Record-Breaking Start to the Main Event as Konstantin Voronin Tops the Counts
The $3,300 Main Event at the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series is off to a historic start as Day 1a closed with 235 entries, officially setting a new record for the largest opening flight in the event’s history. The previous mark of 232 entries from 2023 has been surpassed, signaling a strong turnout and setting the stage for what could be the biggest Main Event yet.
After eight sixty-minute levels of play, 113 players advanced to Day 2, each one taking their first step toward the prestigious title. Leading the way is Konstantin Voronin, who bagged an impressive 601,000 chips, putting him in pole position heading into Day 2. Voronin separated himself from the pack with a dominant performance, accumulating chips throughout the night and finishing as the clear frontrunner.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Konstantin Voronin | Russia | 601,000 |
| 2 | Hassan Nashar | Guinea-Bissau | 585,000 |
| 3 | Amir Mohammadi | Iran | 569,000 |
| 4 | Andrii Novak | Ukraine | 527,500 |
| 5 | Qiang Xu | China | 510,000 |
| 6 | Boris Kolev | Bulgaria | 508,000 |
| 7 | Mario Menicanin | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 504,500 |
| 8 | Alexandru Papazian | Romania | 459,500 |
| 9 | Benjamin Hamnett | United States | 451,500 |
| 10 | Kuljinder Sidhu | India | 416,000 |
The Merit Poker Classic series continue to showcase its global appeal, as the top ten chip counts from Day 1a feature players from ten different countries. From Russia to the United States, China to Guinea-Bissau, and India to Romania, this truly international lineup highlights Merit’s reputation as a premier poker destination that attracts talent from all corners of the globe. With players from diverse backgrounds and playing styles, the battle for the title is set to be an exciting clash of strategies and experience on one of poker’s biggest stages.
Among the top ten is Hassan Nashar, a player known for his entertaining and fearless style. It took him a few attempts to build momentum, but once he found his stride, he bagged an impressive 585,000, securing the second-biggest stack of the day. Andrii Novak, a force to be reckoned with in the online poker world, sits comfortably in fourth place with 527,500, while Boris Kolev, one of Bulgaria’s most accomplished players, also locked up a strong position with 508,000.
Main Event Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 19 | Day 1b | 12:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| March 20 | Day 1c | 12:00 p.m. | 40 minutes |
| March 20 | Day 1d | 7:00 p.m. | 25 minutes |
| March 21 | Day 2 | 12:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| March 22 | Day 3 | 12:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| March 23 | Day 4 | 12:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| March 24 | Day 5 | 1:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
The Main Event continues over the next six days, with Day 1b playing out tomorrow under the same structure as Day 1a, featuring 60-minute levels. Survivors from both flights, and from 1c & 1d, will return for Day 2 on Friday, March 21, where late registration will remain open until the end of Level 14.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for continued coverage of the Carmen Series Main Event, including live updates, chip counts, and all the key hands as the action unfolds.