The $3,300 Main Event at the 2025 Merit Poker Western Series rides into Day 3 with the stakes higher than ever and the dream of a massive payday drawing closer. A record-breaking 791 entries were confirmed, and the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino has been buzzing with excitement as the remaining 157 players prepare to battle it out.
Leading the charge is China's Zhen Chen, who wrangled an impressive 1,281,000 chips on Day 2 to take the top spot on the leaderboard. Chen, who captured the $5,300 High Roller title just months ago, will look to extend his dominance and add another coveted Merit Poker trophy to his collection.
Dmitry Gromov has once again proven why Cyprus is his poker playground, finishing Day 2 with a formidable stack of 1,154,000 chips. The Russian pro boasts an impressive résumé with over 100 career cashes, including no less than ten in Merit Poker Main Events. Gromov, who recently placed third in the Gatsby Gala Main Event, has consistently showcased his dominance at the tables in North Cyprus. With his sights set on yet another deep run, Gromov is poised to add an eleventh Merit Main Event cash to his growing list of achievements and further solidify his legacy in the region.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zhen Chen | China | 1,281,000 | 160 |
| 2 | Anton Danilov | Russia | 1,276,000 | 160 |
| 3 | Renars Skanis | Latvia | 1,250,000 | 156 |
| 4 | Bugra Karsli | Turkey | 1,184,000 | 148 |
| 5 | Dmitry Gromov | Russia | 1,154,000 | 144 |
| 6 | Nichan Khorchidian | Lebanon | 1,149,000 | 144 |
| 7 | Georgios Skarparis | Cyprus | 1,133,000 | 142 |
| 8 | Ali Fkih | Tunisia | 1,128,000 | 141 |
| 9 | Nikolay Ponomarev | Russia | 1,092,000 | 137 |
| 10 | Motokatsu Uhara | Japan | 1,014,000 | 127 |
The field is stacked with talent as Anton Danilov (1,276,000), Renars Skanis (1,250,000), and Bugra Karsli (1,184,000) all start Day 3 with over a million chips. Notable names like Georgios Skarparis (1,133,000), Dan Borlan (887,000), and Philip Joyce (660,000) also find themselves in prime positions to make a run at the $377,500 top prize.
Play kicks off today at 12:00 p.m. local time, with blinds starting at 4,000/8,000 and an 8,000 big blind ante. The remaining players will be battling it out for a place in the money, with the bubble bursting at 103 players.
Payouts
Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the action, as the field narrows, and the journey to crowning the next Western Series champion continues!
