Omaha Hi-Lo Split 8/Better

$1,500 Buy-in
Entries: 277
Total Prize Money: $415,500

1995 Champion: Dr. Max Stern

1996 Champion: Adeeb Harb

• The Winners.
• The Showdown.

1. Adeeb Harb                       $155,815
Gulfport, MS
2. Noli Francisco                    $78,945
W New York, NJ
3. Carl Heller                       $39,475
Kingwood, TX
4. Steve Faltermeir                  $27,008
Olathe, KS
5. Jeff Chapman                      $18,695
Kansas City, MO
6. Chris Robson                      $14,543
Hednesford England
7. David Shore                       $10,388
Brooklyn, NY
8. Pete Robinovitz                    $8,310
Lincoln, NE
9. Pat Enos                           $6,233
Bethesda, MD
10. Jim Wynne                         $4,986
Evergreen Park, IL
11. Dave Templeton                    $4,986
Juneau, AK
12. John Inashima                     $4,986
Pasadena, CA
13. Bruce Levitt                      $4,155
Westlake Village, CA
14. Eli Balas                         $4,155
Las Vegas, NV
15. John Henson                       $4,155
Temple City, CA
16. Marlon Santos                     $3,324
Las Vegas, NV
17. Bill Wiley                        $3,324
Flora, IL
18. Bill Lester                       $2,700
Nesbit, MS
19. Mike Gutenplan                    $2,700
Los Angeles, CA
20. Frank Perry                       $2,077
Oakridge, TN
21. Harry Thomas                      $2,077
Ft Lauderdale, FL
22. Clyde Quick                       $2,077
Las Vegas, NV
23. John Reed                         $2,077
San Jose, CA
24. Don Kidder                        $2,077
Biloxi, MS
25. Jim Henderson                     $2,077
Houston, TX
26. Harley Ellenswing                 $2,077
Denver, CO
27. Bill Rose                         $2,077
Tacoma, WA

For his first-place finish in the $1,500 buy-in Omaha High-Low Split Eight-or-Better competition, Harb was awarded $155,815 and a custom-designed 14-karat gold bracelet to commemorate his victory.

Although he has entered several other poker competitions, this was Harb's first attempt at a World Series title. "I feel great -- really fine," he said. "I didn't think I had a chance to win until the last three or four tables." A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Harb came to the United States in 1987 and is now a U.S. citizen.

Placing second in the Omaha High-Low Split event and winning $78,945 was Noli Francisco, a 54-year-old recreational poker player from West New York, New Jersey. This marks the 11th in-the-money finish at the World Series for Francisco, who has two Hall of Fame Poker Classic titles to his credit, as well as titles from several other major competitions. An investor in both the real estate and import businesses, he has been playing poker for 26 years.

Carl Heller of Kingwood, Texas, finished third in the Omaha High-Low Split competition and won $39,475. The 1996 World Series of Poker continues at the Horseshoe through May 16. The $1,500 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold'em event begins today at noon, followed by the $1,500 buy-in pot-limit Omaha competition on April 30.

More than 4,000 entrants -- representing at least 20 countries -- are expected to participate in this year's World Series, and the total money distributed is anticipated to be in excess of $11 million.

©1996, Binion's Horseshoe. Some portions ©1996, ConJelCo. All Rights Reserved.