Faces in the Field
Photos by Mickey May/partypoker
2019 Merit Poker Classic
Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2019 Merit Poker Classic
Buy-in
$5,300
Prize Pool
$2,990,267
Entries
649
Level
35
Blinds
400,000 / 800,000
Ante
800,000
Some Chip Counts
Level 3
: 500/1,000, 1,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
150,000 | 50,000 |
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
|
62,500 | -37,500 |
|
61,000 | -39,000 |
|
32,000 | -68,000 |
Chaaban First to Go
Level 3
: 500/1,000, 1,000 ante
The flop read 
and Vanush Mnatsakyan had bet 12,000 from the small blind. The player in the big blind called and Wael Chaaban responded with a shove for 51,700. Mnatsakyan tanked for a while and then the clock was called on him. The floor came over, looked at the clock and then Mnatsakyan also shoved. The player in the big blind asked for a count, the dealer confirmed Mnatsakyan had 99,700 behind. The dealer also counted out Chaaban's stack and then the big blind folded to let them battle it out.
Wael Chaaban: 
Vanush Mnatsakyan: 
Chaaban had flopped the open-ended straight draw and had the pair of eights but was behind against Mnatsakyan's pocket queens.
The rest of the board was completed with the 
on the turn and the 
on the river to keep the situation the same and Chaaban was the first player of the day to get eliminated.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
190,000 | 190,000 |
|
|
Busted |
Level: 3
Blinds: 500/1,000
Ante: 1,000
Break
Level 2
: 400/800, 800 ante
The players have been sent for their first 10-minute break of the day.
Angelou-Konstas Wins One
Level 2
: 400/800, 800 ante
Ioannis Angelou-Konstas won the partypoker LIVE MILLIONS UK Main Event back in October for $1,237,557 and has just taken his seat in the second level of the day, right next to Garik Tamasyan.
The flop read 
and both Tamasyan and Konstas had checked. The player on the button bet 2,800 which they both called.
They all checked through the 
on the turn to the 
on the river. Tamasyan quickly checked and Angelou-Konstas bet 5,200. The button folded and so did Tamasyan.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
109,800 | |
|
95,000 | -5,000 |
Two More New Entries
Level 2
: 400/800, 800 ante
Andrey Malyshev has joined the field. Malyshev finished in third place in the partypoker LIVE MILLIONS Russa for $420,654.
Garik Tamasyan has also taken a seat. Tamasyan finished fifth during the $10,300 partypoker Caribbean Poker Party for $125,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
100,000 | |
|
|
100,000 |
Fatehi Joins the Fray
Level 2
: 400/800, 800 ante
Ali Reza Fatehi has joined the fray. Fatehi is also known for participating in the high roller events all over Europe.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
Some More Familiar Faces
Level 2
: 400/800, 800 ante
Andrey Kozlenko, who some might know from his poker streaming adventures, has also joined the field.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
|
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
|
|
100,000 | 100,000 |
Level: 2
Blinds: 400/800
Ante: 800