John Tabatabai Is Latest All Africa Poker Champion

March 17 - South Africans were bowled over by the erratic playing style and aggressive moves of John Tabatabai, All Africa Poker champion for 2008, who won the title - and a cool R1-million - at the tournament's twelfth annual event recently. Tabatabai proved that his previous position as runner up in the World Series of Poker Europe tournament was no fluke, as he took down several tough opponents at Piggs Peak Casino in Swaziland before grabbing the title.

Another favorite at this year's All Africa Poker Champs was Raymond Rahme, a former champion of the event and a 2007 final table World Series of Poker ace. Rahme has been responsible for a huge upsurge of popularity in the South African gambling market, and he has attracted a significant following of players and fans who cheered him on through his third place win at this year's event.

John Tabatabai, All Africa Poker champion, is best known for his unsuccessful heads-on battle against Swedish teen wunderkind, Annette Obrestad at last year's WSOPE main event. Bulldozing his way through the final table with his erratic, aggressive playing style and eliminating the other nine finalists in his midst, including poker ace Gus Hansen, Tabatabai met Obrestad who outsmarted him with her cool, Scandinavian demeanor. Britain's 'craziest player' was naturally devastated about his loss, despite an impressive second placing.

After winning the All Africa Poker title, Tabatabai offered several words of advice to up and coming South African poker players: "Do not try to become a pro or make poker your sole income. You will play better if you have a backstop, something that takes the financial pressure off. Never assume you are the best player. Listen to everyone, even players you consider weaker than yourself. They will give you an insight into how they think which will help you play against them".