$3,300 Main Event Day 1a | 2024 Merit Poker Western Series

Jan 20, 2024

Peluso Shoves on Haloon

David Salituro

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Four players saw a flop of J♦6♥4♣ as action checked to Carmel Haloon on the button who bet 7,000. Fabio Peluso called in the small blind, while Candido Cappiello and Aylar Lie folded.

The turn was the K♦ and Haloon continued for 13,000. Peluso lifted up his sunglasses and took a good look at Haloon's stack before he put in a raise to 40,000.

Haloon called and the 3♣ fell on the river. Peluso then moved all in and Haloon, with around 60,000 remaining, snap-folded.

Tags: Aylar Lie Candido Cappiello Fabio Peluso Carmel Haloon

Jan 20, 2024

Joumaa Doubles Off Sipavicius Again

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

David Salituro

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Soon after his fortuitous double up, Bakhos Joumaa tangled in another pot against Aurelijus Sipavicius where Sipavicius bet 5,000 from the big blind on a flop of 4♣K♥5♥.

Joumaa then moved all in for around 50,000 and Sipavicius tanked for a moment before calling.

Bakhos Joumaa: A♦4♠
Aurelijus Sipavicius: 8♥4♥

Both players had a pair of fours and Joumaa stood up from his seat as he needed to dodge Sipavicius' flush draw. The 10♣ turn was safe, as was the 2♦ river and Joumaa began a little dance as he doubled up yet again.

"Thank you, man. You're my favorite," he told Sipavicius as he sat back down.

Tags: Aurelijus Sipavicius Bakhos Joumaa

Jan 20, 2024

Joumaa Survives on the River

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

David Salituro

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Bakhos Joumaa was all in for 20,500 from middle position and up against Aurelijus Sipavicius under the gun.

Bakhos Joumaa: A♦K♥
Aurelijus Sipavicius: K♣Q♦

The Q♥7♠7♦ flop gave Sipavicius two pair and Joumaa tapped the felt in acknowledgement. Joumaa tapped the table again following the J♥ turn as he was one card away from elimination, but he caught the A♠ on the river.

Joumaa then raised his arm in the air in celebration as Sipavicius flashed him a thumbs up before handing over the pot.

Tags: Aurelijus Sipavicius Bakhos Joumaa

Jan 20, 2024

Korliakov Scoops a Massive Three-Way All In

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

David Salituro

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Stanislav Tishkevich was making his exit from the tournament and stopped to relate the massive pot that sent him and Sakis Adrianapoulos to the rail.

According to Tishkevich, he three-bet to 15,000 in early position and Adrianapoulos called in middle position. Ilia Korliakov then moved all in from the cutoff for around 150,000 and both Tishkevich and Adrianapoulos called with smaller stacks, creating a pot worth nearly 450,000.

Stanislav Tishkevich: K♣K♠
Sakis Adrianapoulos: Q♠Q♥
Ilia Korliakov: A♠A♥

Tishkevich and Adrianapoulos had both run into Korliakov's aces as the board ran out 4♦J♥8♥9♦7♥, sending the pile of chips over to Korliakov and moving the Russian up amongst the chip leaders.

Tags: Ilia Korliakov Sakis Adrianapoulos Stanislav Tishkevich

Jan 20, 2024

Tashliyev Bets His Aces All Three Streets

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

David Salituro

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Heads-up on a flop of 4♥7♦Q♥, Ildar Tashliyev bet 15,000 from the cutoff and Alisa Sibgatova called in early position.

The turn was the J♥ and Tashliyev continued for 11,000. Sibgatova again called and the 10♠ fell on the river.

Tashliyev then bet 26,000 and Sibgatova called once more as Tashliyev turned over A♥A♠. Sibgatova flashed him a smile as she mucked her hand.

Tags: Alisa Sibgatova Ildar Tashliyev

Jan 20, 2024

Chilaud Rivers the Nuts on Aydemir

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

David Salituro

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Recep Aydemir bet 15,000 from middle position on a board of 2♦3♠6♠9♥ and Maxime Chilaud called under the gun.

The river was the 2♠ and Chilaud checked to Aydemir who moved all in. Chilaud couldn't call fast enough, sticking in his last 77,500 and turning over A♠K♠ for the nut flush.

"No," Aydemir groaned as he handed over the double up.

Tags: Maxime Chilaud Recep Aydemir

Jan 20, 2024

Habib Building Big Stack After Taking Out Doe

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

David Salituro

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Heads-up on a flop of K♠2♣10♥, John Doe F put in his last 40,000 from the cutoff and Michel Habib snap-called in the hijack.

John Doe F: K♣9♣
Michel Habib: 2♥2♠

Doe turned over top pair, but Habib showed him the bad news when he flipped over a set of deuces. The board ran out J♥3♥ and Habib scored the knockout to climb up to 400,000.

Tags: John Doe F Michel Habib

Level: 7

Blinds: 1,000/1,500

Ante: 1,500

Jan 20, 2024