Sami Bechahed

Sami Bechahed is a French-American poker player who resides in Costa Mesa, California. He began playing poker around 2018 and quickly made an impact on the live tournament circuit. In addition to playing, Bechahed works part-time as a dealer on Hustler Casino Live, a role he has maintained even after his breakout success. As he told PokerNews, “I will never do poker full time, ever. I don’t need the stress of the downswings. I like to have my little [dealing] job, and it keeps me in poker. I’m always thinking poker, whether I’m at work or when I’m playing.”

Bechahed’s first major six-figure score came in 2022 when he won the World Series of Poker Circuit Choctaw Main Event for $274,916, which remains his largest single cash. That victory propelled him past the $1 million career earnings milestone and set the stage for further success.

In November 2023, Bechahed captured the title of the first PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) champion in 12 years. He won the $1,650 NAPT Main Event at Resorts World Las Vegas, defeating a field of 1,095 entries to take home $268,945. The final table was a tense affair; Bechahed’s pivotal hand came when he flopped a set of nines against Ping Liu’s pocket queens, eliminating Liu in fourth place and building a massive chip lead. He then dispatched David Coleman in third and heads-up opponent Jonathan Borenstein in just a few hands, securing the victory. The final payouts included $168,175 for Borenstein, $120,130 for Coleman, $92,410 for Liu, and $71,080 for Sergio Aido.

Bechahed continued to perform at the highest levels in subsequent years. At the 2026 PokerStars EPT Paris, he finished 8th in the €5,300 Main Event for €137,950. He has also cashed multiple times at the World Series of Poker, including a 74th-place finish in the 2024 WSOP Main Event for $120,000, 8th place in the 2026 WSOP Event #26: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em for $29,600, and 15th place in the 2024 WSOP Event #16: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em for $32,059. At the 2024 WSOP Europe, he placed 4th in the €2,000 8-Game Mix for €13,100.

Bechahed also made deep runs in other prestigious events: 8th in the 2024 WSOP Event #31: $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em ($48,904), 29th in the 2024 WSOP Event #49: $3,000 Freezeout ($15,199), and 37th in the 2024 NAPT Las Vegas $5,300 Main Event ($17,100). His cumulative live earnings have surpassed $2 million according to PokerNews, and he ranks among the top California players on the all-time money list.

Bechahed is known for a solid, patient style of play. His decision to maintain a part-time dealing job reflects a deliberate choice to avoid the volatility of professional poker. In his NAPT win, he demonstrated the ability to let big hands develop and capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, as exemplified by his set-over-set confrontation. While not flashy, his consistent deep runs across a variety of formats—from No-Limit Hold’em to mixed games—showcase a well-rounded skill set. Bechahed’s unique perspective as a dealer likely contributes to his understanding of table dynamics and player tendencies, allowing him to remain composed under pressure.