Kick Off of the 2008 St. Maarten Open

We're here on the beautiful Caribbean Island, St. Maarten part of the Dutch Antilles, for the 2008 St. Maarten Open directed by TK Poker Events and sponsored by Everest Poker.

Literally 2 minutes from the airport, there's never a dull moment on beaches of the Sonesta Maho Hotel or at the tables of the Casino Royale.

Everest Poker sent 6 qualifiers to St. Maarten to play in the $3,000 No Limit Holdem Main Event.

From left to right, Guillaume Poupart from France, Hubert Lahaye and Lex Ruben from the Netherlands, Thorsten Schwesig from Germany, Arie Groen from the Netherlands and Fari Badiemansour (not shown) from Great Britain.

There are just 3 minutes left in level 1 and all 52 players are still in the tournament. Blinds are at 25 - 50. Initial chips were 15,000.