Rachid Ben “SkaiWalkurrr” Cherif

Rachid Ben Cherif, best known as “SkaiWalkurrr,” is a young Dutch poker professional originating from Sitland, Netherlands. Widely recognized as one of the finest players in online heads-up sit’n’gos, Cherif has accumulated a substantial total of live tournament earnings exceeding $665K achieving his most significant live cash of $172.3K.

Rachid Ben Cherif: Early Life

In his early years, Rachid Ben Cherif discovered poker by watching Rob Hollink and Brandon Schaefer in the 2005 EPT Grand Final. Intrigued by its strategy, he immersed himself in poker literature and absorbed every episode of the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker. After a year of exploring poker shows and freeroll tournaments, Rachid deposited $50, engaging in 1 cent – 2 cent and 2 cent – 5 cent no-limit games, gradually building his bankroll.

Transitioning to Full Tilt, he embraced cap games, ascending to the $5-10 blind level in three months without stepping down. Known for calculated risks, he faced challenges in $25-50 shot taking.

Cherif briefly enrolled in college but left after just two months to focus on poker. Despite setbacks, including a bankroll dip to under $20K, Rachid displayed resilience, grinding his way back to success.

Venturing into heads-up sit and go games, he played for leisure until facing Heybude, prompting a more serious approach. The discovery of super turbos marked a turning point, leading to approximately $600K in winnings between May 2010 and May 2011. After Full Tilt’s closure, Rachid focused on hyper turbos on PokerStars, earning around $95,000 from July to September 2011. In 2012 and 2013, he dominated hyper turbo games, securing a prominent position in heads-up poker.

Rachid Ben Cherif: Poker Career

Rachid Ben Cherif embarked on his poker journey in December 2008 with his initial foray into live tournaments, participating in the €1,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em Main Event at VIP Days X-mas Edition in Venlo. Demonstrating early prowess, he secured a respectable 6th place finish, earning $7,950. His ascent continued in January 2013 at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in Paradise Island, where he competed in the $25,000 + $500 No Limit Hold’em event, securing 17th place and cashing for $59,980. A significant highlight in his career unfolded in July 2013 at the 44th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, where he participated in the prestigious $10,000 World Championship event, securing 53rd place and a notable cash prize of $151,063.

November 2014 marked a pivotal moment for Ben Cherif at the Master Classics of Poker in Amsterdam City Centre, as he emerged triumphant in the €10,000 + €250 No Limit Hold’em event, claiming the coveted first place and a substantial prize of $172,396. His journey in the World Series of Poker continued in July 2017, as he competed in the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Championship, finishing in the 112th position and securing a cash prize of $53,247.

The culmination of his poker career in live tournaments occurred in May 2023, where Rachid Ben Cherif achieved his first cash in a Triton live event. Competing in the $50,000 No Limit Hold’em event at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Cyprus in Kyrenia, he secured an impressive 13th place, adding $96,500 to his remarkable poker winnings.

Rachid Ben Cherif on Online Poker

Cherif is known by his poker handles SkaiWalkurrr on PokerStars and r-quaresma on now defunct-Full Tilt on online platforms. His prowess extends to high-stakes tables in both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha on PokerStars. Notably, he adhered to NLHE until February 2012, after which there was a discernible shift to PLO. While such transitions are often deemed temporary, Cherif’s adept initiation in PLO underscores his adaptability.

Beyond engaging in cash games, Cherif has dedicated considerable time to Sit ‘n Go tournaments. He showcased his proficiency in the NLHE heads-up format. A significant highlight in his poker journey unfolded during the WCOOP 2010’s $25K NLHE Heads-Up event. He engaged in a fierce battle with “RaiseOnce” for first place, ultimately securing second position but earning a commendable $194K. In the subsequent year, Cherif approached the final table once more in the WCOOP $10K NLHE Heads-Up event. He advanced to the semifinal before facing elimination.

Conclusion

Rachid Ben Cherif’s poker journey is a testament to his exceptional skills and consistent success in both online and live tournaments. From his early days in online heads-up sit’n’gos to notable finishes in prestigious events like the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and the World Series of Poker, Ben Cherif has showcased his prowess on the felt. His triumph at the Master Classics of Poker in Amsterdam and a commendable performance in Triton’s Super High Roller Series Cyprus further underscore his versatility and ability to excel in diverse poker formats. Cherif’s journey is marked by consistency, resilience, and a series of remarkable achievements, establishing him as one of the finest poker players in the international circuit.