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Main Event PokerStars NAPT

In the heart of the gambling whirlwind, under the vaults of Resorts World Las Vegas, the main stage of the PokerStars North American Poker Tour Las Vegas with a $1,650 buy-in concluded. The final seven players, breaking free from a crowd of 1,095 participants, reconvened at the gaming table, which became the arena for an epic showdown. After eight hours of intense play, poker dealer Sami Bechahed, whose wife is in the final stage of the “parenting tournament,” emerges victorious, not only pulling in $268,945 but also securing the first NAPT champion title in the last 12 years!

“(It took) a lot of patience. I just don’t know what to say; I’m literally in shock,” shared Bechahed with PokerNews after his triumph. “It’s something surreal for me, with this stacked final table, where (Sergio) Aido, (Nick) Schulman, (David) Coleman – all outstanding players. And here I am on top. It’s like a fairy tale.”

Sami Bechahed began accumulating tournament winnings in July 2018 when the French-born poker dealer decided to switch sides of the table. Over five years of his career, he managed to secure three six-figure prizes, accumulating a prior tournament earnings total of $941,234. Two of these victories came from tournaments with buy-ins of less than $400 in Los Angeles: a second-place finish among 5,302 participants and a victory in a field of 3,065. Additionally, Bechahed earned $274,916 for winning the WSOP Circuit Dallas/Oklahoma Main Event in November of the previous year.

“I came in as the chip leader, so there was no need to feel intimidated by anyone,” he added. “I have deep respect for all of them, but I’m here to play poker. Primarily, I play poker for fun, but I take it very seriously. So, I just came here to have fun, showcase my best game, and I really got lucky.”

2023 NAPT Las Vegas Main Event Final Table Results