With the conclusion of the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event inching ever closer, we're taking a look back on some of the key hands that dictated the runs of the nine players who reached the final table.
On Day 8 of the World Series of Poker Main Event, Rami Hammoud sent Shaun Deeb to the rail.
In any poker tournament, scoring a knockout on one of the game's sharpest players – an all but guaranteed future Poker Hall of Fame inductee nonetheless – is notable.
Beyond the obvious benefit of removing a skilled opponent from the field, the confidence boost derived from the elimination can be all the difference in progressing deeper into the tournament.
In Hammoud's case, that's exactly how things played out.
The momentum he picked up from eliminating Deeb carried him all the way to a final table appearance and, at minimum, a seven-figure payout.
Deeb on the ropes, Hammoud flying
It wasn't a clash of two premiums or a cooler spot that brought about Deeb's demise. Instead, it was a simple single-raised pot.
Hammoud opened from the cutoff with 
and Deeb defended his big blind with 
off of a stack of just about 15 big blinds. On the 
flop action was inevitable as Hammoud made top pair, top kicker while Deeb connected with an open-ended straight draw.
In the face of a check Hammoud fired a bet and Deeb responded with an all-in. With the cards on their backs, Deeb was in need of help. The 
turn and 
river offered none.
"Good job, buddy," Deeb said, genuinely, as he shook hands with his opponent.
Hammoud went on to put those hard-earned Deeb chips to work – chipping up nicely to take the second-largest stack into the final table.
