The PMU.fr World Poker Tour National Marrakech main event played out to both live and Twitch railbirds over the weekend as local pro player Rachid Rami outlasted a field of 396 to claim the $97,586 first prize.
On the third and last day of the event, which was held in the stunning Es Saadi Resort, the final table was reached when local player Houssine El Otmani busted out at tenth, leaving a table comprised mainly of five French players, two Moroccans and Portuguese pro Joao Correia.
The action moved on quickly until only Rami, Arthur Conan and Mohammed Lahlou were still standing, at which point the trio called for a halt to negotiate the possibilities of a chop. Conan turned down the prospect, and the action resumed.
Conan’s rejection of a shared top three prize pool probably cost him dearly, because he was the next player to go, eliminated by Rami at third for $46,224.
That left the two Moroccans to battle for the main prize and the honours, with Rami holding a substantial lead. The evenly matched duo fought on for a while, with Lahlou making some progress but never managing to seize the lead, and ultimately heading for the exit and a second-placing reward of $66,769.
It must have been a particularly cost-effective and pleasing victory for Rami, who entered the competition on the back of a Euro 150 live satellite win.
Other final table cashes included:
Dimitri Sukhorukov $33,179
Alexandre Riccomi $25,475
Alexandre Andre Henri De Zutter $20,339
Joao Pinto Correia $16,230
Mathieu Maroccini $13,148
Jean-Claude Guiot $10,580