Rami Hammoud's Strategy for the WSOP Main Event
Rami Hammoud from Montreal transforms his approach in Las Vegas and reaches the final table of the WSOP Main Event with 79 million chips.
Key Takeaways
- Rami Hammoud reached the final table of the WSOP Main Event with a carefree approach.
- He decided to play for fun instead of maximizing profits.
- Hammoud did not study poker strategies for a year prior to the event.
Rami Hammoud arrived in Las Vegas on June 18 with $20,000 for the World Series of Poker, but by early July, he was down to his last $1,000. "I was getting crushed," Hammoud commented. He was ready to go home without even playing the Main Event. However, a chance encounter at Paris Casino changed everything. A friend from Montreal convinced him to take his last $1,000 and try a satellite.
A Change of Fortune
After speaking with his friend, Hammoud decided to have some confidence in himself. With that last push, he entered a satellite and won his entry to the Main Event without having to sell part of his stake. Although he is not a full-time professional, Hammoud, who considers poker more than just a passion, now has the chance to win $9 million.
Final Table and Statistics
- Chips: 79,000,000 (2/9)
- Country: Canada
- Career Earnings: $1,512,438
Despite nearly leaving without participating, this is Hammoud's fourth attempt at the Main Event, and for the first time, he has reached the final table.
Playing on His Own Terms
Hammoud decided to change his approach after years of trying to maximize profits. This year, he decided that enjoying the game was more important. "The mindset was completely different," stated Hammoud, who prepared himself each day to leave Las Vegas if he lost.
The Unusual Approach
Daily, Hammoud would leave his hotel room, drop off his luggage at storage, and play all day. "I booked my hotel at the end of each day because my mantra was to be ready to leave at any moment." This mindset allowed him to play more aggressively, reaching the final table of the WSOP Main Event.
Performance in the Main Event
- Day 1C: 62,000
- Day 2ABC: 281,000
- Day 3: 697,000
- Day 4: 1,490,000
- Day 5: 2,630,000
- Day 6: 17,400,000
- Day 7: 41,500,000
- Day 8: 79,000,000
Hammoud's Mindset
This carefree approach is new for Hammoud, who decided to stop studying poker strategies in 2025. "I don't study the game because I wanted to maximize fun, not profits." With this change in focus, he is getting ready to enjoy the final on August 3, regardless of the outcome.
Hammoud's strategy reflects his commitment to balancing fun and performance, showing that even in high-level poker, personal enjoyment can be more valuable than simply chasing profits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Rami Hammoud reach the final table of the WSOP?
Rami Hammoud reached the final table of the WSOP Main Event after winning a satellite with his last $1,000, thanks to a change of focus and renewed confidence.
What was Hammoud's strategy at the WSOP?
Hammoud chose to play without worrying about profits, focusing on enjoying the game and adopting a more aggressive style.
What changes did Hammoud make in his approach to poker?
In 2025, Hammoud stopped studying poker strategies to focus on maximizing enjoyment of the game rather than profits.
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About the author
Sofía Carrasco
Poker Correspondent
Sofía Carrasco covers live and online poker — tournament series from the WSOP and EPT to the daily room grind, promotions, and the industry moves behind them. The reports keep every score, pot, and player name exactly as the record shows, and follow the story past the final hand: who qualified, what the structure rewarded, and how the field is shifting. For player moves, software, and regulation across the poker economy, Sofía Carrasco is the first read.
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