$5,300 High Roller Day 1 | 2023 Merit Poker Gangster Series

11-27-2023 00:45 UTC+2

Samavati Gets Aggressive

Jeremy Geist

Level 6 : 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

There was a late position open to 2,500 and they only got one call when Navid Samavati defended his big blind.

The 5♥2♠2♦ flop landed and action checked to the opener who continued for 1,600. After a moment in the tank Samavati put in a check-raise to 5,000. His opponent thought it over and then flicked in a call.

The 4♠ rolled off on the turn introducing a backdoor flush draw. Samavati took his time and then put out a big wager of 12,000. His opponent went into the tank but eventually found a fold.

Samavati dragged the pot and is currently sitting with a top three stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
Navid Samavati	265,000 5,000	5,000

Tags: Navid Samavati

11-27-2023 00:19 UTC+2

Rusinovas Has Opponent Pipped

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Jeremy Geist

Level 6 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

The action was opened from the cutoff by Aleksandras Rusinovas to 2,500. He only got a call from the button on their way to a 6♣7♦Q♥ flop.

Rusinovas continued for 2,600 and the button called before the dealer put the 5♥ on the turn. Rusinovas slowed down with a check and the button took the opportunity to take the betting lead and put out 6,600.

Rusinovas called and the J♠ hit the river. He checked one more time and the button thought it over before putting out one more bet of 5,000. Rusinovas snap called.

The button tabled Q♣10♥ and Rusinovas tabled A♣Q♠ for the better top pair to drag the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Aleksandras Rusinovas	225,000

Tags: Aleksandras Rusinovas

Level: 6

Blinds: 600/1,200

Ante: 1,200

11-26-2023 23:57 UTC+2

The Guarantee Has Already Been Hit!

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Jeremy Geist

Level 5 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

There have now been 61 total players who have entered the $5,300 high roller and the $300,000 guarantee has already been met! Late registration is open until level 12 on Day 2.

How big will this prize pool get?

11-26-2023 23:51 UTC+2

Break Time

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Jeremy Geist

Level 5 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

Players are now on a 10-minute break.

11-26-2023 23:44 UTC+2

Pudel Sends His Opponent to the Rail

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Jeremy Geist

Level 5 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

There was an early position open before the action folded to Nils Pudel in the small blind who put in a three-bet. The original raiser called and they were off to a flop.

The Q♠9♣A♥ flop hit the felt and Pudel put out a continuation bet of 8,000. After a moment in the tank his opponent announced he was all in for about 16,000. Pudel flicked in the few more chips and they were off.

Early Position: A♦3♦4
Nils Pudel: A♠J♥

The early position player needed some help but the K♦ turn and the 7♥ river sent him to the rail. Pudel was pushed the pot as his opponent made their exit.

Player	Chips	Progress
Nils Pudel	135,000

Tags: Nils Pudel

11-26-2023 23:26 UTC+2

Skhulukhiya Takes From Sibgatova

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Jeremy Geist

Level 5 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

Alisa Sibgatova opened under the gun to 2,000 and only got called in one spot by Giorgiy Skhulukhiya on the button.

The 8♠10♥4♦ flop landed and Sibgatova continued for 3,500. Skhulukhiya called.

The 8♣ turn hit the felt and Sibgatova slowed down with a check. Skhulukhiya took the betting lead and put out a wager of 5,500. Sibgatova was undeterred and flicked in a call.

The 8♦ river rolled off and Sibgatova checked again. Skhulukhiya thought over his options for close to a minute before checking back. Sibgatova was a bit hesitant to show but eventually tabled K♦9♦ while Skhulukhiya tabled pocket sevens for a boat and the win.

Player	Chips	Progress
Giorgiy Skhulukhiya	128,000 8,000	8,000
Alisa Sibgatova	58,000 2,000	2,000

Level: 5

Blinds: 500/1,000

Ante: 1,000

11-26-2023 23:06 UTC+2

Round of Chip Counts and New Players

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Jeremy Geist

Level 4 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Kamal Bejjani	290,000 194,000	194,000
Navid Samavati	260,000 125,000	125,000
Aziz Efe	160,000 50,000	50,000
Toby Joyce	130,000
Halil Tasyurek	122,000
Giorgiy Skhulukhiya	120,000 5,000	5,000
Shuang Luo	115,000
Damir Gabdullin	90,000
Victor Yugay	85,000 7,000	7,000
Alisa Sibgatova	60,000
Xuming Qi	55,000
Maksim Skripkin	55,000
Oleg Netaliev	39,000

11-26-2023 22:52 UTC+2

Soika Puts in the Back Four-Bet

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Jeremy Geist

Level 4 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Action was opened under the gun to 1,800. Ihar Soika called in middle position, late position called, the button called, and then the small blind moved all in for about 30,000.

The original raiser folded and action was back on Ihar Soika who thought over his options for a few moments before putting in a back four-bet for all of his chips while covering the rest of the field.

The remaining two players folded and the cards hit their back with the small blind at risk.

Small blind: 9♥9♦
Ihar Soika: Q♥Q♣

The full board ran out 3♣6♠6♦A♦10♥ and Soika scooped after getting tricky with his premium.