$2,200 Merit Poker Cup Day 3 | 2024 Merit Poker Carmen Series

Mar 30, 2024

Kirichenko Building a Monster Stack

Ryan Lashmar

Level 18 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Georges Hanna opened to 25,000 from the cutoff and Aleksandr Kirichenko defended from the big blind.

The flop came 6♣4♦3♠. Kirichenko checked and Hanna bet 35,000. Kirichenko put in a check-raise to 85,000 and Hanna moved all in for 220,000. Kirichenko made the call to put Hanna at risk.

Georges Hanna: 8♥5♥
Aleksandr Kirichenko: 7♣6♦

Both players had connected with the flop but Kirichenko's top pair was ahead of Hanna's open-ended straight draw. Hanna could not improve on the 3♥ turn or Q♣ river and was sent to the rail while Kirichenko continued to accumulate chips.

Tags: Aleksandr Kirichenko Georges Hanna

Mar 30, 2024

Suvorov Calls Down Gabdullin With Ace-High

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David Salituro

Level 18 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Yuri Suvorov raised to 25,000 in early position before Damir Gabdullin three-bet to 78,000 on the button. Suvorov called.

The flop came 6♦4♣6♠ and Gabdullin continued for 51,000. Suvorov again called to see the 10♦ turn.

Gabdullin then bet 152,000, sending Suvorov into the tank for several minutes until he called. Suvorov checked the 9♣ river, and this time Gabdullin checked back.

Suvorov showed A♠Q♦ for ace-high and Gabdullin mucked.

Tags: Damir Gabdullin Yuri Suvorov

Level: 19

Blinds: 10,000/15,000

Ante: 15,000

Mar 30, 2024

Hajj, Shamurzaev Fall

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David Salituro

Level 19 : Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante

Joseph Mouwad raised to 26,000 in early position, Tilekbek Shamurzaev moved all in for 184,000 in middle position, and Mouwad called.

Tilekbet Shamurzaev: A♣J♣ All in
Joseph Mouwad: J♠J♦

Mouwad was ahead with his jacks while Shamurzaev was looking for an ace to stay alive in the tournament. No help arrived on the 5♥Q♠7♥8♦K♥ board and Shamurzaev was sent to the rail.

At the same time at another table, Alain Hajj and Mikhail Zavoloka built a pot of around 400,000 with the board showing 3♦Q♦4♥3♥J♦. Hajj then bet 40,000, Zavoloka moved all in, and Hajj called for around 220,000.

Zavoloka showed K♦2♦ for a flush and Hajj mucked Q♠9♦ on his way to the rail.

Tags: Alain Hajj Joseph Mouwad Mikhail Zavoloka Tilekbek Shamurzaev

Mar 30, 2024

Achour Fires Three Barrels

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Ryan Lashmar

Level 19 : Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante

Maher Achour opened to 30,000 from early position and Giorgiy Skhulukhiya called from the cutoff.

The flop came A♥10♣8♣ and Achour fired a 20,000 continuation bet that was called by Skhulukhiya.

Achour bet again on the 8♠ turn, this time for 35,000. Skhulukhiya made the call.

On the 3♣ river Achour bet 55,000 and this time it was enough to force a fold from his opponent.

"Show one card?" Skhulukhiya asked after mucking.

"Can't" Achour replied while scooping the pot.

Tags: Giorgiy Skhulukhiya Maher Achour

Mar 30, 2024

Dukic Leaves Akiki on Fumes

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David Salituro

Level 19 : Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante

Nenad Dukic raised to 40,000 in early position before Gabriel Akiki three-bet to 105,000 in the cutoff. Dukic four-bet to 180,000, Akiki moved all in, and Dukic called for 528,000.

Nenad Dukic: Q♠Q♥ All in
Gabriel Akiki: 10♥10♦

"Ten, ten." Akiki began chanting as he stood up from his seat, but none arrived on the 4♥5♥A♦2♥J♠ board and Dukic doubled up to leave Akiki on a severe short stack.

Tags: Gabriel Akiki Nenad Dukic

Mar 30, 2024

Andrian Puts Kirichenko to the Test

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Ryan Lashmar

Level 19 : Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante

After a flurry of preflop raises Aleksandr Kirichenko had 390,000 in front of him from middle position and was faced with a shove from Simone Andrian in the small blind for approximately 950,000.

Kirichenko ultimately decided to fold and Andrian took down a sizable preflop pot.

Tags: Aleksandr Kirichenko Simone Andrian

Mar 30, 2024

Updated Chip Counts

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David Salituro

Level 19 : Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante

Mar 30, 2024

Kaukua Passes Two Million as Papapetrou Hits the Rail

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Ryan Lashmar

Level 19 : Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante

In a preflop confrontation Yiannakis Papapetrou was all in for roughly 100,000 and up against Toni Kaukua who covered him.

Yiannakis Papapetrou: K♠Q♣
Toni Kaukua: A♣Q♥

Papapetrou was in rough shape with a dominated queen and couldn't catch up on the 3♣9♦10♠10♥Q♦ runout resulting in his elimination while Kaukua scooped the pot and surpassed two million chips in the process.