Not to Be Underestimated

One could be forgiven for underestimating Pierre Neuville. The fuzzy sweaters and the not-very-fashionable glasses he often wears speak much more of a semi-retired businessman with a golf habit than a poker grinder. And indeed, Neuville's prior business career was a very successful one, moving from Vice Chairman of a major international toy company to a consultant for several top celebrities and athletes.

But Neuville, from Belgium, has been playing poker for more than 50 years, and he certainly knows his way around the felt. In the last four years, he's made more than $1,000,000 on the live circuit, including a final table at EPT San Remo and a runner-up finish at EPT Vilamoura in the same year. Neuville has yet to taste a tournament victory, but he's doing what he can to change that this week in Cannes.

We picked up the last pot as Neuville opened to 3,000 under the gun, and Liv Boeree flatted in position. In the big blind, David Bach squeezed in a reraise to 11,700 total. Neuville called, Boeree folded, and it was heads up to the flop.

It came {Q-Hearts} {A-Diamonds} {4-Hearts} , and it went check-check to the {3-Spades} turn. On a delayed continuation bet, Bach fired out with 7,500 more chips, and Neuville studied him carefully. The Belgian then raised to 17,000, and Bach mumbled to himself for a few moments before sending his cards into the muck.