Level: 10
Blinds: 1,000/2,000
Ante: 2,000
2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series
$2,200 Warm Up
Day: 1bc
Event Info
2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 1bc
Buy-in
$2,200
Prize Pool
$1,188,640
Entries
646
Level
37
Blinds
400,000 / 800,000
Ante
800,000
Entries
251
Players Left
136
Players Left 1 / 646
Filter
Level 9
: Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Don’t miss any of the exciting poker action at Merit this spring, as both the Merit Millions and Mediterranean Poker Party are on the way.
The special Merit Millions series will run from April 7-15, with a buy-in of $10,400 over four starting flights. The champion in the MIllions event will earn $1,000,000, with the rest of the prize pool distributed between players at the final table.
The Mediterranean Poker Party (MPP) returns to Merit from May 3-13, bringing with it more than $10 million in guaranteed prize pools, including a monster-sized $5,300 buy-in, $5 million guaranteed MPP Main Event.
Featuring four flights, the MPP Main Event runs from May 8-12 and could see the champion reel in a million-dollar score. In 2024, some 1,260 entries resulted in a $6,048,000 prize pool, much more than the advertised $5 million guarantee.
Satellites have already started running on GGPoker, so don't miss out and win your way to Merit this spring!
Level 9
: Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Bogdan Jontulovic hasn't been able to get much going today and just lost a pot to his table neighbour Danut Chisu.
Jontulovic had opened from under the gun and Chisu defended from the big blind to see a flop of J♥2♣K♦, where Chisu check-called a bet of 5,000 from Jontulovic.
A 6♠ dropped on the turn and after Chisu checked, Jontulovic reached for chips and bet 13,000. Chisu immediately called to see the 7♥ complete the board. Chisu checked, and Jontulovic knuckled back then mucked when Chisu showed a pair of kings with K♥3♠.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
125,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
90,000 |
Level 9
: Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Dmitry Gromov started the day off with a bang but his stack slowly dwindled throughout the following levels. However, a late surge has pushed the Russian player back up the counts and he has around 140,000 after just taking down a pot.
A player in the cutoff opened to 4,000 and Gromov made it 11,000 from the small blind. The cutoff called and they went to a flop of J♥J♦8♣, where Gromov's 8,000-chip continuation-bet was called.
A Q♥ on the turn drew another bet out of Gromov, this time for 18,000, which was enough to earn him the pot as the cutoff folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
140,000
60,000
|
60,000 |
|
||
Level 9
: Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
400,000
400,000
|
400,000 |
|
||
|
400,000
160,000
|
160,000 |
|
350,000
80,000
|
80,000 |
|
325,000
325,000
|
325,000 |
|
325,000
45,000
|
45,000 |
|
300,000
60,000
|
60,000 |
|
300,000
250,000
|
250,000 |
|
300,000
50,000
|
50,000 |
|
225,000
55,000
|
55,000 |
Level: 9
Blinds: 1,000/2,000
Ante: 2,000
Level 8
: Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante
Players are heading on a final 10-minute break.
When they return, two more levels will be played before the survivors bag up for the evening.
Level 8
: Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante
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Level 8
: Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante
Alexandras Rusinovas has clawed his way back to the starting stack of 100,000 after a little help from pocket kings.
A short-stacked player had committed his stack of around 30,000 with 6♥6♠ and Rusinovas made the call with K♥K♠.
Nothing changed after the Q♥9♠A♥4♥10♠ runout, and Rusinovas added some much-needed chips to his stack.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
100,000 |
Level 8
: Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante
With the $2,200 Warm Up continuing to build toward historic numbers at the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series, the star power on Day 1b is undeniable. Among those taking their shot at another deep run are four players who have already etched their names in Merit Poker history, capturing major titles on these very tables.
Elie Farah Looks to Defend His Carmen Series Legacy
Included in the field is Elie Farah, who claimed the 2024 Carmen Series Main Event title just last year, securing an impressive $338,500 payday. Farah’s victory was a defining moment in his career, overcoming a strong field and proving he has what it takes to close out big events. Now, he returns to the same festival looking to add another trophy to his collection, this time in the Warm Up. With his past success and deep tournament experience, Farah is a serious threat to make another run here at Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino.
Nikolay Fal, Andrey Pateychuk, and Zhen Chen Bring Championship Pedigree
Farah isn’t the only former Merit Poker champion in the mix. Nikolay Fal made headlines back in 2022, when he took down the Western Series Main Event, earning a career-best $326,153. His ability to navigate large fields and close out major tournaments makes him a formidable presence in today’s flight.
Meanwhile, Andrey Pateychuk is another name that poker fans will recognize. The Russian pro has a resume filled with deep runs and big scores, including his 2014 Merit Poker Winterfest Main Event victory, where he secured $145,472. With over a decade of experience battling in high-stakes events, Pateychuk’s presence adds even more prestige to the Day 1b lineup.
Rounding out this group of champions is Zhen Chen, who recently claimed victory in the 2024 Gatsby Gala High Roller, taking home $132,300. Winning a high roller event at Merit Poker is no small feat, and Chen’s ability to compete at the highest level makes him one to watch as the Warm Up field continues to grow.
