$2,200 Warm Up Day 1a | 2024 Merit Poker Western Series

01-15-2024 17:06 UTC+3

Gromov Wins a Monster to Bust Sahin

David Salituro

Level 4 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Ryan Plant raised to 2,500 in early position before Can Sahin three-bet to 11,000 in the hijack. Dmitry Gromov then four-bet to 35,000 in the small blind and only Sahin called.

The flop came 5♦5♠9♣ and Gromov led out for 45,000. Sahin then raised to 100,000, Gromov moved all in, and Sahin called for around 160,000 more.

Can Sahin: J♥J♦
Dmitry Gromov: A♣A♠

Gromov was ahead with his aces and poised to take a massive chip lead as the board ran out 7♦10♦, sending Sahin crashing to the rail as Gromov moved up past 600,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
Dmitry Gromov	650,000 510,000	510,000

Ryan Plant	90,000 40,000	40,000
Can Sahin	Busted

Tags: Can Sahin Dmitry Gromov Ryan Plant

01-15-2024 16:52 UTC+3

Tomazou Flipped to the Rail by Tantillo

David Salituro

Level 4 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Andreas Tomazou was in early position and got his last 40,000 in the middle against small blind Fausto Tantillo.

Andreas Tomazou: A♥Q♥
Fausto Tantillo: 10♣10♥

The board ran out 2♣2♠K♦6♣J♣ and Tomazou couldn't improve against Tantillo's pair of tens. He stopped to confirm Tantillo had him covered before heading off for the exit.

Giorgiy Skhulukhiya was also recently eliminated.

Player	Chips	Progress
Fausto Tantillo	100,000 10,000	10,000
Andreas Tomazou	Busted
Giorgiy Skhulukhiya	Busted

Tags: Andreas Tomazou Fausto Tantillo Giorgiy Skhulukhiya

01-15-2024 16:41 UTC+3

Wang Gets Some Back, Wins a Race on Eid

David Salituro

Level 4 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Kristian Eid got his last 40,000 in the middle from the hijack and was up against Jing Wang in the small blind.

Kristian Eid: J♥J♠
Jing Wang: A♠K♣

The two players were racing as the flop came K♥4♦2♠, moving Wang into the lead with a pair of kings. The board ran out 6♠K♦ and Wang improved to trips to send Eid to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jing Wang	150,000 40,000	40,000
Kristian Eid	Busted

Tags: Jing Wang Kristian Eid

01-15-2024 14:49 UTC+3

Kaukua Stays Active, Takes Out Akbas

David Salituro

Level 2 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Halil Akbas raised to 2,000, Toni Kaukua three-bet to 12,000 in the small blind, and Akbas called.

The flop came 10♦Q♥2♣ and Kaukua led out for 7,000. Akbas called to the 9♦ turn, where Kaukua bet another 15,000.

Akbas again called and the 6♥ fell on the river. Kaukua then bet 55,000 to put Akbas all in. Akbas tanked for a minute before calling as Kaukua showed K♠J♥ for a turned straight. Akbas' cards went into the muck as he headed off to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
Toni Kaukua	240,000 80,000	80,000
Halil Akbas	Busted

Tags: Halil Akbas Toni Kaukua

01-15-2024 13:44 UTC+3

Di Nicola Runs Into Akmert's Kings

David Salituro

Level 1 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

Ermanno Di Nicola, let on an extreme short stack after doubling up Toni Kaukua earlier this level, stuck in his last 2,000 from the button and was up against Erdem Akmert in the cutoff.

Ermanno Di Nicola: A♥9♦
Erdem Akmert: K♦K♣

Di Nicola was looking for an ace but found no help on the 2♠9♠7♥7♣J♠ board as Akmert's kings sent the recent WSOP bracelet winner to the rail as the first bustout of the tournament.

Player	Chips	Progress
Erdem Akmert	90,000 90,000	90,000
Ermanno Di Nicola	Busted

Tags: Erdem Akmert Ermanno Di Nicola