Sam Farha

Ihsan (Sam) Farha was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1959 and now lives in Houston, Texas. Sam Farha moved to the USA after the Lebanese Civil War broke out when he was in his teens. After settling in Wichita, Kansas in 1977, he attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in business administration. Farha eventually and moved to Houston, Texas to work with his brother and he first played a game of poker a year after arriving in Houston.

Farha first became famous in the poker world at the main event of the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) when he went head-to-head with Chris Moneymaker - poker's overnight sensation. Moneymaker's miracle win still landed Farha a big payday of $1.3 million for getting second place. Shortly after this memorable match, Pokerstars.com arranged a rematch between Sam Farha and Moneymaker and Farha won.

Sam Farha took home the $2500 Pot-Limit Omaha WSOP championship in 1996, earning him his first gold bracelet and $145,000. In 2006, he won his 2nd bracelet in the $5000 Limit Omaha 8/b WSOP championship and cashing in $398,560.

Farha is somwhat superstitious. He's not a smoker, but he has been seen to sport a "lucky cigarette," which he keeps between his lips but never lights. He has also been known to change unlit cigarettes after a bad beat. Farhs's play style is both aggressive and unpredictable and he has a way of intimidating his opponents.

Sam Farha is currently working on a book, tentatively titled "Luck is Not Enough", a reality TV poker series, and a video game. He is a spokesman for Harrah's casino in Las Vegas and he is currently appearing in the GSN series High Stakes Poker.

Fun Facts:

• Works as Spokesman for Harrah's Casino.
• Former pinball champion.