Sydney’s Michael Brahim wins 2024 WSOP Circuit Sydney Main Event ($387,597)
Mufit Brahim, better known as Michael to friends and family, is the 2024 WSOP Circuit Sydney Main Event champion, claiming his first WSOP ring and a massive $387,597 first place prize at The Star Sydney.
The Sydneysider outlasted a field of 1,035 starters to secure victory, showing tremendous patience when short-stacked early in the day before capitalizing when the cards fell his way when it mattered most. He ultimately made his big move three-handed when he won a key flip to eliminate Sherry Fang in third before securing the win after an hour-long heads-up battle against Banipal “Barney” Babana.
This was, ironically, Brahim’s second big win at The Star Sydney in 2024, having also won the $5k at the Sydney Champs in May, however even that result pales compared to a WSOP ring.
“It’s good to get the monkey off my back,” he told PokerMedia Australia shortly after the final card was dealt. “I came in and was a short stack all day but I hung in there, started catching some cards. Luck went my way and here we are – I’m a WSOP Circuit champion.”
Asked about his approach heading into Day 3 as one of 12 remaining players, Brahim explained, “It was all about picking my spots. I didn’t have a lot of room to manoeuvre with a 12 to 15 big blind stack, so it was about finding spots and getting it in when I had the goods.”
A regular at Sydney’s Poker Place, Brahim revealed that he has made a habit of playing alongside Poker Palace owner Rod Meneses with the duo usually swapping a percentage of one another. Unfortunately for Rod, his timing has proved to be disastrous as he couldn’t make it The Star this week.
Nevertheless, Brahim – the co-Managing Director of a financial receivables management company – says he’ll make good use of the extra cash.
“Look, the money is obviously very good. It’s not life changing but it’s good,” he said. “My daughter is getting married next year so if she needs a little bit of extra money, I will give it to her. It’s just great to have a score like this. Winning the WSOP ring is a big deal and one that I will cherish forever.”
Banipal “Barney” Babana eliminated in 2nd ($239,531)
And just like that it’s over! A short-stacked Banipal Babana shoved for around 10 big blinds and Mufit Brahim made the call. Babana was a strong favourite holding A♥J♥ against the A♣2♣ of Brahim but the 2♠ in the window changed all that.
The board ran out K♦3♦2♠3♥Q♣ to eliminate Babana and crown our 2024 WSOP-C Sydney Main Event champion!
Brahim takes control in huge clash
In the biggest pot of the tournament so far, Mufit Brahim opened to 1.2 million on the button and Banipal Babana made the call.
The flop fell 2♦3♣4♣ and Babana check-called Brahim’s c-bet of 1 million.
On the turn 8♣, Babana again check-called a bet of 2.5 million to see the 5♣ land on the river.
This time Babana led out for 4.5 million, sending Brahim into the tank for around two minutes. He then announced he was all-in and it was now Babana in the blender. He tanked for a full five minutes before eventually mucking, leaving himself around 6.6 million behind.
Brahim now holds a dominant chip lead with 34.8 million.
Babana picks of the bluff
After Banipal Babana completed the action and Mufit Brahim checked his option, both players checked the Q♦4♠10♥ flop as the dealer dealt the 3♠ on the turn.
Mufit then bet 700,000 and Babana called.
On the 10♣ river, Mufit fired 1.5 million with Babana eventually calling. Mufit showed J♦8♥ with Babana’s A♦6♠ good enough to take it down.
There have been no sizable pots to speak of so far in this heads-up battle but that hand sees Babana close the gap a little in the chip counts.
Heads-up
The heads-up chip counts are as follows:
| Mufit Brahim | 28,700,000 |
| Banipal Babana | 12,800,000 |
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Sherry Fang eliminated in 3rd ($180,104)
Mufit Brahim opened to 1 million on the button before Sherry Fang announced she was all-in for 7.5 million. Brahim thought for around 20 seconds before pushing a stack of 100k chips into the middle, indicating a call.
It was Fang’s 6♠6♣ racing against the A♦9♠ of Brahim and she looked in decent shape on the J♣J♠5♠ flop, but the turn 4♠ and river 3♠ gave him the better flush to send Fang to the rail.
The remaining two players will now take a short break to prepare for heads-up!
Firing on all cylinders
Mufit Brahim continues to build a healthy chip lead and just won a decent pot against Sherry Fang on which he kept firing on all streets.
After opening the button and receiving a call from Fang in the big blind, Brahim bet 650,000 on the A♣6♠K♥ flop, 1.5 million on the 8♦ turn and 3 million on the 3♥ river with Fang folding to that last bet.
| Mufit Brahim | 20,400,000 |
| Sherry Fang | 10,200,000 |
| Banipal Babana | 9,000,000 |
A little feisty
It’s been an incredibly tight affair for most of this 3-handed battle, although Banipal Babana and Sherry Fang have started getting a bit feisty. It started with Fang opening the button to 1 million and receiving a call from Mufit Brahim before Babana announced he was all-in, with both opponents quickly folding.
Next hand it was folded to Babana in the small blind who completed to 500,000 only for Fang to bump it up to 1.5 million and get the fold.
Then, next hand, Babana opened to 1 million on the button before Fang 3-bet to 2.2 million, with another fold.
The games have just begun.
Final Three Set as Mufit Brahim Leads the Charge
After having a strong Level 32, Mufit Brahim emerges as the current chip leader, slightly ahead of Sherry Fang.
| Player | Chip Count |
| Mufit Brahim | 17,850,000 |
| Sherry Fang | 16,150,000 |
| Banipal Babana | 7,475,000 |
Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Nom Nom Nom, Dinner Break!
The final 3 have now gone on a 45 min dinner break. We will update chip counts after the break.
Alex Ibrahim eliminated in 4th ($136,666)
Alex Ibrahim’s tournament journey came to a heartbreaking end in 4th place after running into a series of tough hands. With his stack taking a dive, Ibrahim made his final stand, pushing all in from the small blind with 5♣2♣ only to run into Mufit Brahim, holding A♠J♣.
The board came down 10♣K♠4♠A♥, leaving Ibrahim needing a straight to stay alive. The 8♠ peeled on the river and unfortunately for Ibrahim, this wasn’t the miracle card he needed.
After a strong performance throughout the day, Ibrahim was eliminated, joining his friends on the rail as the tournament moves into its final stages.
Fang bites back!
Commotion at the final table, with a board of 8♦Q♥9♦. Sherry Fang bets 1,200,000 and is called by Alex Ibrahim.
Turn: 6♥
Fang announces an all in. A call for 8,600,000 made this the biggest pot this tournament. Tension.
River: 6♣
A resounding “YES!” and a run to the rail, Fang takes this one down, leaving Ibrahim short and propelling Fang to over 20million.
Ibrahim Chips Away at Fang
Alex Ibrahim opened for 800,000 from under the gun, with Sherry Fang defending her big blind to see a flop of 6♠K♥3♣. Fang checked, prompting Ibrahim to bet 425,000, and Fang made the call.
The turn brought the 10♣, and both players opted to check.
On the river, the 10♦ paired the board. Fang checked once more, and Ibrahim fired a sizable bet of 2.9 million. Fang went deep into the tank, contemplating her decision for nearly five minutes before finally folding.
Ibrahim raked in the pot, chipping away at Fang and adding to his stack.
Time to play
The aggression levels have clearly increased since play reached 4-handed, with Alex Ibrahim and Mufit Brahim clashing on multiple occasions.
In a recent hand, Ibrahim opened to 600,000 before Brahim 3-bet to 2 million on the button. It was folded back around to Ibrahim who announced he was all-in for around 7 million. Brahim tanked for a good 3 minutes before folding.
A few hands later and with the blinds rising to 200k/400k, Banipal Babana opened to 800,000 and both Sherry Fang on the button and Brahim in the big blind called.
The flop fell A♥Q♠10♦ and it was checked to Fang who bet 1.1 million. Brahim then re-raised to 3 million and everyone folded.
Good watching!
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Brahim doubles
Looking to pressure his opponent, Alex Ibrahim shoved from the small blind but was looked up by Mufit Brahim in the big, who woke up with 8♦8♣.
Ibrahim sheepishly showed the 9♦5♦ but found no love on the 6♠3♣4♥10♥J♣ board.
Mufit scores a vital double to bring himself back into contention.
| Mufit Brahim | 7,050,000 |
| Alex Ibrahim | 7,025,000 |
Babana taking no prisoners
Having been a little quiet for the past hour, Banipal Babana has upped the aggression of late.
After Sherry Fang limped UTG and Mufit Brahim completed out of the small blind, Babana bumped it up by 950,000 on top to force a fold from both players.
Next hand Alex Ibrahim opened to 600,000 only for Babana to 3-bet to 1.9 million – again forcing a fold.
He is close to moving back above 10 million in chips.
A splash of Sherry
After losing a few hands, Sherry Fang looked to rebuild her stack, raising 700,000 from the button. Both Alex Ibrahim in the small blind and Mufit Brahim in the big blind came along for the ride.
Flop: 3♣10♥7♠
Action checked to Fang, who fired a continuation bet of 700,000. Ibrahim quickly folded, but Brahim called to see the turn.
Turn: Q♦
Brahim checked again, and Fang applied the pressure with a bet of 2 million. Brahim gave it some thought but ultimately folded, allowing Fang to scoop the pot and regain momentum.
James Rubinski eliminated in 5th ($104,661)
On the very first hand back from the break, James Rubinski shoved for his remaining 2 million and was called by Sherry Fang, who happened to look down at A♣A♠.
Rubinski held Q♣J♣ and picked up outs on the 4♠7♣10♣ flop but the turn 3♦ and river A♦ didn’t help as he became our latest casualty of the day.
Fang keeps climbing, now up to 16.5 million.
Updated chip counts
The remaining players are now guaranteed a 6 figure payout. Here’s the current chip counts at the WSOP-C Main Event Final Table.
| Player | Chip Count |
| Sherry Fang | 14,125,000 |
| Banipal Babana | 11,265,000 |
| Alex Ibrahim | 7,657,000 |
| Mufit Brahim | 6,050,000 |
| James Rubinski | 2,000,000 |
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Break it up!
Players are now on a 15 minute break. 5 remain. Sherry Fang enters the next level as the chip leader, with Banipal Babana hot on her heels.
River rescue
Banipal Babana opened to 500,000 and Alex Ibrahim 3-bet to 1.3 million. Mufit “Michael” Brahim then shoved for his last 2.5 million with Ibrahim calling.
It was off to the races with Ibrahim holding J♦J♥ and Brahim the A♥K♥. It looked like Brahim’s day was over when the board fell 6♦7♣8♠6♥ but the river was the K♦ to double him through to almost 6 million.
| Alex Ibrahim | 6,500,000 |
| Mufit Brahim | 5,900,000 |
Sherry on top
Sherry Fang has been steadily climbing throughout this final table. In another small clash with Banipal Babana, Fang called Babana’s turn bet of 1,250,000 on a board of 9♠7♠7♠3♣ .
The river of the 4♥ brought a check check. Fang took the pot with 10♠9♦ against Babana’s J♣8♠ placing her as the current chip leader.
Jethro Horowitz eliminated in 6th ($80,904)
Moments after Leslie Tsui’s departure, Jethro Horowitz opened to 550,000 and was faced with a 3-bet to 1,250,000 from Banipal Babana. Horowitz replied with a shove and Babana called.
Jethro Horowitz: K♠K♦
Banipal Babana: A♣Q♦
The board ran out 2♥3♥Q♠Q♥4♥ and Babana hit his trips to eliminate Horowitz in sixth. He is now keeping pace with Fang with a stack of 13.5 million.
Leslie Tsui eliminated in 7th ($63,130)
Leslie Tsui limped in from the cut-off and was called by Banipal Babana in the small blind. Sherry Fang checked her option as they took a flop of 7♠4♣10♣.
Fang then led out for 350,000 only for Tsui to bump it up to 1.5 million. Fang called.
On the turn 8♥, Fang checked to Tsui who jammed for 4,325,000. Fang went deep into the tank before eventually shouting “I call … two pair” and showing 7♥4♠.
Tsui was in trouble holding K♦K♣ and when the river fell a 5♦ he was headed to the cashier.
Fang is now a clear chip leader with 13.3 million.
Rubinski gets aggressive again
James Rubinski started the final table with a few open shoves, and he has ramped up the aggression again here. He began by ripping it for 2.6 million under the gun, forcing Alex Ibrahim to fold what he later said was pocket 10s, then next hand shoves over the top of Banipal Babana’s 500k open to again force the fold.
With that he has climbed back towards the 4 million chip mark.
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Paris Sitzoukis eliminated in 8th ($49,727)
Paris Sitzoukis had been surprisingly quiet at this final table, but he found a hand he was willing to roll with and announce he was all-in from the cut-off for 1,950,000.
Jethro Horowitz made the call and it wasn’t great news for Sitzoukis with his 6♥6♦ dominated by the Q♦Q♠ of Horowitz.
The K♥J♥10♥ flop gave Sitzoukis flush outs but the 9♦ turn and 8♠ river brought no more help as he hits the rail.
Horowitz, who copped a brutal beat yesterday when his Aces were cracked by a one-outer, has rebuilt and now sits with 4.8 million.
Ibrahim cold 4-bet shoves
Jethro Horowitz opened to 450,000 from the cut-off and Banipal Babana called on the button. Sherry Fang then 3-bet to 1.4 million from the small blind only for Alex Ibrahim to 4-bet shove to 3,825,000 from the big blind.
Horowitz and Babana quickly folded but Fang thought long and hard before letting it go as well.
Ibrahim picks up a nice pot to move to around 6.3 million.
Fang takes from Babana
In a battle of the blinds, Banipal Babana and Sherry Fang clashed on the turn of a board reading 7♠8♦8♥10♠.
Babana led for 450,000 only for Feng to pop it up to 1,200,000. Babana called but the 6♦ slowed the action. Both players checked and Babana rolled over 10♦5♥ but Fang had flopped trips with her K♥8♣ to scoop the pot.
| Sherry Fang | 8,800,000 |
| Banipal Babana | 8,125,000 |
Daniel Veljkovic eliminated in 9th ($39,549)
First hand back from the break, James Rubinski announced all-in and was called by Daniel Veljkovic in the big blind.
Rubinski was in good shape with A♦10♥ against the A♥4♥ of Veljkovic and held as the board ran out 6♦5♣J♠9♣5♥.
Rubinski moves to 3,300,000 with that pot.
Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Latest chip counts
| Banipal Babana | 10,650,000 |
| Sherry Fang | 6,875,000 |
| Leslie Tsui | 5,100,000 |
| Alex Ibrahim | 4,725,000 |
| Jethro Horowitz | 4,300,000 |
| Paris Sitzoukis | 3,450,000 |
| Mufit Brahim | 2,325,000 |
| James Rubinski | 2,275,000 |
| Daniel Veljkovic | 1,775,000 |
Break time
It’s been a very quiet, very cagey half hour or so on this final table with no significant battles to speak of. That will likely change after this 15-minute break when the average stack drops down to a little over 20 big blinds. See you soon!
FINAL TABLE
| Seat 1 | Paris Sitzoukis | 2,225,000 |
| Seat 2 | Leslie Tsui | 5,525,000 |
| Seat 3 | Jethro Horowitz | 4,025,000 |
| Seat 4 | Banipal Babana | 8,975,000 |
| Seat 5 | Sherry Fang | 7,550,000 |
| Seat 6 | Alex Ibrahim | 5,625,000 |
| Seat 7 | Mufit Brahim | 2,425,000 |
| Seat 8 | James Rubinski | 1,850,000 |
| Seat 9 | Daniel Veljkovic | 1,775,000 |
Dean Blatt eliminated in 10th ($31,760)
Dean Blatt was all-in again for his remaining 400,000 and needing help holding 10♠5♥ against the 5♦5♣ of Jethro Horowitz.
This time there was no miracle, with the board running out A♦4♣7♣Q♥A♠.
With that we have our official final table! Players will take a 20-minute break while they get themselves sorted at the feature table.
Blatt blasted
Dean Blatt was left crippled after a hand against Jethro Horowitz in which he couldn’t catch that magic “Chinese 8” holding pocket 8s against his opponent’s 9s.
Left with just 100,000 in chips, he was all-in and called by three opponents who checked it down on the 4♠9♥9♦8♦J♠ board.
Incredibly, Blatt rolled over Q♠10♥ for the straight as he survives – although he still has less than three big blinds.
Huey Lam eliminated in 11th ($31,760)
Huey Lam limped in from late position before Sherry Fang announced she was all-in from the big blind. Lam quiuckly called and tabled K♣K♦ to be in great position to double against the 8♣8♦ of Fang.
“No Chinese 8!” he called as the dealer spread the flop, but alas an 8 there was as the board ran out 8♠5♠J♦9♠6♦.
“I saw it!” Fang cried as she collected even more chips and sent Lam to the rail.
She now has 6,675,000.
LEVEL 29: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Fang doubles through Horowitz
Sherry Fang open-shoved for 1,825,000 and it was folded around to Jethro Horowitz who made the call.
The cards were turned as Fang showed K♠8♠ and needing help against the Q♥Q♣ of Horowitz. That help arrived on the K♣5♠5♥5♦3♣ board as she doubled through to almost 4 million, while Horowitz was left with about 1 million behind.
Sitzoukis sizzles
Here on Level 28, it’s a battle between Alex Ibrahim and Paris Sitzoukis.
Ibrahim raised on the button to 250,000. A call from Sitzoukis and James Rubinski in the big blind folded.
Flop: Q♣8♦2♣
Sitzoukis checked. Ibrahim bets 225,000. Sitzoukis bumps it up to 650,000. Ibrahim made the call.
Turn: 10♦
After tanking Sizoukis slides his remaining 2.5mil into the middle.
“There’s some good bluffs in there for you. So many.” Ibrahim said to Sitzoukis. Eventually making the fold.
| Paris Sitzoukis | 4,400,000 |
| Alex Ibrahim | 2,300,000 |
A tale of caution
After witnessing mountains of aggression on Day 2, it’s notable that the 11 remaining players are being far more cautious early on Day 2 – no doubt all with an eye on that final table.
There have been a few instances of short stacks shoving, however, with both Sherry Fang and Jethro Horowitz forcing folds from Leslie Tsui after he opened the action in recent hands.
An indication of the stakes!
Star’s 11
Amin Riyazati eliminated in 12th ($31,760)
On the fourth hand of the day, Banipal Babana opened to 250,000 on the button before Amin Riyazati announced he was all in for 1,560,000 from the small blind.
Alex Ibrahim folded in the big but Babana made the call to find himself well ahead holding K♠Q♠ to Riyazati’s K♦7♦.
The board ran out 8♥9♣10♣Q♣Q♥ as we lose our first player of the day.
Babana moves up to 6.7 million after that hand.
LEVEL 28: 75,000/125,000 (125,000)
Final table starting chip counts
| Player | Chips |
| Leslie Tsui | 6,250,000 |
| Alex Ibrahim | 5,450,000 |
| Banipal Babana | 4,825,000 |
| Paris Sitzoukis | 4,450,000 |
| Daniel Veljkovic | 3,675,000 |
| Mufit Brahim | 3,300,000 |
| Jethro Horowitz | 3,225,000 |
| James Rubinski | 3,125,000 |
| Dean Blatt | 2,375,000 |
| Huey Lam | 1,900,000 |
| Amin Riyazati | 1,450,000 |
| Sherry Fang | 1,450,000 |
The home stretch
Welcome back to PokerMedia Australia’s coverage of the 2024 WSOP Circuit Sydney Main Event, live from The Star Sydney.
Today sees the final 12 players return for Day 3 as we play down to a winner of the 2024 WSOP Circuit Sydney.
Leading the way is Hong Kong’s Leslie Tsui, who has emerged as somewhat of a surprise frontrunner given that this is his first ever live tournament! Tsui, who made a late charge to grab the chip lead, bagged 6,250,000 late last night but faces plenty of competition from a field packed with quality and experience – the likes of Amin Riyazati and Dean Blatt to name just a few.
To see how the action has unfolded in recent days, check out our Day 1A, Day 1B, Day 1C and Day 2 blogs.
Who will etch their name into the record books in 2024? Follow PMA’s live reporting over the next five days to find out! Our team will be on the ground from go to woe bringing you all the action right here at pokermedia.com, so stay tuned from 11:30pm AEDT as we enjoy this long-awaited return to the Harbour City!
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