| Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
|---|---|---|
|
|
625,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
|
620,000
120,000
|
120,000 |
|
|
440,000
70,000
|
70,000 |
|
|
425,000
295,000
|
295,000 |
|
|
400,000
190,000
|
190,000 |
|
|
400,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
380,000
30,000
|
30,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
320,000
100,000
|
100,000 |
|
|
300,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
|
300,000
100,000
|
100,000 |
|
|
280,000
180,000
|
180,000 |
|
|
250,000
250,000
|
250,000 |
|
|
245,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
2025 Merit Poker Western Series
With around 40,000 chips already in the pot on a J♥10♦6♠2♣ board, Pouya Ranjehdel fired 12,000 from the small blind and Recep Aydemir made it 35,000 to go. Ranjehdel was thinking for some time, but eventually settled on a fold, and forfeited the post to Aydemir.
Aydemir finished second in the 2023 Western Series Warm Up and is back in action again trying to claim the title that he so narrowly missed out on two years ago. Right now, he has around 140,000 to work with as the day starts to wind down in this penultimate level.
| Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
|---|---|---|
|
|
210,000
90,000
|
90,000 |
|
|
140,000 |
After a runner-up finish in last year’s Merit Poker Western Series $3,300 Main Event, Nichan Khorchidian claimed victory at the Merit Poker Gatsby Gala Series $3,300 Main Event to close out 2024. Battling through a competitive 614-entry field, Khorchidian emerged triumphant, earning a career-best score of $307,700.
Khorchidian’s path to victory was a mix of skill, intuition, and his unmistakable personality. Known for his chatty and friendly presence at the table, he played the tournament on his terms, blending bold moves with sharp reads and a genuine love for the game. From managing one of the largest stacks throughout the event to embracing the dynamics of every situation, Khorchidian’s triumph wasn’t just about the numbers - it was about staying true to himself and enjoying every moment of the journey.
2024 Merit Poker Gatsby Gala Series $3,300 Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nichan Khorchidian | Lebanon | $307,700 |
| 2 | Bogdan Jontulovic | Serbia | $211,400 |
| 3 | Dmitry Gromov | Russia | $142,470 |
| 4 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | $102,570 |
| 5 | Vedat Yilmaz | Turkey | $76,930 |
| 6 | Adrian State | Romania | $61,640 |
| 7 | Andrey Pateychuk | Russia | $51,300 |
| 8 | Naji Tannoury | Lebanon | $40,930 |
| 9 | Felipe Ketzer | Brazil | $30,770 |
There were around 100,000 chips already in the middle on a board of 7♥3♠5♥9♣ when Recep Aydemir shoved for around 85,000 from the cutoff. Edward Quinn was the only other player in the hand and after thinking it over, he decided to give it up.
"Flush draw is good," said Quinn.
"You want to see?" responded Aydemir, who then moved both of his cards toward the muck.
"It's up to you," replied Quinn.
Aydemir then flipped over the 2♥ with a chuckle before he mucked.
"I knew it! Nice hand," said Quinn with a smile.
| Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
|---|---|---|
|
|
380,000
80,000
|
80,000 |
|
|
180,000
40,000
|
40,000 |
On a board of 4♦5♥9♠Q♦, Huseyin Tekerek checked it over to the player on the button, who bet 11,500 into the pot of around 20,000. Tekerek then raised to 35,000, and the button called.
A K♥ landed on the river and Tekerek immediately shoved for around 80,000, which put the button to the test for his remaining 50,000. Around a minute passed before the button folded, and Tekerek took down the pot as play is about to enter the last level.
| Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
|---|---|---|
|
|
150,000
30,000
|
30,000 |
Nivel: 10
Ciegas: 1,000/2,000
Ante: 2,000
With the clock just ticking into Level 10, it means just 40 minutes of play remains in the day.
Once this level is over, the surviving players will bag up their chips and come back for Day 2 tomorrow.
On a board of 9♠5♣Q♣, Georges Chehade bet 15,000 into a pot of around 20,000, and Xin Yuan made it 45,00 to go. Chehade then shoved for around 100,000, and Yuan quickly called.
Georges Chehade: Q♠10♦
Xin Yuan: Q♥J♦
Chehade was out-kicked and needed to find some help from the board in order to escape elimination. An A♠ on the turn did open up some chop possibilities, but the 4♣ river was no good, which meant Chehade was out.
Yuan now sitting with around 550,000!
| Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
|---|---|---|
|
|
550,000
125,000
|
125,000 |
|
|
Eliminado |
| Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
|---|---|---|
|
|
770,000
150,000
|
150,000 |
|
|
475,000
150,000
|
150,000 |
|
|
450,000
70,000
|
70,000 |
|
|
450,000
50,000
|
50,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
425,000
15,000
|
15,000 |
|
|
400,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
250,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
|
150,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
150,000 | |
|
|
150,000
50,000
|
50,000 |
|
|
130,000
40,000
|
40,000 |
|
|
75,000
45,000
|
45,000 |
Drama at the bell!
There was an open before Luke Marsh three-bet to 16,000 from the hijack. Xin Yuan then four-bet to 45,000 out of the big blind before Marsh clickec it to 110,000. A rare six-bet from Yuan to 175,000 then followed, which Marsh called.
The flop came 10♠8♣9♥ and Yuan continued for 35,000. Marsh mulled it over for a while before he stuck in the call to see the 8♠ turn, which went check-check.
When the 2♦ dropped on the river, Yuan went into the tank and then moved all in, only to met with a snap-call from Marsh.
Yuan flipped over A♦K♣ for just ace-high, and Marsh showed A♣A♠ for pocket aces to take the huge pot right at the death!
| Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
|---|---|---|
|
|
970,000
520,000
|
520,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
160,000
390,000
|
390,000 |