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

Jul 29, 2025

Because One Chip Lead Isn't Enough

Kai Cocklin

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

Some players bag once and rest. Hassan Nashar is not one of those players.

After topping the Day 1a counts with 699,500, Nashar is back in the field for Day 1b of the IPO Master. He’s not chasing a payout or trying to survive, he just felt like playing again. And with around 450,000 in front of him already, it’s going pretty well.

Last year, Nashar finished Day 1b as the chip leader. This year, he’s already done that on Day 1a and might just be trying to outdo himself. If he ends the night with an even bigger stack, don’t be surprised. This is a man who clearly enjoys having options.

Tags: Hassan Nashar

Level: 8

Blinds: 1,000/1,500

Ante: 1,500

Jul 29, 2025

Flashback: Boris Kolev Dominates 2025 Merit Millions Final Table

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Kai Cocklin

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Back in April, the inaugural $10,400 Merit Millions Event saw Boris Kolev rising above a talented field of 212 entries to become the first-ever champion. Held inside the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, the unique event ended with Kolev capturing the coveted title and the massive $1,000,000 guaranteed top prize.

Kolev, who began the final table third in chips, put on a clinical display to systematically dismantle his opponents on the way to victory. In doing so, he became the first player in Merit Poker history to walk away with a seven-figure payday. The Bulgarian pro made quick work of Mehdi Chaoui in a brief heads-up battle to seal the title and etch his name in the record books.

2025 Merit Million Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1	Boris Kolev	Bulgaria	$1,000,000
2	Mehdi Chaoui	Morocco	$300,000
3	Romans Lihacovs	Latvia	$200,000
4	Aleksandr Kirichenko	Russian Federation	$140,000
5	Rafael Aslanli	Turkey	$100,000
6	Maksim Shornikau	Belarus	$75,000
7	Andrey Pateychuk	Russian Federation	$55,000
8	Ali Al-Kubasi	Iraq	$45,000
9	Alexandr Lakhov	Russia	$35,400

Read the Full Recap Here

Jul 29, 2025

Luo Greeted By Balaev

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Kai Cocklin

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Jianming Luo hadn't been in the tournament for long and got a not-so-warm welcome from Viacheslav Balaev.

Luo opened to 3,000 from early position and got a call from the cutoff before Balaev squeezed to 11,000 on the button. Luo then four-bet to 28,000, the cutoff folded, and Balaev called.

On the 4♦J♥8♦ flop, Luo tapped the table over to Balaev, who shoved around 50,000. Luo took a bit of time before he folded, allowing Balaev to scoop the pot.

Tags: Jianming Luo Viacheslav Balaev

Jul 29, 2025

Flush For Fal

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Kai Cocklin

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

The pot had ballooned to around 30,000 on a 2♣3♦A♦8♠ board when Adem Agoudjil checked from the big blind and Nikolay Fal also tapped the table from under the gun. Konstantin Voronin was on the button and fired out 7,500, which both of his opponents called.

A 10♦ fell on the river and after Agoudjil checked, Fal bet 18,500. Voronin took some time before he folded, and Agoudjil quickly called.

Fal then flipped over a flush with Q♦9♦, and Agoudjil mucked his hand.

Tags: Adem Agoudjil Konstantin Voronin Nikolay Fal

Jul 29, 2025

Selected Chip Counts

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Kai Cocklin

Level 7 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Level: 7

Blinds: 1,000/1,500

Ante: 1,500

Jul 29, 2025

Break Time

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Kai Cocklin

Level 6 : Blinds 800/1,500, 1,500 ante

Players are heading on a 20-minute break.

Jul 29, 2025

Ruijs Gets the Better of Gromov

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Kai Cocklin

Level 6 : Blinds 800/1,500, 1,500 ante

Joris Ruijs made it 3,500 to go from the cutoff and Dmitry Gromov three-bet the big blind to 10,000. Ruijs called.

They saw a flop of 6♥6♦7♣, where Gromov continued for 15,000 and Ruijs caleld to see the 10♠ drop on the turn. Gromov checked it over and then called a bet of 22,000 from Ruijs.

An A♠ landed on the river and after Gromov checked again, Ruijs shoved. Gromov had around 80,000 behind, and didn't want to play for it all as he mucked his cards.

Shortly after, Gromov busted and was seen at the cash desk reentering, and has a fresh stack of 100,000 to play with.

Tags: Dmitry Gromov Joris Ruijs

Jul 29, 2025

Welcome to Club PokerNews

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Kai Cocklin

Level 6 : Blinds 800/1,500, 1,500 ante

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