This thrilling hand took place during the 2024 WSOP-C at the Commerce Casino and Hotel in Los Angeles on May 20, during the $600 Housewarming Event, which drew a large field of 1,483 runners. The pivotal moment came during the heads-up battle between Christina “baby shark” Gollins and Weiqiang Zhao.
The Situation
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Christina Gollins was sitting with 6.9 million chips (22 big blinds).
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Weiqiang Zhao had a commanding stack of 29 million chips (97 big blinds).
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The blinds were at 150,000/300,000 with a 300,000 big blind ante.
At this stage, Gollins had already made an incredible fold with AK when the action was three-handed. This fold led to a dramatic moment where her two opponents were all-in with KK versus QQ. A queen dropped on the flop, and John Solis was eliminated in third place, earning $49,839.
Gollins’ Insight
In the video above, Gollins walks through the hand moment by moment, offering exclusive insight into the thought process of an up-and-coming tournament professional. Her commentary reveals the mindset of a grinder who is already making a name for herself at the highest levels.
Who is Christina Gollins?
Christina Gollins, known as “baby shark”, first gained recognition in the poker world during the 2022 WSOP $1,000 NLH Ladies Event. Her aggressive style, paired with some cheeky snark, helped her make a deep run, eventually finishing third for $73,604—the second-largest cash of her career at the time.
Earlier in the same year, Gollins had already proven her skills with a deep finish at the 2022 Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza, where she earned $83,847 for a fourth-place finish. Over the next two years, Gollins continued to find success, with notable deep runs in several major events.
Some of her achievements include:
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Winning the $360 NLH Ladies 2024 Nevada State Ladies Poker Championship.
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Securing her first WSOP Circuit ring at a $400 WSOP NLH event in 2021 at The Bicycle Casino.
The Rise of ‘Baby Shark’
Gollins is known for being both humble and outspoken, a combination that has served her well in her meteoric rise on the poker scene. After leaving her corporate America job for the poker world, her dream of becoming a professional player is slowly but surely coming true.
Her peers and fans are starting to see her as a rising star in the poker world, and Gollins expects no less from herself. She’s determined to continue improving and making deep runs, with more success certainly in her future.
Key Takeaways from Gollins’ Journey:
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Aggressive style: Gollins’ playing style is aggressive, which allows her to put pressure on opponents and win big pots, but she knows when to exercise caution (like her AK fold in the three-handed situation).
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Confidence and humility: Despite her success, Gollins remains grounded, focusing on honing her skills and making deep runs rather than seeking fame.
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Success through experience: Gollins’ rise is marked by consistent results and improvement, demonstrating the value of dedication and learning from each experience.
Christina “baby shark” Gollins is certainly one to watch in the coming years as she continues her journey to the top of the poker world.
