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A Venetian Poker Live cash-game broadcast produced a rare runner-runner royal flush after Howard called off against Ironman in a $25/$50 no-limit hold’em hand of “Joe’s Game.” The 10♥ river completed Howard’s A♥K♥ into the best possible five-card hand and delivered him a $9,500 pot.

Howard had raised to $400 on the button after three limpers. Dee Arrr, Ironman and Chuck Chuck called, creating a $1,700 pot. According to Card Player’s account of the broadcast, the callers held 10♠9♣, A♠Q♣ and 2♠2♥, respectively.

The Q♥9♦5♦ flop gave Ironman top pair with top kicker, while Dee Arrr had second pair and Chuck Chuck an underpair. Howard bet $1,350 from a $3,900 stack, then called when Ironman moved all-in for $13,200. Dee Arrr and Chuck Chuck both folded, leaving Howard’s A♥K♥ behind against Ironman’s A♠Q♣.

After dead cards were factored in, Howard had a 21.5% chance to win before the turn. The J♥ increased that chance to 32.4%, giving him winning outs that included any king, heart or ten. The 10♥ then completed the royal flush, with the two required late cards making it a runner-runner result.

A runner-runner, also called a backdoor draw, needs specific cards on both the turn and river after the flop. In this case, the turn and river supplied the final two hearts Howard needed. Royal flushes are “ten-to-ace straights in one suit”:https://upswingpoker.com/odds-of-royal-flush/; the odds against making one in Texas Hold’em are 30,939-to-1.

Commentator Remko Rinkema called the hand “one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen on stream,” adding that Howard remained stone-faced after the river. Howard eventually finished the session $6,500 ahead, while Ironman ended down $4,400. The broadcast continued for several hours after the hand.

Venetian Poker Live’s next stream is set for Halloween, with $25/$50 no-limit hold’em beginning at 2 p.m. local time.