Lebanon’s Walid Bou Habib defeated a field of 193 entries to claim the trophy in the $3,300 OPE Classic Cup
Habib lifted his total career earnings above $2.3 million, with each of his last ten recorded cashes coming right here at Merit.
“It is one amongst the major results which I have made,” Habib told PokerNews moments after the win. “To get the trophy, it’s always nice because I’m trying to make a nice collection of trophies. I have already three PokerStars trophies, and also four or five from Merit so it will be my, maybe, tenth trophy.”
The tournament needed an extra day to complete, as players battled for a piece of the massive $532,680 prize pool.
Antoine Hasbani had a raise of 5,000 in front of him from the button before Robert Burlacu moved all in for 61,000 in the big blind. Hasbani called to put Burlacu at risk.
Robert Burlacu: A♣K♦
Antoine Hasbani: 5♣5♠
The Q♦J♠8♦ flop gave Burlacu a straight draw to go with his overcards, but he failed to improve on the 6♣ turn. The river, though, was the A♦ and Burlacu hit top pair to win the pot and double up.
Jad Dandachi bet 3,500 from the button on a flop of Q♥K♦5♥ and Boris Tabiyev called in the small blind, as did Maksim Skripkin in the cutoff.
The turn was the Q♣ and Dandachi bet another 5,000. Tabiyev then raised to 25,000, Skripkin moved all in, and Dandachi folded. Tabiyev, though, snap-called for 87,000.
Skripkin had Q♦J♠ for trips, but Tabiyev showed 5♠5♦ for a full house. The river was the 9♦ and Tabiyev doubled up.
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Golan Lakkhosravi and an opponent were heads-up on a board of 7♠6♠7♣Q♠ when Lakkhosravi bet 20,000 from the small blind. His opponent called on the button.
The river was the J♦ and Lakkhosravi bet another 26,000. The button quickly called and Lakkhosravi turned over A♠3♠ for a flush. His opponent mucked and Lakkhosravi took down the big pot.