Merit Poker Warm Up Off to a Historic Start with Day 1b and 1c Ready to Roll
After a record-breaking Day 1a, the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series is off to an electrifying start inside the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. The $2,200 Warm Up saw an unprecedented 221 entries in its opening flight, smashing the previous Day 1a record of 125 set in 2023. This surge in attendance reinforces the festival’s growing reputation as a must-play stop on the poker calendar.
Leading the charge after the first starting flight was Giorgiy Skhulukhiya, who bagged an impressive 627,000 chips to claim the overall chip lead. Right behind him sits Ludovic Geilich, who finished with 613,000, showcasing his signature aggressive style throughout the day. With Alexey Savenkov (524,000), Adem Marjanovic (502,000), and Iurii Grigorev (430,500) also securing top stacks, the competition is already heating up.
Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giorgiy Skhulukhiya | Georgia | 627,000 |
| 2 | Ludovic Geilich | Scotland | 613,000 |
| 3 | Alexey Savenkov | Russia | 524,000 |
| 4 | Adem Marjanovic | Austria | 502,000 |
| 5 | Humberto Galindo | Spain | 475,000 |
| 6 | Iurii Grigorev | Russia | 439,500 |
| 7 | Farbod Nazari | Iran | 436,000 |
| 8 | Aytekin Yayla | North Cyprus | 432,500 |
| 9 | Banksy | United Kingdom | 430,000 |
| 10 | Haghgou Seyedahmad | Iran | 412,500 |
Now, Day 1b takes center stage at 12:00 p.m., offering another opportunity for players to join the action and chase a deep run. Later in the evening, Day 1c kicks off at 9:00 p.m., featuring 25-minute levels, catering to those who prefer a faster-paced structure. Like all starting flights, both Day 1b and Day 1c will play through ten levels, giving players ample time to build their stacks before advancing to Day 2.
Remaining Warm Up Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
With the Warm Up’s record-setting pace, today’s flights are expected to draw another large field as more contenders look to secure their spot for Day 2. The road to the title is just getting started, and the battle at the tables is sure to intensify as the series continues.
Stay locked in with PokerNews for all the latest updates, chip counts, and key hands as the Warm Up continues to unfold.