Mahmut Sanli Leads Final 15 into IPO Master Finale
The $2,200 IPO Master at the 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series is one step closer to crowning a champion, with only 15 players remaining after an action-packed Day 3 at the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. From a massive starting field of 730 entries, the journey toward the $225,000 top prize is now entering its most critical stage.
Mahmut Sanli finished the day as the clear frontrunner after bagging 9,025,000, putting himself in prime position for a run at the title. He is followed closely by Mohamed El-Wely (7,675,000) and Adem Agoudjil (7,575,000), while Joan Crespi (7,200,000) and Gerard Carbo Santamaria (6,525,000) round out a stacked top five that has plenty of experience and firepower heading into the final day.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mahmut Sanli | Turkey | 9,025,000 | 72 |
| 2 | Mohamed El-Wely | Mauritania | 7,675,000 | 62 |
| 3 | Adem Agoudjil | France | 7,575,000 | 61 |
| 4 | Joan Crespi | Spain | 7,200,000 | 59 |
| 5 | Gerard Carbo Santamaria | Spain | 6,525,000 | 53 |
| 6 | Xiaosheng Zheng | China | 6,425,000 | 51 |
| 7 | Khalil Jabra | Lebanon | 6,225,000 | 50 |
| 8 | David Boyaciyan | Netherlands | 4,275,000 | 35 |
| 9 | Bahattin Eser | France | 3,925,000 | 32 |
| 10 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 3,850,000 | 31 |
The remaining contenders are a mix of familiar Merit regulars and international challengers, including Xiaosheng Zheng (6,425,000), Khalil Jabra (6,225,000), and Dutch pro David Boyaciyan (4,275,000). Soraya Estrada is the short stack returning with 600,000, but with blinds climbing and the pressure mounting, a single double-up could bring her right back into contention.
All 15 remaining players have locked up $14,500, but the payouts climb quickly from here. Reaching the final table guarantees $23,500, while a spot in the top three is worth at least $100,600. The eventual champion will walk away with $225,000 and the prestigious IPO Master title, with $150,000 set aside for the runner-up and $74,000 awaiting the fourth-place finisher.
Remaining Payouts
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $225,000 |
| 2 | $150,000 |
| 3 | $100,600 |
| 4 | $74,000 |
| 5 | $58,000 |
| 6 | $45,500 |
| 7 | $36,500 |
| 8 | $29,500 |
| 9 | $23,500 |
| 10-12 | $18,500 |
| 13-15 | $14,500 |
Play will resume in Level 29 with blinds at 50,000/125,000 and a 125,000 big blind ante, putting plenty of pressure on the shorter stacks. With 15 players left, the average stack sits just under 4,900,000, giving the deeper stacks ample room to maneuver while the short stacks face some critical all-in spots.
Follow along with PokerNews for live chip counts, key hands, and all the action as the IPO Master moves toward its final table and a $225,000 first prize.