2024 Merit Poker Carmen Series

$2,200 Merit Poker Cup
Day: 3
Event Info

2024 Merit Poker Carmen Series

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
55
Prize
$167,100
Event Info
Buy-in
$2,200
Prize Pool
$844,560
Entries
459
Level Info
Level
36
Blinds
400,000 / 800,000
Ante
800,000
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
108
Players Left
20

$2,200 Merit Poker Cup

Day 3 Completed

Father-Son Among Final 20 as Toni Kaukua Leads on Day 3 of the Merit Poker Carmen Series Merit Poker Cup

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante
Toni Kaukua
Toni Kaukua

Georges Bizet’s classic opera Carmen is one of the greatest stories ever told on stage, how the luckless soldier Don Jose is seduced by the eponymous gypsy to his eventual ruin. Today on Day 3 of the Merit Poker Carmen Series Merit Poker Cup, two players put themselves in a position to write a classic story themselves.

Aleksandr Ivanov Jr. picked up aces to bust Damir Gabdullin near the end of the night to finish with 3,720,000 and firmly in the top five. And at the bottom of the leaderboard is his father, who needed a little luck against Nenad Dukic but still bagged up 665,000 as father-and-son find themselves among 20 surviving players out of a starting field of 459.

Day 3 Top 10 Chip Counts

RankPlayerCountryChip CountBig Blinds
1Toni KaukuaFinland4,695,00078
2Maher AchourTunisia4,685,00078
3Ivan ZabiiakinRussia4,400,00073
4Aleksandr Ivanov Jr.Russia3,720,00062
5Nenad DukicSerbia3,635,00061
6Simone AndrianItaly3,580,00060
7Milen BakardjievBulgaria2,760,00046
8Boris SmuskeviciusLithuania2,690,00045
9Natan ChauskinBelarus2,090,00035
10Antonio AversaItaly2,000,00033

If they want to continue their story tomorrow, they’ll have to contend with a star-studded field that is left chasing the title. Toni Kaukua busted Yiannakis Papapetrou, Mehmet Demirkol, and Aleksandr Razinkov on his way to 4,695,000 and the tournament chip lead. Maher Achour is less than a big blind behind him after helping to burst the money bubble in spectacular fashion, spiking a two-outer on the river to bust Armand Matti. Achour then eliminated both Aleksandr Kirichenko and George Tomescu near the end of the night as he bagged up 4,685,000.

Maher Achour
Maher Achour

Other players still in contention include start-of-day chip leader Ivan Zabiiakin (4,400,000), Dukic (3,635,000), Merit Poker Western Series Warm Up champion Simone Andrian (3,580,000), Natan Chauskin (2,090,000), Simeon Spasov (1,700,000), Giorgiy Skhulukhiya (1,505,000), and Matthew Davenport (1,435,000). Nikolay Fal (1,160,000) and Maksim Shornikau (720,000) are towards the bottom of the chip counts.

Day 3 began with 108 players remaining, each trying to make the money. Koray Korkmaz, High Roller champion Jakub Michalak, Felipe Ketzer, Aylar Lie, Alexandru Papazian, and Fausto Tantillo were among those who busted short of the money. After Matti’s cruel elimination in 56th place, the top 55 all guaranteed themselves a payday as Kacper Pyzara (52nd), Dmitry Gromov (48th), Jovan Kenjic (39th), Benjamin Hamnett (36th), Maxime Chilaud (33rd), and Yuliyan Kolev (28th) headed for the payout desk.

The action on Day 4 picks up on Level 25 with blinds of 30,000-60,000 and a 60,000 big blind ante. The top 20 are already guaranteed $7,600, with a spot at the final table worth $16,900. The eventual champion earns $167,100 and the prestigious Merit Poker title.

The curtain will fall on the Merit Poker Carmen Series tomorrow. One player will leave this Mediterranean paradise with a trophy. Stay tuned to PokerNews as 20 players return at 1 p.m. and battle until only one is left standing.

Tags: Aleksandr IvanovAleksandr Ivanov JrAleksandr KirichenkoAleksandr RazinkovAlexandru PapazianAntonio AversaArmand MattiAylar LieBenjamin HamnettBoris SmuskeviciusDamir GabdullinDmitry GromovFausto TantilloFelipe KetzerGeorge TomescuGiorgiy SkhulukhiyaIvan ZabiiakinJakub MichalakJovan KenjicKacper PyzaraKoray KorkmazMaher AchourMaksim ShornikauMatthew DavenportMaxime ChilaudMehmet DemirkolNatan ChauskinNenad DukicNikolay FalSimeon SpasovSimone AndrianToni KaukuaYiannakis PapapetrouYuliyan Kolev

End-of-Day Chip Counts

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante
Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Toni Kaukua fi
Toni Kaukua
4,695,000
195,000
195,000
Day 3 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Maher Achour tn
Maher Achour
4,685,000
385,000
385,000
Profile photo of Ivan Zabiiakin ru
Ivan Zabiiakin
4,400,000
450,000
450,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Aleksandr Ivanov Jr ru
Aleksandr Ivanov Jr
3,720,000
70,000
70,000
Profile photo of Nenad Dukic rs
Nenad Dukic
3,635,000
-35,000
-35,000
Profile photo of Simone Andrian it
Simone Andrian
3,580,000
1,280,000
1,280,000
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 2X Winner
Profile photo of Milen Bakardjiev bg
Milen Bakardjiev
2,760,000
250,000
250,000
Profile photo of Boris Smuskevicius lt
Boris Smuskevicius
2,690,000
590,000
590,000
Profile photo of Natan Chauskin by
Natan Chauskin
2,090,000
290,000
290,000
Profile photo of Antonio Aversa it
Antonio Aversa
2,000,000
50,000
50,000
Profile photo of Simeon Spasov bg
Simeon Spasov
1,700,000
-50,000
-50,000
WSOP 2X Winner
Profile photo of Giorgiy Skhulukhiya ge
Giorgiy Skhulukhiya
1,505,000
30,000
30,000
Profile photo of Matthew Davenport gb
Matthew Davenport
1,435,000
335,000
335,000
Profile photo of Mikhail Zavoloka ru
Mikhail Zavoloka
1,405,000
305,000
305,000
Profile photo of Edgard Raffoul lb
Edgard Raffoul
1,250,000
-550,000
-550,000
Profile photo of Nikolay Fal ru
Nikolay Fal
1,160,000
-240,000
-240,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Emad Ghadamian ir
Emad Ghadamian
1,100,000
-750,000
-750,000
Profile photo of Krzysztof Spisak pl
Krzysztof Spisak
820,000
420,000
420,000
Profile photo of Maksim Shornikau by
Maksim Shornikau
720,000
20,000
20,000
Profile photo of Aleksandr Ivanov ru
Aleksandr Ivanov
665,000

George Tomescu Eliminated in 21st Place ($7,600)

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante
George Tomescu
George Tomescu

George Tomescu raised to 100,000 in the hijack as action folded to Maher Achour in the small blind who moved all in. Matthew Davenport, with around 1,100,000 remaining, tanked for several minutes as he asked for a count of Tomescu's stack. He eventually folded, but Tomescu called for around 800,000.

George Tomescu: AJ All in
Maher Achour: 77

Tomescu was flipping for his tournament life, but Achour spiked a set on the 876 flop. The 8 turn improved Achour to a full house and Tomescu was already drawing dead by the 2 river and off to collect his 21st-place payout.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Maher Achour tn
Maher Achour
4,300,000
800,000
800,000
Profile photo of Matthew Davenport gb
Matthew Davenport
1,100,000
490,000
490,000
Profile photo of George Tomescu ro
George Tomescu
Busted

Tags: George TomescuMaher AchourMatthew Davenport

Dukic Wishes Opponent Good Luck and Immediately Regrets It

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante
Aleksandr Ivanov
Aleksandr Ivanov

Aleksandr Ivanov moved all in from under the gun for 295,000 and was called by Nenad Dukic in the big blind who had a covering stack.

Aleksandr Ivanov: AQ
Nenad Dukic: AK

"Good luck" Dukic told his opponent before the 962 flop was dealt. The Q turn gave Ivanov the lead and he remained ahead on the A river to double up.

"Why did I say good luck?" Dukic joked as Ivanov scooped the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Nenad Dukic rs
Nenad Dukic
3,670,000
870,000
870,000
Profile photo of Aleksandr Ivanov ru
Aleksandr Ivanov
665,000
50,000
50,000

Tags: Aleksandr IvanovNenad Dukic

Joseph Mouwad Eliminated in 22nd Place ($6,840)

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante
Joseph Mouwad
Joseph Mouwad

Joseph Mouwad moved all in for 565,000 under the gun as action folded to Nikolay Fal in the big blind who tanked for a minute before calling.

Joseph Mouwad: KK All in
Nikolay Fal: 77

Mouwad had woken up with kings and was a big favorite to double up as the flop came 29K to give him top set. Fal picked up a flush draw and hit it on the Q turn, leaving Mouwad needing the board to pair on the river.

He instead saw the 10 fall as he was sent to the rail in 22nd place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Nikolay Fal ru
Nikolay Fal
1,400,000
-300,000
-300,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Joseph Mouwad lb
Joseph Mouwad
Busted

Tags: Joseph MouwadNikolay Fal

Damir Gabdullin Eliminated in 23rd Place ($6,840)

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante
Damir Gabdullin
Damir Gabdullin

In a preflop confrontation Damir Gabdullin was all in from the small blind for just over 900,000 and up against Aleksandr Ivanov Jr. from middle position who covered him.

Damir Gabdullin: KJ All in
Aleksandr Ivanov Jr.: AA

Gabdullin couldn't catch up to Ivanov's aces on the 437K10 runout and was sent to the rail. Edgard Raffoul mentioned he had folded pocket queens preflop and that he was certain Ivanov had aces as the latter player scooped the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Aleksandr Ivanov Jr ru
Aleksandr Ivanov Jr
3,650,000
1,550,000
1,550,000
Profile photo of Damir Gabdullin ru
Damir Gabdullin
Busted

Tags: Aleksandr Ivanov JrDamir GabdullinEdgard Raffoul

Zavoloka Doubles Again

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante

Maher Achour raised to 100,000 in early position and George Tomescu called in the small blind. Mikhail Zavoloka then moved all in for 485,000 in the big blind and only Achour called.

Mikhail Zavoloka: KQ All in
Maher Achour: 33

Zavoloka hit top pair on the K106 flop and stayed in the lead through the 44 turn and river to double up, moving over 1,000,000 after being down to just 100,000 earlier this level.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Maher Achour tn
Maher Achour
3,500,000
-450,000
-450,000
Profile photo of Mikhail Zavoloka ru
Mikhail Zavoloka
1,100,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
Profile photo of George Tomescu ro
George Tomescu
800,000
-550,000
-550,000

Tags: George TomescuMaher AchourMikhail Zavoloka

Aleksandr Kirichenko Eliminated in 24th Place ($6,840)

Level 24 : Blinds 20,000/50,000, 50,000 ante
Aleksandr Kirichenko
Aleksandr Kirichenko

Aleksandr Kirichenko moved all in for 600,000 from the button and Maher Achour called in middle position.

Aleksandr Kirichenko: 55 All in
Maher Achour: 99

Kirichenko was trailing the nines of Achour as the board ran out 4AAQ8 to send him to the rail in 24th place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Maher Achour tn
Maher Achour
3,950,000
775,000
775,000
Profile photo of Aleksandr Kirichenko ru
Aleksandr Kirichenko
Busted

Tags: Aleksandr KirichenkoMaher Achour