Aren Bezhanyan Takes Control on Day 1b as Warm Up Nears Record Territory
The 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series continues to build momentum, as Day 1b of the $2,200 Warm Up drew another 222 entries inside the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. With yesterday’s record-breaking Day 1a already setting the stage for a massive turnout, today’s flight kept the energy high and pushed the total field to 443 entries with more flights still to come.
After ten levels of action, 118 players bagged their stacks and secured their spot in Day 2. Leading the way was Aren Bezhanyan, who finished with a commanding 647,000 chips, surpassing Giorgiy Skhulukhiya’s 627,000 from Day 1a to claim the overall chip lead. Bezhanyan navigated a deep and competitive field, consistently applying pressure and stacking up chips throughout the day to finish on top.
Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aren Bezhanyan | Russia | 647,000 |
| 2 | Erdal Gulseven | Turkey | 621,500 |
| 3 | Hassan Nashar | Senegal | 496,500 |
| 4 | Aleksey Cherkasov | Russia | 480,500 |
| 5 | Miltiadis Kyriakides | Cyprus | 461,500 |
| 6 | Mikhail Zavoloka | Russia | 444,000 |
| 7 | Ran Ilani | Israel | 420,000 |
| 8 | Emrah Daban | Turkey | 419,000 |
| 9 | Oleh Frantsevych | Ukraine | 418,000 |
| 10 | Nenad Dukic | Serbia | 360,000 |
Among those making the top ten were Mikhail Zavoloka (444,000) and Ran Ilani (420,000), both of whom stood out with strong performances. Zavoloka played a steady, disciplined game, gradually accumulating chips and avoiding major setbacks to secure his spot among the leaders. Meanwhile, Ilani took a more aggressive approach, frequently applying pressure and winning key pots to build his stack.
Other notable names in the top ten included Hassan Nashar (496,500), Aleksey Cherkasov (480,500), and Miltiadis Kyriakides (461,500), all of whom positioned themselves well heading into Day 2. With the field continuing to grow and the competition heating up, the chase for one of the biggest Warm Up titles in Merit Poker history is well underway.
Remaining Warm Up Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Day 1c kicked off at 9:00 p.m., giving players another shot to build a stack, while the final starting flight, Day 1d, runs tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. with a turbo structure. Survivors from all four flights will then return for Day 2 on March 15 at 12:30 p.m., where the field will combine for the first time. Those who make it through will battle for a spot in Day 3 on March 16 at 12:00 p.m., before the tournament reaches its climax on March 17 at 12:00 p.m., when a champion will be crowned.
With 443 entries already in the books and two flights still to come, the $2,200 Warm Up is closing in on some of the biggest fields in Merit Poker history. The target to beat is 809 from the 2023 Retro Series, while the 2022 Vintage Series saw 624 entries, and last year’s Carmen Series Warm Up hit 611. With strong turnouts so far and registration still open, this year’s event has the momentum to challenge those numbers and potentially make history.
| Year | Event | Entries | 1st Place Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Retro Series Warm Up | 809 | $264,400 |
| 2023 | Carmen Series Warm Up | 611 | $206,800 |
| 2022 | Vintage Series Warm Up | 624 | $200,000 |
Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates, chip counts, and key hands as the Warm Up unfolds. With a record-setting field and big prizes on the line, you won’t want to miss a moment of the action!