Players Look to Catch Hassan Nashar as IPO Master Day 1b Begins at Noon
The 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series is in full swing at the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino, where players from around the world have gathered to chase big prizes in one of the most picturesque poker settings on the planet. With sun, sea, and high-stakes action on the menu, the series continues to deliver the perfect blend of competition and relaxation on the shores of North Cyprus.
After a strong turnout on Day 1a, where 228 entries were recorded, well ahead of last year’s opening flight of 169, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. Players are responding to the upgraded format and the $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool, with each flight drawing a deep and diverse field of players.
Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hassan Nashar | Guinea-Bissau | 699,500 | 280 |
| 2 | Afshin Afsharorumieh | Iran | 670,000 | 268 |
| 3 | Michael Iakovlev | Russia | 540,000 | 216 |
| 4 | Imad Saab | Lebanon | 527,000 | 211 |
| 5 | Samuel Dray | France | 521,000 | 208 |
| 6 | Gerard Carbo Santamaria | Spain | 506,000 | 202 |
| 7 | Uladzimir Zhyharau | Belarus | 505,000 | 202 |
| 8 | Maxime Chilaud | France | 480,000 | 192 |
| 9 | Soraya Estrada | Spain | 476,500 | 191 |
| 10 | Felipe Ketzer | Brazil | 470,000 | 188 |
The man to catch so far is Hassan Nashar, who bagged an event-leading 699,500 at the end of Day 1a, followed closely by Afshin Afsharorumieh and Michael Iakovlev. With three flights still to come and late registration open until Level 15 on Day 2, the field is expected to grow rapidly as the tournament heads toward its deeper stages.
Day 1b offers the same structure as 1a, ten levels of 40 minutes, a 100,000 starting stack (110,000 for early registrants), and one more shot for players to secure a bag before the pace picks up later tonight in the turbo-style Day 1c. It’s another opportunity to build toward Day 2 and get one step closer to the first major title of the series.
IPO Master Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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