IPO Master Deals In the Start of the Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series
The 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series soon gets underway at the stunning Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino, ushering in another sun-soaked festival of poker on the shores of the Mediterranean. Combining world-class tournament action with luxury resort living, the series once again invites players to embrace the “sweet life” over the thirteen-day festival.
In a place where palm trees sway in the coastal breeze and time feels like it slows down, the only thing moving fast is the action at the tables. With daily events, high-stakes clashes, and a laid-back yet electric atmosphere, the Dolce Vita Series embodies everything that makes poker in North Cyprus so special.
Kicking off the schedule is the $2,200 IPO Master, a revamped version of last year’s $1,100 opener that drew 937 entries. That tournament was dominated by Danesh Zargaran, who bulldozed through the final day to earn $146,600 and secure a breakthrough win. Now with double the buy-in, a slower structure, and heightened anticipation, the stage is set for another memorable run to the title.
2024 $1,100 IPO Master Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danesh Zargaran | Iran | $146,600 |
| 2 | Candido Cappiello | Italy | $108,000 |
| 3 | Houman Sahafi | Iran | $66,600 |
| 4 | Francesco Canzonieri | Italy | $49,200 |
| 5 | Mohamed Ameur Hammi | Tunisia | $36,700 |
| 6 | Harout Ghazarian | Lebanon | $29,750 |
| 7 | Amir Saeid | Iran | $24,600 |
| 8 | Svetoslav Nikolov | Bulgaria | $19,600 |
This year’s IPO Master features four Day 1 flights, each offering players a fresh opportunity to bag chips and secure a seat for Day 2, all of which play ten levels. Day 1a kicks off on July 28 at 12 p.m., with 40-minute blind levels and a generous 100,000 starting stack (110,000 if registered and seated before the start of play). Day 1b and 1c follow on July 29, with 1c offering a faster-paced 25-minute structure in the evening. The final turbo flight, Day 1d, gets underway on the morning of July 30 with 13-minute levels for those seeking one last shot at survival.
Late registration stays open until the end of Level 15, which will occur around halfway through Day 2, giving players plenty of flexibility to join the field. From there, the tournament shifts gears, with deeper 60-minute levels on Days 3 and 4 as the chase for the title heats up.
IPO Master Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 28 | Day 1a | 12 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| July 29 | Day 1b | 12 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| July 29 | Day 1c | 9 p.m. | 25 minutes |
| July 30 | Day 1d | 10 a.m. | 13 minutes |
| July 30 | Day 2 | 12:30 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| July 31 | Day 3 | 12 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| August 1 | Day 4 | 12 p.m. | 60 minutes |
Stay locked in with PokerNews for exclusive live updates, chip counts, and all the key moments from the floor throughout the entire series.