back to the table. The dealer then burned and turned -- the

"I got a flush draw," joked Hale.
The dealer then slowly burned for the final time and dealt the river... the

"You're buying dinner now," said Hale.
McDonald was all in for 248,000 total, leaving Hale with a little over 120,000 chips. After a few moments went by, Hale asked McDonald what he thought he was up against. "I just didn't think you were that strong," responded McDonald.