The 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series Ignites with a $1,000,000 Guaranteed Warm Up
The story of Carmen is one of passion, fate, and relentless pursuit—fitting themes as the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series gets underway. Back on the shores of North Cyprus in the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino, a new chapter begins, bringing together some of the game’s fiercest competitors in pursuit of poker glory.
Just as Don José was drawn into Carmen’s fiery world, players from across the globe have been lured to this high-stakes arena, where ambition burns as fiercely as the Mediterranean sun. Here, fortunes can change in a heartbeat, and every decision—like a fateful twist in Bizet’s opera—can lead to triumph or heartbreak. As the cards hit the felt and the battle begins, only the most fearless will seize their moment and etch their names into Merit Poker history.
The 2024 series saw standout performances across its biggest events. In the Main Event, Elie Farah emerged victorious after navigating a stacked field of 664 entries, walking away with a career-best $338,500 and the prestigious Merit Poker trophy. Jakub Michalak showcased his high-stakes expertise in the $5,300 High Roller, overcoming 145 entrants to secure $174,500. Meanwhile, Simeon Spasov dominated the Merit Poker Cup, topping a field of 459 to claim $167,100. With last year’s champions setting the standard, the stage is set for a new wave of players to make their mark.
2024 Carmen Series Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elie Farah | Lebanon | $338,500 |
| 2 | Felipe Ketzer | Brazil | $249,200 |
| 3 | Dinesh Alt | Switzerland | $153,000 |
| 4 | Bart Lybaert | Belgium | $113,100 |
| 5 | Dmitry Gromov | Russian Federation | $84,700 |
| 6 | Tahsin Cankurtaranli | Turkey | $68,400 |
| 7 | Andrey Litvinov | Russian Federation | $56,600 |
| 8 | Maher Achour | Tunisia | $45,100 |
| 9 | Danut Chisu | Romania | $33,900 |
Today, the festival kicks off with the $2,200 Warm Up, a tournament that promises intense action with its $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool. Players will start with 100,000 chips, looking to navigate their way through the early stages and build momentum for the deeper rounds of the event.
This year's Warm Up features the usual four opening flights, giving players multiple opportunities to secure a seat for Day 2. The action begins with Day 1a on March 13 at 12:00 p.m., where players will compete in 40-minute blind levels. Day 1b follows on March 14 at 12:00 p.m., also featuring 40-minute levels, while Day 1c offers a faster-paced alternative later that evening at 9:00 p.m., with 25-minute levels. The final turbo flight, Day 1d, kicks off on March 15 at 10:00 a.m., where blind levels will last just 15 minutes.
Warm Up Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 13 | Day 1a | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 14 | Day 1b | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 14 | Day 1c | 9:00 p.m. | 25 minutes |
| March 15 | Day 1d | 10:00 a.m. | 15 minutes |
| March 15 | Day 2 | 12:30 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 16 | Day 3 | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 17 | Day 4 | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
Surviving players will advance to Day 2 on March 15 at 12:30 p.m., where 40-minute levels resume. Late registration remains open until the end of Level 15 on Day 2, allowing players a final chance to enter the field before the tournament moves into its later stages. The event will then play down to a champion over the following days, with Day 3 on March 16 and the final Day 4 on March 17, both beginning at 12:00 p.m. and maintaining the 40-minute blind level structure.
With the Mediterranean breeze in the air and poker’s elite ready to take their seats, the battle for the first title of the series begins. Will a new name rise to the occasion, or will past champions return to steal the spotlight? Stay tuned as PokerNews provides live updates from the first shuffle to the final river.