Day 1 Highlights of the $5,300 High Roller at the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series
The excitement of high-stakes poker reached a fever pitch today as the $5,300 High Roller, boasting a staggering $500,000 guaranteed prize pool, kicked off at the luxurious Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. This event is part of the much-anticipated 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series and has successfully attracted a talented field of 143 entries, all eager to claim a share of the lucrative prize money.
Intense Battles and Strategic Moves
As the tournament unfolded over eight levels, each lasting 40 minutes, players engaged in fierce battles, showcasing their strategic prowess and making powerful moves to outplay their opponents. The initial stages of the tournament saw a mix of aggressive play and cautious strategies as participants sought to build their chip stacks while navigating the competitive landscape.
At the end of Day 1, only 96 players emerged victorious, successfully bagging their chips for Day 2. This remarkable survival rate is a testament to the resilience and skill required in high-stakes poker, where fortunes can change in an instant.
Georgios Tsouloftas Takes the Lead
Heading into Day 2, it is Cypriot player Georgios Tsouloftas who leads the charge with an impressive stack of 594,500 chips—the only player to surpass the coveted half-million mark. Tsouloftas established his dominance in a critical hand, where he flopped a set against Soraya Estrada’s pocket queens. This pivotal moment not only dealt a significant blow to Estrada’s stack but also propelled Tsouloftas to the forefront of the competition, confidently positioning him as a formidable contender for the title.
Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 594,500 | 397 |
| 2 | Paul Lagan | Ireland | 440,000 | 293 |
| 3 | Tobias Peters | Netherlands | 428,000 | 285 |
| 4 | Vladislav Ivanov | Russia | 386,000 | 257 |
| 5 | Baltazar Five | Lebanon | 372,000 | 248 |
| 6 | Zoran Sesum | Serbia | 370,500 | 247 |
| 7 | Volodymyr Drokin | Ukraine | 356,000 | 237 |
| 8 | Siarhei Chudapal | Belarus | 355,000 | 237 |
| 9 | Yayun Liu | U.S.A | 342,500 | 229 |
| 10 | Leonid Orman | Russia | 303,500 | 202 |
Paul Lagan from Ireland is positioned as Tsouloftas’ closest competitor, sitting in second place with a stack of 440,000 chips. Notably, bracelet winner Tobias Peters rounds out the podium with 428,000 chips after a successful end to Day 1, where he outsmarted Zhen Chen by calling a river bluff.
Notable Survivors Advancing to Day 2
Among the notable players advancing to Day 2 are:
- Johnny Lodden (289,500)
- Kirill Burtin (286,000)
- Two-time bracelet winner Boris Kolev (281,000)
- Samuel Ju (242,000), who made a splash by winning a side event while the High Roller was underway.
Other significant chip counts include Boris Angelov (222,500), Fahredin Mustafov (190,000), and last year’s Merit Poker Western Series High Roller winner Sergei Varnaev (86,000).
Looking Ahead to Day 2
Day 2 of the $5,300 High Roller gets underway at 6 p.m. local time on Monday, March 17, as the remaining players return to battle it out starting from Level 9 with blinds at 1,000/1,500 and a 1,500 big blind ante. Players will also have access to unlimited re-entries until late registration closes at the end of Level 12.
The tournament structure for Day 2 is set to be confirmed shortly after play begins, raising the thrill and anticipation as competitors strategize their way to the money and potential victory.
Remaining $5,300 High Roller Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 17 | Day 2 | 6 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 18 | Day 3 | 1 p.m. | 40 minutes |
Tune In for More Action
As the competition heats up, fans and players alike are encouraged to tune into PokerNews to follow the unfolding drama of Day 2. With experienced players and emerging talent in the mix, the journey towards the final table promises to be thrilling. Who will rise to the occasion and claim a share of the significant prize pool? Stay tuned to find out!
