News Rumble in the Jungle – Karibu Dar es Salaam
The cream of the Southern African poker fraternity descended upon Dar es Salaam, Tanzania today, on the first day of November, to greetings of Karibu (“Welcome”) with the goal of winning the US$150,000 guaranteed first prize, at the second Rumble in the Jungle Poker Tournament. Many rose before 5am (some didn’t even make it to bed after a good night at the tables) to travel to “The modern heart of an ancient land”, as described by locals.
The poker weekend experience began with a variety of hotly contested cash games, with many familiar All Africa Poker television channel regulars gracing the tables of the beautiful 5 Star Kempinskii Kilimanjaro Hotel poker room. Notably, amongst the 80 odd field of tournament entrants, are WSOP 3rd place finisher, Raymond Rahme, All Africa Poker commentators, Ryan Dreyer, David Dadic & Darren Miller, former All Africa Poker champions Ryan Eber, Nick “can’t-stop-this” Katsapas and Claude Sacks, and regular tournament players Joe Rahme, Brett Pozniak, Greg Ronaldson, Jarred Solomon, Oliver Berman, Alan Berman, Guil Yahav, Jason Strauss, Joggie Aucamp … to name a few.
The ladies have ensured that there is fair representation and Ronit Chamani, Martie Faber, Madelize Aucamp, Sian Fisher brought their top form to this weekend of poker. There was a strong local Tanzanian contingent and players from Nairobi, showing that poker’s popularity has reached even far into the African continent.
All Africa Poker Tournament Director and Sandy Koor, enjoyed being “on the other side” of the table, and represented team All Africa Poker with a superb performance, placing second to Ryan Eber after a well fought heads up challenge. Eber took home the $150,000 cash prize and gold & diamond bracelet, while Koor was $50,000 richer for his second place position.
Michael Collet Productions was the production team on site to bring broadcast quality poker programming to the All Africa Poker channel, DSTV 393. It is evident that tournament sponsors Kilimanjaro Kapinsky Hotel and Casino, Odyssey International and Shivacom, Tanzania have put a lot of effort into making this event a success.
This tournament was a great precursor to the largest freeze-out tournament in Africa, the 11th All Africa Poker Tournament, being held at Piggs Peak Hotel & Casino, Swaziland on the weekend of 16th to 19th November. There are only a few seats available for this tournament, and you can register at www.allafricapoker.com or contact Victoria on (011) 4078700, or email victoriaw@allafricapoker.com.
