[user66118]
The day that Lebanese poker players have been longing for has finally arrived. Today is the day that we will crown the National Champion of poker, awarding the lucky man or woman the largest payday this region has ever seen, $606,000 in crisp cash.
Our field of 207 has been cut down to just 28, and by early morning light we should have one player holding all of the chips. The room is abuzz with power saws, welders, carpet layers, and light technicians as the staff is hurriedly preparing the room for the conclusion of the event. There is a final table arena being built in the center of the stage, anxiously awaiting our final nine players later in the day.
The action gets underway in a little more than 30 minutes, at 4:00pm local time. We'll be back then with all of the bets, raises, and folds live from the Casino du Liban.
[user80015]
With more than an expected return in the number of players for day three, the Tournament Director's have cut out the expected Round 21 level.
Instead of moving to a 5,000-10,000-1,000 ante level we will skip that and push straight to a 6,000-12,000-1,000 ante level instead.
[user66118]
Yury Kerzhapkin eliminated in 28th place
Under the gun, Yury Kerzhapkin moved all in for 104,000. Right next door, Bassam Srour instantly called, and the table quickly folded all the way around. When the chips were counted down, it was Srour with the slightly covering stack, putting Kerzhapkin's tournament life in question.
Showdown
Kerzhapkin:
Srour:
The board brought two more spades but was ultimately useless as it ran out . Srour's overpair holds to take down the pot, sending Yury Kerzhapkin to the rail in 28th place. We are now sitting with three even nine-handed tables.
[user80015]
Walid Bou Habib eliminated in 27th place
With the action folding round to Walid Bou Habib on the button, he pushed his last 80,000 into the middle and was quickly called by Chadi Ojeil in the small blind.
Bou Habib:
Ojeil:
The flop fell to keep Ojeil in the lead, but when the fell on the turn Boa Habib looked like a double was on the cards.
To the cheers of the rail, the peeled on the river to see Ojeil make a straight to send Boa Habib to the rail, and his stack soaring to 475,000 in chips.
[user66118]
Sherif Zacca opened the pot with a raise to 25,000 from middle position, and only Patrick Chucri came along from the button. Heads up then, the flop brought . Both players checked, and the turn card revealed the . Zacca fired out now with a delayed continuation bet of 22,000, and Chucri quickly called.
The river card was the , and Zacca again passed. The dealer thought Chucri checked behind, but he stopped her and announced a bet of 30,000. After some quick deliberation, Zacca made the call. Chucri sat nodding his head for several seconds before tapping the felt in that 'good call' gesture. He turned over , and Zacca tabled the winning .
After that exchange, Chucri has slipped back to 80,000 while Zacca is moving in the right direction today. He's up to 275,000 here in the early going.
[user66118]
Nicolas Zakhem opened with a raise to 28,000, and when it came around to Sassine Gazaleh, he quickly announced an all in for 148,000. The table passed back to Zakhem, and he cut the calling chips out of his stack, considering his decision. "Do I need to go with you on a race?" he asked himself. Someone called the clock on Zakhem rather quickly, and after a few seconds, he made the call to put Gazaleh at risk.
Gazaleh slapped his onto the felt, and Zakhem could only show . He would find no help from the dealer either as the board ran . Gazaleh's two jacks earn him a crucial double up, and he's crawled his way over 300,000, putting him just a few thousand chips ahead of Zakhem.
![[user66118]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
. Srour's overpair holds to take down the pot, sending Yury Kerzhapkin to the rail in 28th place. We are now sitting with three even nine-handed tables.
and was called by Sherif Zacca and his 
.
to see Raffoul double through to 110,000 as Zacca slips to 135,000 in chips.
to keep Ojeil in the lead, but when the 
peeled on the river to see Ojeil make a straight to send Boa Habib to the rail, and his stack soaring to 475,000 in chips.
. Gazaleh's two jacks earn him a crucial double up, and he's crawled his way over 300,000, putting him just a few thousand chips ahead of Zakhem.