'I Think It Must Be Christmas'

Lebanon's Albert Daher, who is looking to cross the $1 million mark in career tournament earnings here in Monaco with $983,813 to date, is off to a hot start in that effort, and into the early chip lead, thanks to two massive hands early.

Daher turned a jack-high flush against a preflop five bettor who was willing to get it in with pocket fives. After collecting his full stack, Daher kept his foot on the gas, raising it up to 400 preflop from early position, and calling when a player behind made it 825.

Daher checked the flop, but called when his opponent continued for 1,700. The turn came the and Daher led out for 3,900. His opponent jammed in for 42,200 and after asking why he bet so much, Daher called with the two pair.

His opponent had the and was drawing dead. The river was too little too late and as he hit the rail, Daher moved into chip lead position here in Level 2.

"I think it must be Christmas," said Daher, whose biggest career score was €189,000 earned in a €10,000 High Roller at EPT Deauville in Season 10. "All these gifts."