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

07-28-2025 13:55 UTC+2

Iakovlev Rivers Trips

Kai Cocklin

Level 4 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

On a full board of 8♥5♦J♠6♦5♠, there were around 15,000 chips in the pot when Michael Iakovlev checked from the big blind and the button fired 7,500 from the button.

Iakovlev then put in a raise to 25,000, which sent the button into the tank. Eventually, the clock was called and with just two seconds left, the button called.

Iakovlev then revealed trips with 10♥5♥, which was good for the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Iakovlev	240,000

Tags: Michael Iakovlev

07-28-2025 13:46 UTC+2

Selected Chip Counts at First Break

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Kai Cocklin

Level 4 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Grzegorz Kozieja	440,000 440,000	440,000
Ibrahim Senoussi	400,000 400,000	400,000
Afshin Afsharorumieh	375,000 375,000	375,000
Alexandru Cinca	280,000 60,000	60,000
Andrei Kozin	270,000 6,000	6,000
Andrii Novak	240,000 130,000	130,000
Esper Sadek	230,000 230,000	230,000
Dawid Kuliberda	230,000 230,000	230,000
Dmitry Kataev	220,000 110,000	110,000
Samir Hayek	210,000 210,000	210,000
Claudiu Burlacu	200,000 200,000	200,000
Andrey Pateychuk	75,000 35,000	35,000

Level: 4

Blinds: 500/1,000

Ante: 1,000

07-28-2025 13:25 UTC+2

Break Time

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Kai Cocklin

Level 3 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Players are taking a 20-minute break.

07-28-2025 13:21 UTC+2

Banksy Bets Bottom Pair

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Kai Cocklin

Level 3 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

On a 5♣9♣2♥ flop, Zaid Al-Khashab check-called a bet from the small blind after Banksy fired out 5,000 on the button.

Both checked the 7♦ turn to the A♣ river, where Al-Khashab checked and Banksy threw out 15,000. Within a few seconds, Al-Khashab called.

Banksy then tossed his 8♠2♦ into the middle for bottom pair, but Al-Khashab showed 9♠6♦ for a pair of nines to scoop the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Zaid Al-Khashab	200,000 30,000	30,000
Banksy	70,000 30,000	30,000

Tags: Zaid Al-Khashab

07-28-2025 13:12 UTC+2

Al-Khashab Check-Raises

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Kai Cocklin

Level 3 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Zaid Al-Khashab opened from under the gun to 1,800 and Bogdan Jontulovic called in the hijack. The cutoff then three-bet to 5,500, which both Al-Khashab and Jontulovic called.

On the 3♦Q♠A♠ flop, the action checked to the cutoff, who fired out 4,000. Al-Khashab then raised to 15,000, which earned him the pot as both of his opponents folded.

Player	Chips	Progress
Zaid Al-Khashab	170,000 170,000	170,000
Bogdan Jontulovic	23,000

Tags: Bogdan Jontulovic Zaid Al-Khashab

07-28-2025 13:00 UTC+2

Skhulukhiya Fresh Off a WSOP Main Event Deep Run

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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

Level: 3

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 800

07-28-2025 12:42 UTC+2

Lipauka Shows Queens, Banksy Reenters

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Kai Cocklin

Level 2 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

With around 25,000 in the pot on a 9♣6♠5♥6♥ board, Vadzim Lipauka fired out 13,500 from the big blind and Ali Soleimanian called on the button.

An 8♣ hit the river and Lipauka showed no signs of slowing down with a bet of 32,500. Soleimanian pondered for around 30 seconds and eventually put the chips in, then mucked when Lipauka showed Q♥Q♦.

Elsewhere, Banksy just dusted off a bullet, but is back in with a fresh stack of 100,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
Vadzim Lipauka	180,000 180,000	180,000
Banksy	100,000 100,000	100,000
Soraya Estrada	90,000 90,000	90,000
Ali Soleimanian	75,000 75,000	75,000

Tags: Ali Soleimanian Vadzim Lipauka

07-28-2025 12:30 UTC+2

Amani and Issa Clash Again

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Kai Cocklin

Level 2 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

Not long after Ezatulla Amani just doubled through Haydar Issa, the pair were clashing heads once again.

On a board of 8♥4♣K♣9♦, there were around 35,000 in the middle when Amani checked from early position and then called a bet of 25,000 from Issa, who was in the cutoff.

A J♥ hit the river and Amani shoved for 20,300, which Issa reluctantly called.

Amani showed K♠J♠ for two pair, and then demanded to see the cards of Issa, who had mucked. The dealer obliged as is standard in all-in pots, and revealed Issa's 10♠10♦.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ezatulla Amani	125,000 75,000	75,000
Haydar Issa	35,000 55,000	55,000

Tags: Ezatulla Amani Haydar Issa