2009 Lebanese Poker Championship

$10,000 Championship Main Event
Day: 1
123
Event Info

2009 Lebanese Poker Championship

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
9♥8♠
Prize
$606,000
Event Info
Buy-in
$10,000
Prize Pool
$1,925,100
Entries
207
Level Info
Level
29
Blinds
50,000 / 100,000
Ante
10,000
Sort

Welcome to the Lebanese Poker Championship!

[user66118]
[user66118]
PokerNews welcomes you to our coverage of the inaugural Lebanese Poker Championship, live and in technicolor from Adma, Lebanon. Adma is a small seaside community about 30km from the Capital city of Beirut, and it is home to the Casino du Liban, the lone legal gaming center in the country. Despite some international misconceptions about the area, Lebanon is secure, remarkably friendly, and no stranger to serious tournament poker. With nearly 1,000 tournaments under their belt, the folks at Casino du Liban are setting the stage for their first ever $10,000 buy-in tournament.

This three day event is already setting up to be a huge success. The prize pool is guaranteed at $1,000,000, but with 189 players already registered, the money up for grabs has climbed over $1.75 million. The cap was initially set at 200 players, but the casino staff tells us they may try to accommodate a few extra runners, space permitting. We only have 22 tables set up right now though, so it'll be a tight squeeze for the latecomers.

2005 Main Event champion Joe Hachem was born here in Lebanon, and he has taken on the role of tournament host this week, kicking things off with a no-expenses-spared party last night at the beach resort Eddesands. Hachem commands a great deal of pride and admiration among the Lebanese, and he'll be the man to beat this week.

The staff is busy making the final preparations to the tournament room, and the dealers are gathered in the corner getting some last-minute instructions in Arabic. We're set to get underway at 4:00pm local time, just less than a half hour from now. Sit tight, we'll be right back with the shuffle up and deal!

Almost Set to Go

[user66118]
[user66118]
The seat draw for today's event was done in an unusual but effective manner. When the players paid their buy-in, they were instructed to wait in the auditorium before receiving their seat assignments. As the scheduled start time came and went, the 201 registered players crowded around the tables elbow to elbow. Finally, the big TV screen in the back corner came to life, displaying the starting seat draw for the entire field.

They're taking their seats now, and the cards should be flying in just a couple more minutes.

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

The Hotel: Casino Du Liban

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[user80015]
Casino Du Liban
Casino Du Liban
Nestled between sea, sky and mountains, eyes wide open on the Mediterranean Sea, Casino Du Liban overlooks the magnificent Jounieh Bay; 22km north of Beirut.

Established in 1959, Casino Du Liban is the Middle East’s foremost gambling destination combining a perfect blend of leisure and entertainment activities in 34,000 sqm of luxury.

For half a century it has dazzled thousands of visitors and international stars from around the globe marking Lebanon’s history with golden memories.

More than just a gambling spot, Casino Du Liban is an institution, a landmark and a legacy, and continues to symbolize the excellence of oriental hospitality with the ambition to offer the best of an era.

The Venue: La Salle Des Ambassadeurs

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[user80015]
Sophisticated and refined, the Salle Des Ambassadeurs has shaped the reputation of Casino Du Liban due to its legendary shows that mesmerized local and international audiences for the last 50-years with both splendor and extravagance.

While still offering the best in entertainment, the Salle Des Ambassadeurs is the epitome of a new art of living. Since the successful inception of Texas Holdem on the Lebanese market in the Summer of 2007, the venue is currently home to weekly tournaments hosting poker players in a luxurious environment to battle it out on the felt.

Lavish décor, spacious and comfortable setting, opulence in food and beverage complimentaries, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a seating capacity of 300 players have made the Salle Des Ambassadeurs the perfect venue for the Lebanese Poker Championships!

Some Facts And Figures About The Casino Du Liban Poker Tournaments

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[user80015]
Casino Du Liban has hosted more than 900 poker tournaments; including both Main Events and side tournaments.

Over the last two years, the Casino Du Liban has attracted more than 22,000 participants to battle it out on the felt with the total of prizes distributed exceeding US$24,000,000!

The tournament’s biggest prizepool has reached US$620,000 with the biggest prize awarded being US$200,000.

However today these records are bound to be smashed with the guaranteed prizepool of US$1,000,000 being smashed by the record turnout as it closes in on US$2,000,000.

Whoever sits atop in three days time holding the coveted trophy high and title of champion, they will also have to manage the expected US$500,000 first prize!

Homsi Doubles In Blind Battle

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[user80015]
Adham Homsi
Adham Homsi
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-?}{A-?} leading Fares' {K-?}{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

Nenad Medic Arrives

[user80015]
[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.

Sawaya Sings Loudly

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[user80015]
Catching the action with the board reading {J-Spades}{K-Spades}{A-Spades}{4-Hearts} 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}{7-Spades} for the nut-flush and the pot.
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