When we left you last night, Belizean Businessman Bob Bou-Nahra was in the final 15 at the World Series of Poker at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas.
He had already gone further than anyone could have expected, making it from a group of almost seven thousand players from all over the world three weeks ago - down to the final few.
But in his sixth trip to the main event World Series, the 49 year old did not settle for well enough; his mission was to make it to the final nine - the elite of the poker world who will play in the big money final in November.
And this morning at 3:30 am, Belize time - after an epic five and a half hour second round of playing which aired on ESPN 2 - during which he never once took off his "Belize" hat - Bou-Nahra made it - as the tenth competitor folded, leaving the "November Nine" to advance.
Bou-Nahra is in sixth position overall with 19.7 million in chips. His play is described by commentators as solid. When the final starts in November, he will be going up against competition from Germany, the UK, The Ukraine, Ireland, the Czech Republic and the United States.
He's been in Vegas since the end of June and returns home on Friday - after a round of interviews tomorrow. And when he gets home it is expected that he will be approached by sponsors and international media as they build up hype for the November final.
And besides all that, he isn't coming home on "nada."
According to the World Series of Poker website, "Each of the players who made it this far are now guaranteed $782,115 dollars in prize money. In fact, eight of the top nine finishers will become millionaires."
It continues to say that the eventual grand winner, quote "achieves instant fame, fortune and immortality. He will collect a whopping $8,711,956 in prize money."
Now, Bou-nahra is still a long way from there, but his accomplishment cannot be overlooked. While gambling is still frowned upon in many quarters as a less than wholesome diversion - and locally, most of us have no frame of reference for the World Series of Poker - just in terms of media, sustained exposure and hours on television, the World Series is a huge event. Yes. It's only a card game, but a hugely popular one internationally and the stakes and the attention are huge. And, more than that, his local supporters are determined to settle a score with the commentators who glibly opined that Bou Nahra is probably the first Belizean to go to Vegas. The gambling fraternity say they will be there in numbers.
In a lead-up to the final in November, the entire event will now be reduced to episodes which will air weekly on ESPN 2.
