Ludovic Geilich Among Leaders as Warm Up Day 1a Sets New Attendance Record
The 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series is off to a record-breaking start, as the $2,200 Warm Up event saw its largest-ever Day 1a in Merit Poker Classic history inside the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. A staggering 221 entries filled the opening flight, shattering the previous Day 1a record of 125 entries set in the 2023 Carmen Series Warm Up. This overwhelming turnout marks a significant milestone for the festival, reinforcing its growing reputation as one of the most anticipated stops on the poker calendar.
At the end of an action-packed opening day, it was Giorgiy Skhulukhiya who emerged as the standout performer, bagging a massive 627,000-chip stack to claim the overall chip lead. The accomplished Georgian pro showcased his skill and experience, maneuvering through the record-breaking field with precision. With a commanding stack heading into Day 2, Skhulukhiya is well-positioned for a deep run as the Warm Up continues to build momentum.
Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giorgiy Skhulukhiya | Georgia | 627,000 |
| 2 | Ludovic Geilich | Scotland | 613,000 |
| 3 | Alexey Savenkov | Russia | 524,000 |
| 4 | Adem Marjanovic | Austria | 502,000 |
| 5 | Humberto Galindo | Spain | 475,000 |
| 6 | Iurii Grigorev | Russia | 439,500 |
| 7 | Farbod Nazari | Iran | 436,000 |
| 8 | Aytekin Yayla | North Cyprus | 432,500 |
| 9 | Banksy | United Kingdom | 430,000 |
| 10 | Haghgou Seyedahmad | Iran | 412,500 |
Right behind Skhulukhiya on the leaderboard is Ludovic Geilich, who closed out Day 1a with an impressive 613,000 chips, securing the second-largest stack of the flight. The Scottish high-stakes pro, known for his aggressive and creative playing style, was a dominant force throughout the day, consistently applying pressure to his opponents.
Geilich is no stranger to success in Cyprus, having previously won the $10,400 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller at the EAPT Grand Final/Mediterranean Poker Party last year, where he took home $148,800. With a deep stack and a proven track record in Merit Poker events, Geilich will be a serious contender as the Warm Up heads into the later stages.
Alexey Savenkov (524,000) rounds out the top three stacks, with Adem Marjanovic (502,000), Iuriii Grigorev (430,500), and Haghgou Seyedahmad (412,500) all making it into the top ten.
Remaining Warm Up Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 14 | Day 1b | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 14 | Day 1c | 9:00 p.m. | 25 minutes |
| March 15 | Day 1d | 10:00 a.m. | 15 minutes |
| March 15 | Day 2 | 12:30 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 16 | Day 3 | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 17 | Day 4 | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
With multiple starting flights still to come, players have plenty of chances to jump into the action and build a stack for Day 2. The blind structures vary across flights, allowing competitors to choose their preferred format before the field consolidates for a deep run. As the tournament progresses, the stakes will rise, and the competition will become even fiercer as players vie for a spot in the final stages.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates, chip counts, and all the key hands as the Warm Up unfolds. With a stacked field and big prizes on the line, you won’t want to miss a moment of the action!