$10,000 Championship Main Event Day 1 | 2009 Lebanese Poker Championship

07-23-2009 17:42 UTC+3

Kamar Clipped By Tarabay

[user80015]

In a five-way limped pot, Jack Tarabay fired out a bet of 500 on a board reading {K-Clubs}

.

One fold later we found Fadi Kamar making it 1,000 to go. Both blinds passed, and with the action back on Tarabay he made it 3,000 to go.

Kamar and Tarabay then exchanged words for over two minutes before Kamar seemingly had gathered enough information and open-mucked his {K-Diamonds}

.

The table looked a little shocked, but when Tarabay tabled his {K-Spades}

for a flopped two-pair Kamar decision was rewarded with a few nods and further words from his fellow tablemates.

With that pot Tarabay chipped back to over 20,000 while Kamar sits with a very impressive 53,800 in chips.

Tags: Fadi Kamar

07-23-2009 17:37 UTC+3

Nine and Ten

[user66118]

Thanks to the tournament exceeding its 200-player capacity, a few of the tables have been running ten-handed. Four players have been eliminated already though, and the staff promises to get all tables playing with nine as soon as possible.

07-23-2009 17:28 UTC+3

Fares Falls

[user80015]

After losing nearly all his chips in the blind battle when his Kings ran into Aces, Hassan Fares has now fallen to the rail.

With the blinds passing him several times, Fares was eventually forced all in and was unable to stay alive.

One down and only 205 more eliminations needed to see the first Lebanese Poker Champion crowned!

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

07-23-2009 17:18 UTC+3

10 More Minutes

[user80015]

The tournament director has just announced that there is ten minutes left in the level for late entrants.

With 205 players already taking part, and a prizepool of over US$1,900,000, there is definitely a chance for a few more people to take the opportunity to claim their piece of poker immortality!

07-23-2009 17:15 UTC+3

Ghazaleh Trips Up On The Ladies

[user80015]

With a raise to 250 and two calls before him, Sassine Ghazaleh bumped the action to 1,250 total.

The blinds mucked, and all three remaining players made the call to see the flop of {A-Diamonds}

drop.

The original raiser fired a bet of 1,000 at the pot, and was met with one fold and one call before Ghazaleh made it 4,000 to go.

He managed one quick fold until his last remaining opponent mulled over the decision for several minutes before folding the {A-Spades}

face up.

"I think you flopped trips" commented one opponent, and as Ghazaleh raked in the pot he tabled his {Q-Clubs}

to prove to the table that they were indeed correct.

07-23-2009 17:05 UTC+3

Hachem Arrives

[user80015]

It was a wild night last night at the Launch Party, and it was no surprise that many players, family and media were a little on the tired side today.

One of these include 2005 WSOP Champion Joe Hachem who has just arrived to take his seat in the tournament.

With sleeping-in to blame, Hachem is now here and ready to take on the best that Lebanese poker can offer!

07-23-2009 16:59 UTC+3

Sawaya Sings Loudly

[user80015]

Catching the action with the board reading {J-Spades}

Jad Sawaya checked to Kamal Turk to see him fire 3,000 at an already sizeable pot.

Sawaya pushed all in for his remaining 17,500 and stood high in his chair.

"I'm all in, I'm all in" screamed Sawaya.

The surrounding tables stopped and leaned towards the table to see if this would be the first elimination of the tournament.

Eventually however Turk layed his hand down to see Sawaya quickly turn over his cards and slam down his {Q-Spades}

for the nut-flush and the pot.

07-23-2009 16:52 UTC+3

Nenad Medic Arrives

[user80015]

One player that we weren't expecting to take to the felt today was Nenad Medic.

Medic is in town with his partner, and after some initial money transfer issues he has taken his seat in the tournament.

With the 2008 bracelet winner now taking to the felt in the Lebanese Poker Championships, the field is starting to swell with poker talent.

07-23-2009 16:49 UTC+3

Homsi Doubles In Blind Battle

[user80015]

Even with a deep structure in place, we have found a few players all in; but without receiving a call.

However on table three, the crowds gathered and the table rose to their feet as we found Adham Homsi all in for his tournament life.

In a battle of the blinds between Hassan Fares, it was Homsi's {A-?}

leading Fares' {K-?}

with all the money going in on a six-high flop.

With Homsi needing to fade a King to stay in the tournament, a blank on the turn and an Ace on the river would see him double through to just under 60,000 as Fares slipped to 750 in chips.

Tags: Adham Homsi