He Gave Him the Ol' Nine of Hearts

When watching hockey or hockey highlights, you may once in a while hear a broadcaster refer to a player being burned by a deke as being "given the old nine of hearts".

I couldn't help but think of this saying when I binked a nut flush on the river at 600NL a couple days back in a hand that has got to be one of my top 20 largest pots won. The hand kind of plays itself as both players are fish with the deeper one being a legit whale. It really sucks when the shorter one jams the turn, but I still think given the prices offered there isn't a better way to play the hand, though I suppose you could make a case for raising the flop and getting it in.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $6.00 BB (9 handed)
CO ($240)
Button ($600)
SB ($386.08)
BB ($609)
UTG ($684.40)
UTG+1 ($600)
MP1 ($537.82)
Hero (MP2) ($723.20)
MP3 ($411.55)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with Q♥, A♥
2 folds, MP1 bets $24, Hero calls $24, 3 folds, SB calls $21, BB calls $18

Flop: ($96) 5♥, 6♣, 10♥ (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 bets $84, Hero calls $84, SB calls $84, 1 fold

Turn: ($348) 7♣ (3 players)
SB checks, MP1 bets $84, Hero calls $84, SB raises to $278.08 (All-In), MP1 calls $194.08, Hero calls $194.08

River: ($1182.24) 9♥ (3 players, 1 all-in)
MP1 bets $151.74 (All-In), Hero calls $151.74

Total pot: $1485.72 | Rake: $2.80

Results:
SB had 9♦, 8♠ (straight, ten high).
MP1 had 8♣, 8♥ (straight, ten high).
Hero had Q♥, A♥ (flush, Ace high).
Outcome: Hero won $1482.92


Anyway, after googling for information it turns out the phrase is derived from a card game called "Euchre" in which you are basically screwed if you are dealt the 9 of hearts when spades are trump (which I believe is half the time). Unsurprisingly I was quite thrilled when I was given the nine of hearts, snapping the river so fast one of the regs at the table took notice and MSNed me about my call speed.