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

07-28-2025 18:19 UTC+2

Is Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi the Best Poker Player in the World? | PokerNews Podcast #909

Kai Cocklin

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

In the 909th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz wrap up coverage of the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) by highlighting Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, who not only won the 2025 WSOP Main Event for $10 million but was also snap-inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. It was a historic summer for The Grinder, and the crew gave him his just deserts.

They then talk about Shaun Deeb winning the WSOP Player of the Year for a second time, numbers from the summer, and late bracelet winners, including Andrew Ostapchenko, Daniel Zack, and Chad Eveslage. They also share final results from this year's 25K Fantasy Draft as well as the PokerNews Podcast draft involving Christina Gollins and Joey Ingram.

Meanwhile, news out of Las Vegas indicates poker chips can no longer be redeemed across competing properties, and there's a great high hand promotion at the Planet Hollywood Poker Room that players should know about. From there, it's over to the Venetian, including a big hand with Patrick Leonard from Venetian Poker Live, as well as Nico Betbese winning the WPT Venetian for $706K.

Finally, an update of all things PokerStars, including them parting ways with Barny Boatman, Silver Passes, Women's Summer Festival, and a look ahead to the EPT Barcelona.

A new PokerNews Podcast drops every week on Thursdays at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Click here to listen to the new PN Podcast!

07-28-2025 18:10 UTC+2

Chernikov Sends Senoussi Packing

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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 17:58 UTC+2

Sokolovsky Takes Himself to Value Town

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Kai Cocklin

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

With around 40,000 chips in the pot on a 8♦10♥9♦4♣2♥ board, Pedro Ingles checked from the big blind and Alexander Sokolovsky over-bet 60,000 from the big blind.

Ingles went into the tank for some time and even had the clock called on him as he was thinking for so long. During the 30-second countdown, Ingles called.

Sokolovsky flipped over two pair with 9♠8♥, but Ingles had a better two pair holding 10♠2♠ to scoop the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Pedro Ingles	270,000
Alexander Sokolovsky	60,000

Tags: Alexander Sokolovsky Pedro Ingles

07-28-2025 17:45 UTC+2

Selected Counts at the Final Break

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Kai Cocklin

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

Player	Chips	Progress
Afshin Afsharorumieh	710,000 10,000	10,000
Hassan Nashar	625,000 365,000	365,000

Gerard Carbo Santamaria	525,000 25,000	25,000
Uladzimir Zhyharau	470,000 110,000	110,000
Felipe Ketzer	440,000 440,000	440,000
Grzegorz Kozieja	400,000 40,000	40,000
Denis Vladimirov	400,000 50,000	50,000
Maher Achour	370,000 70,000	70,000
Tamer Abdelzaher	350,000 350,000	350,000
Cheng Zhao	310,000 310,000	310,000
Vadzim Lipauka	240,000 140,000	140,000
Soraya Estrada	145,000 60,000	60,000

Level: 9

Blinds: 1,000/2,000

Ante: 2,000

07-28-2025 17:25 UTC+2

Break Time

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Kai Cocklin

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

Players are heading on their last 20-minute break of the day.

When they return, two more 40-minute levels will be played before the survivors bag up.

07-28-2025 17:21 UTC+2

Don’t Miss the Onyx Super High Roller Series Cyprus

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Kai Cocklin

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

Big bucks and a seat in an upcoming $100,000 buy-in Triton Poker tournament are up for grabs in the inaugural Onyx Super High Roller Series Cyprus presented by the Onyx Club.

The series at Merit Royal Diamond runs from August 9-21 and features a mix of Pot-Limit Omaha and No-Limit Hold'em high-stakes tournaments, along with some juicy cash game action. PokerNews will be on-site, live reporting the six biggest events of the series, starting with the $10,400 GG Million$ from August 9-12.

There are 12 high-stakes tournaments, with buy-ins ranging from $10,400 to $102,000, all taking place inside a luxurious resort along the Mediterranean Sea.

Find Full Series Details Here

07-28-2025 17:11 UTC+2

Yuan Extracts Value From Dalkilic; Senoussi Bleeding

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Kai Cocklin

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

Mehmet Dalkilic opened from middle position to 3,000 and Yilu Yuan three-bet the hijack to 9,000. When it got back to Dalkilic, he called.

They saw a flop of 5♣J♦9♦, where Dalkilic check-callled a bet of 7,000 from Yuan to the 7♠ turn, where both checked.

A 4♦ completed the runout and again Dalkilic checked, then Yuan bet 15,000. Dalkilic called.

Yuan flipped A♠9♠ for a pair of nines, and Dalkilic mucked.

On the same table, Ibrahim Senoussi, who once had well over 400,000, is down to around 160,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
Yilu Yuan	310,000 190,000	190,000
Mehmet Dalkilic	260,000 50,000	50,000
Ibrahim Senoussi	160,000 150,000	150,000

Tags: Mehmet Dalkilic Yilu Yuan

07-28-2025 17:01 UTC+2

Afsharorumieh Stuns Bakir

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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 16:50 UTC+2

Flashback: 2024 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series Winners

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Kai Cocklin

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

With the return of the Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series, here is a look back at the champions from last summer at Merit Crystal Cove Hotel & Casino.