$2,200 IPO Master Day 1a | 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series

07-28-2025 08:59 UTC+2

IPO Master Deals In the Start of the Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series

Kai Cocklin

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.

Tags: Amir Saeid Candido Cappiello Danesh Zargaran Francesco Canzonieri Harout Ghazarian Houman Sahafi Mohamed Ameur Hammi Svetoslav Nikolov

07-28-2025 11:46 UTC+2

Cinca Gets Maximum Value With the Second Nuts

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 1 : Blinds 200/500, 500 ante

There were already 10,000 chips in the pot on a 4♠3♠9♦ flop when Ruslan Atnagulov checked from middle position and Alexandru Cinca fired 1,500 from the cutoff. Atnagulov then bumped it up to 10,000, and Cinca called.

A Q♠ on the turn saw Atnagulov fire for 10,000, which Cinca instantly called to the A♥ river. Atnagulov threw out 20,000, Cinca shoved for almost 85,000, and Atnagulov announced a call before even knowing the size of the shove.

Cinca then flipped K♠7♠ for a flush, which bested the 10♠9♠ of Atnagulov, who had a smaller flush.

Player	Chips	Progress
Alexandru Cinca	220,000 220,000	220,000
Ruslan Atnagulov	6,000 6,000	6,000

Tags: Alexandru Cinca Ruslan Atnagulov

07-28-2025 11:58 UTC+2

Kozin and Mukhamedzhanov Both Double

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 1 : Blinds 200/500, 500 ante

Andrei Kozin had his stack of around 137,000 in the middle from the button against a player in the middle position.

Andrei Kozin: K♠K♦ All in
Middle Position: 9♠9♥

Kozin had the cowboys and reduced his opponent to just one out on the 8♦A♦10♦ flop. A 10♠ on the turn brought back an out, but the J♠ river confirmed Kozin's double.

On the adjacent table at the same time, the board read 10♦2♠A♦9♥J♣, and Iliyas Mukhamedzhanov had fired the river only for Anton Arkhipenkov to shove his stack in. Mukhamedzhanov took some time to think it over and eventually tossed in a single chip to call.

Arkhipenkov showed a set with 2♦2♣, but that was no good as Mukhamedzhanov had a higher set holding A♣A♥ to win the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Andrei Kozin	276,000
Iliyas Mukhamedzhanov	250,000
Anton Arkhipenkov	Busted

Tags: Andrei Kozin Anton Arkhipenkov Iliyas Mukhamedzhanov

07-28-2025 13:00 UTC+2

Skhulukhiya Fresh Off a WSOP Main Event Deep Run

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 3 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

One of the more recognizable names in the Day 1a field is Giorgiy Skhulukhiya, who’s already enjoying a strong start with around 180,000 chips early in the day. The Georgian pro is no stranger to big stages and deep runs, and he's arrived in North Cyprus fresh off one of the best results of his career.

Skhulukhiya recently placed 63rd in the 2025 WSOP Main Event, outlasting almost 10,000 players in poker’s most prestigious tournament to earn $135,000. It was a standout performance that added to an already impressive poker resume, which includes multiple high roller titles and a reputation as one of the most aggressive and fearless players on the circuit.

Now back at Merit Poker, where he’s made several deep runs in the past, Skhulukhiya will be looking to ride that momentum into another strong showing as the $2,200 IPO Master gets underway. With plenty of chips and no shortage of confidence, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.

Player	Chips	Progress
Giorgiy Skhulukhiya	180,000 180,000	180,000

Tags: Giorgiy Skhulukhiya

07-28-2025 14:29 UTC+2

Vladimirov Picks Off Nashar

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

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

Hassan Nashar's stack had been going through an upswing, and he hit the 400,000-chip mark before encountering Denis Vladimirov.

Vladimirov had reraised to 30,000 preflop, which Nassar called to the J♣A♠9♥ flop. Nassar check-called a bet of 20,000 to the 8♠ turn, which checked through.

A 7♦ made the board a little scarier on the river and Nashar took some time before he threw out 80,000. Vladimirov went into the tank, but ultimately made the call.

As soon as Vladimirov's chips hit the pot, Nashar mucked his cards, and Vladimirov claimed the pot without showing.

Player	Chips	Progress
Denis Vladimirov	400,000
Hassan Nashar	200,000 100,000	100,000

Tags: Denis Vladimirov Hassan Nashar

07-28-2025 14:39 UTC+2

IPO Master Draws Big Numbers in Day 1a as Dolce Vita Series Opens

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

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

If early numbers are any indication, the Merit Poker brand continues to go from strength to strength. At the halfway mark of Level 5 on Day 1a of the $2,200 IPO Master, the field has already reached 193 entries, surpassing the total of 169 entries recorded on Day 1a of last year's edition, which featured a lower $1,100 buy-in.

This year’s tournament comes with a $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool, a clear statement of intent from a brand that has quickly become one of the most respected names in the region, if not the world. The steady growth highlights Merit Poker's rising reputation as the not-to-miss destination for international players.

With its luxury setting, professionally run events, and consistently strong turnouts, the brand has cultivated a loyal following and continues to attract a wider field of serious competitors with each passing series.

The increased buy-in hasn’t slowed interest. If anything, it has elevated it. Players are arriving earlier, registering faster, and treating the opening event of the 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series as more than just a warm-up. It’s clear that Merit’s tournaments aren’t just popular, they’re becoming essential stops on the poker calendar.

07-28-2025 15:04 UTC+2

Santamaria Scoops and Stacks Sadek

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

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

The action was picked up on a board of 6♣8♥9♠5♥ with around 25,000 in the middle. Esper Sadek had checked from the small blind, as did the big blind, then Gerard Carbo Santamaria fired 17,500 in the cutoff. Sadek then raised to 36,500, which got the big blind to fold.

Santamaria then made it 75,000 to go, Sadek four-bet shoved the flop for over 200,000, and Santamaria snap-called.

Esper Sadek: A♥7♠ All in
Gerard Carbo Santamaria: 10♦7♦

Sadek couldn't believe it and was drawing to a chop only, which didn't come as the K♥ filled out the board on the river. The stacks were counted down and Santamaria had more, which spelt the end for Sadek, at least for now.

Player	Chips	Progress
Gerard Carbo Santamaria	500,000 390,000	390,000
Esper Sadek	Busted

Tags: Esper Sadek Gerard Carbo Santamaria

07-28-2025 17:01 UTC+2

Afsharorumieh Stuns Bakir

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 8 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Odi Bakir limped in from under the gun and after a few more limps, Afshin Afsharorumieh bumped it up to 7,000 from the button. Bakir called, one limper folder, and the cutoff called.

On the A♦5♣8♣ flop, the action checked to Afsharorumieh, who fired out 5,000. Bakir quickly made it 20,000, the cutoff folded, and Afsharorumieh called.

A 2♠ on the turn saw Afsharorumieh call a bet of 20,000 from Bakir to the 5♥ river, where Bakir shoved 46,500. Afsharorumieh asked for a count and without much thinking, he called.

"King," said Bakir as he flipped over K♦10♥ for just king-high. Afsharorumieh had that beat as he rolled over 9♠9♣ for a pair of nines to scoop the pot and eliminate Bakir.

Bakir looked stunned and was glued to his chair for around 30 seconds after the hand was over digesting what just happened, before he eventually stood up and vacated the tournament area.

Player	Chips	Progress
Afshin Afsharorumieh	700,000 160,000	160,000
Odi Bakir	Busted

Tags: Afshin Afsharorumieh Odi

07-28-2025 18:10 UTC+2

Chernikov Sends Senoussi Packing

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

Level 9 : Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante

On a flop of J♠7♦4♦, Ibrahim Senoussi fired 9,000 from early position and picked up two callers in Aleksandr Chernikov in the cutoff and Mehmet Dalkilic on the button.

All three saw the 9♠ fall on the turn and after Senoussi checked, Chernikov bet 18,000. Dalkilic quickly folded, but Senoussi called.

An A♠ filled out the board and Senoussi tapped the table over to Chernikov, who fired out 35,000. Senoussi took around a minute before he shoved for around 130,000, and Chernikov snap-called.

Senoussi turned over A♥7♠ for two pair, then Chernikov slowly revealed 10♠8♥ for a straight to scoop the pot, which eliminated Senoussi.

Player	Chips	Progress
Aleksandr Chernikov	400,000 400,000	400,000
Mehmet Dalkilic	300,000 40,000	40,000
Ibrahim Senoussi	Busted

Tags: Aleksandr Chernikov Ibrahim Senoussi Mehmet Dalkilic

07-28-2025 19:49 UTC+2

Hassan Nashar Bags Big on Opening Day of $2,200 IPO Master

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Kai Cocklin

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

The 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series got off to a flying start as Day 1a of the $2,200 IPO Master drew 228 entries, comfortably surpassing the 169 recorded in last year’s opening flight. With a $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool and three more starting flights still to come, the momentum is already building toward another massive turnout in North Cyprus.

Leading the 99 survivors at the end of ten levels was Hassan Nashar, who bagged an impressive 699,500 in chips. Among the other big stacks and notables to find a bag were Afshin Afsharorumieh (670,000), Michael Iakovlev (540,000), and Imad Saab (527,000), all of whom finished with above-average stacks and plenty of room to maneuver on Day 2.

End of 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

Gerard Carbo Santamaria (506,000), Maxime Chilaud (480,000), Soraya Estrada (476,000), and Felipe Ketzer (470,000) also ended the day well ahead of the pack. Former EPT champion Andrey Pateychuk advanced with 268,000 and will be one to watch as the field continues to grow.

All survivors from Day 1a will return on July 30 for Day 2, where they’ll be joined by players from the remaining three flights. Day 1b kicks off tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. local time.

Stay locked in to PokerNews for exclusive updates, chip counts, and stories from the floor as the Dolce Vita Series continues.

Tags: Afshin Afsharorumieh Andrey Pateychuk Felipe Ketzer Gerard Carbo Santamaria Hassan Nashar Imad Saab Maxime Chilaud Michael Iakovlev Soraya Estrada