$2,200 Warm Up Day 1a | 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series

03-13-2025 22:26 UTC+3

Ludovic Geilich Among Leaders as Warm Up Day 1a Sets New Attendance Record

Kai Cocklin

Level 10 : Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante

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!

Tags: Adem Marjanovic Alexey Savenkov Aytekin Yayla Farbod Nazari Giorgiy Skhulukhiya Haghgou Seyedahmad Humberto Galindo Iurii Grigorev Ludovic Geilich

03-13-2025 18:25 UTC+3

Xu Pays Off a Big River Bet From Tomescu

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

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

On a board of 2♦K♠3♦6♠, there were around 30,000 chips in the middle when Michel Molenaar checked from the big blind and Yuan Xu followed suit from under the gun. George Tomescu was sitting in the hijack and made it 17,500, which both Molenaar and Xu called.

A 2♣ paired the board on the river and again the action was checked to Tomescu, who then reached for chips and fired out a chunky bet of 120,000. Molenaar looked at his cards and folded, then Xu asked for a count. With just over 150,000 remaining in his stack, Xu mulled it over for a short while before he flicked in the call.

Tomescu then revealed a full house with 3♠3♥, and Xu was quick to return his cards face down to the dealer.

Player	Chips	Progress
George Tomescu	330,000 330,000	330,000
Michel Molenaar	72,000 72,000	72,000
Yuan Xu	35,000 75,000	75,000

Tags: George Tomescu Michel Molenaar Yuan Xu

03-13-2025 17:14 UTC+3

Eminoglu Misses the Chance to Scoop a Big Pot Against Altinbasak

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 6 : Blinds 800/1,500, 1,500 ante

Yucel Eminoglu is not a happy bunny after missing out on a pot worth over 200,000 after an unfortunate runout.

There had been a raise to 3,500 from the hijack and Kadir Altinbasak called called from the cutoff before Eminoglu made it 27,000 from the small blind. The initial raiser quickly folded, then Altinbasak said call and put in 7,000.

"It's 27,000," remarked Eminoglu. "You can fold and leave the 7,000 in there if you like, I know you didn't want to call," he added. Despite that, Altinbasak did call.

The flop came 3♦3♥9♦ and Eminoglu fired out 16,000. Almost immediately, Altinbasak shoved for around 80,000, which prompted Eminoglu to ask for a count. After getting the information he needed, Eminoglu called.

Kadir Altinbasak: A♠10♦ All in
Yucel Eminoglu: A♣K♠

Altinbasak was drawing slim, but managed to find a 9♣ on the turn to give both players two pair with an ace-kicker. The 2♥ on the river changed nothing, and the dup chopped up the pot.

"You play good," said Eminoglu. "You thought it was seven but called anyway," he added.

Despite not winning the pot, no damage was done to Eminoglu's stack and the two continued to discuss the hand as the next was being dealt.

Player	Chips	Progress
Yucel Eminoglu	140,000 60,000	60,000
Kadir Altinbasak	110,000 110,000	110,000

Tags: Kadir Altinbasak Yucel Eminoglu

03-13-2025 16:55 UTC+3

Warm Up Day 1a Hits 200 Entries and Climbing

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 6 : Blinds 800/1,500, 1,500 ante

With five levels in the books, the entry counter for Day 1a of the Warm Up has just hit 200—a massive turnout to kick off the series!

With the day coming to its conclusion at the end of Level 10, there’s still plenty of time for that number to climb even higher.

03-13-2025 16:41 UTC+3

Tirca Scoops a Big Pot and Dispatches Sood

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 5 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

A huge pot just went Tiberiu Tirca's way, which boosted his stack to around a quarter of a million.

Tirca opened from middle position to 2,500 and Arun Sood called from the next seat. Rui Querido Martins then squeezed to 10,000 on the button and got a call from the big blind. Both Tirca and Sood also came along.

The flop came down 3♠5♦6♠ where the action checked to Sood, who fired out 20,000. Martins called, the big blind folded, then Tirca shoved for around 90,000. Sood snap-called with a slightly smaller stack and then waved his hand to usher Martins out of the pot, who eventually obliged and showed J♦J♠ when he folded.

Arun Sood: 6♣3♣ All in
Tiberiu Tirca: 3♥3♦

Sood couldn't believe it when he saw that he only had two outs, and was screaming for a six to come. Instead, the 4♦ dropped on the turn, which put an open-ended straight draw on board. However, despite the extra outs, Sood couldn't survive as the 10♦ completed the board, keeping Tirca's flopped set in the lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tiberiu Tirca	250,000 250,000	250,000
Rui Querido Martins	110,000 110,000	110,000
Arun Sood	Busted

Tags: Arun Sood Rui Querido Martins Tiberiu Tirca

03-13-2025 15:09 UTC+3

Abrahamsson & Raffoul Get Banksy Out

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 3 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

A rough two hands saw Banksy's stack plummet to zero as both Daniel Abrahamsson and Edgard Raffoul benefitted.

First, Banksy made it 2,000 to go on the button and then called the 10,000-chip three-bet from Abrahamsson, who was in the big blind.

On the 8♣8♠J♥ flop, Banksy called a bet of 5,500 from Abrahamsson and both watched the 3♦ peel off on the turn. Again Abrahamsson bet, this time for 14,500, which again Banksy called.

Both then knuckled the table on the 10♦ river, and Abrahamsson's 10♠9♠ was good for the pot with a rivered pair of tens.

Shortly after, Banksy had his remaining stack of just under 30,000 in the middle and was put at risk by Edgard Raffoul.

Banksy: Q♠Q♦
Edgard Raffoul: A♦K♠

The pocket queens looked good for a double-up on the 10♠10♥2♥4♠ board, but the A♥ on the river gave Raffoul a pair of aces and left Banksy out of chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
Daniel Abrahamsson	270,000 270,000	270,000
Edgard Raffoul	115,000 115,000	115,000
Banksy	Busted

Tags: Daniel Abrahamsson Edgard Raffoul

03-13-2025 14:09 UTC+3

Rodin Inflicts More Damage on Guven

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 2 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

Daniel Kraus made it 1,200 from middle position and Nerses Sargsian called in the hijack. Ege Guven called in the cutoff before Grigorii Rodin bumped it up to 12,000 from the big blind. Kraus and Sargsian folded, and Guven called.

On the 4♦4♠10♦ flop, Rodin put out a continuation-bet of 6,400, which Guven called to see the J♠ roll off on the turn. Without much hesitation, Rodin shoved 80,000 into the middle, and after a short time deliberating, Guven folded with around 40,000 behind.

Rodin finished seventh in the Warm Up at the 2025 Western Series, and will be looking to use that momentum to make another deep run here.

Player	Chips	Progress
Grigorii Rodin	120,000 20,000	20,000
Ege Guven	40,000 20,000	20,000

Tags: Daniel Kraus Ege Guven Grigorii Rodin Nerses Sargsian

03-13-2025 09:47 UTC+3

The 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series Ignites with a $1,000,000 Guaranteed Warm Up

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

The story of Carmen is one of passion, fate, and relentless pursuit—fitting themes as the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series gets underway. Back on the shores of North Cyprus in the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino, a new chapter begins, bringing together some of the game’s fiercest competitors in pursuit of poker glory.

Just as Don José was drawn into Carmen’s fiery world, players from across the globe have been lured to this high-stakes arena, where ambition burns as fiercely as the Mediterranean sun. Here, fortunes can change in a heartbeat, and every decision—like a fateful twist in Bizet’s opera—can lead to triumph or heartbreak. As the cards hit the felt and the battle begins, only the most fearless will seize their moment and etch their names into Merit Poker history.

The 2024 series saw standout performances across its biggest events. In the Main Event, Elie Farah emerged victorious after navigating a stacked field of 664 entries, walking away with a career-best $338,500 and the prestigious Merit Poker trophy. Jakub Michalak showcased his high-stakes expertise in the $5,300 High Roller, overcoming 145 entrants to secure $174,500. Meanwhile, Simeon Spasov dominated the Merit Poker Cup, topping a field of 459 to claim $167,100. With last year’s champions setting the standard, the stage is set for a new wave of players to make their mark.

2024 Carmen Series Main Event Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize (USD)
1	Elie Farah	Lebanon	$338,500
2	Felipe Ketzer	Brazil	$249,200
3	Dinesh Alt	Switzerland	$153,000
4	Bart Lybaert	Belgium	$113,100
5	Dmitry Gromov	Russian Federation	$84,700
6	Tahsin Cankurtaranli	Turkey	$68,400
7	Andrey Litvinov	Russian Federation	$56,600
8	Maher Achour	Tunisia	$45,100
9	Danut Chisu	Romania	$33,900

Today, the festival kicks off with the $2,200 Warm Up, a tournament that promises intense action with its $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool. Players will start with 100,000 chips, looking to navigate their way through the early stages and build momentum for the deeper rounds of the event.

This year's Warm Up features the usual four opening flights, giving players multiple opportunities to secure a seat for Day 2. The action begins with Day 1a on March 13 at 12:00 p.m., where players will compete in 40-minute blind levels. Day 1b follows on March 14 at 12:00 p.m., also featuring 40-minute levels, while Day 1c offers a faster-paced alternative later that evening at 9:00 p.m., with 25-minute levels. The final turbo flight, Day 1d, kicks off on March 15 at 10:00 a.m., where blind levels will last just 15 minutes.

Warm Up Schedule

Date	Day	Time	Blind Levels
March 13	Day 1a	12:00 p.m.	40 minutes
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

Surviving players will advance to Day 2 on March 15 at 12:30 p.m., where 40-minute levels resume. Late registration remains open until the end of Level 15 on Day 2, allowing players a final chance to enter the field before the tournament moves into its later stages. The event will then play down to a champion over the following days, with Day 3 on March 16 and the final Day 4 on March 17, both beginning at 12:00 p.m. and maintaining the 40-minute blind level structure.

With the Mediterranean breeze in the air and poker’s elite ready to take their seats, the battle for the first title of the series begins. Will a new name rise to the occasion, or will past champions return to steal the spotlight? Stay tuned as PokerNews provides live updates from the first shuffle to the final river.