Ali Moein, Gabi Livshitz Lead the Way as Field Combines on Day 2 of the Merit Poker Carmen Series $2,200 Warmup
The field that has descended on the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino in North Cyprus for the Merit Poker Carmen Series $2,200 Warmup will all be together in one room today when Day 2 begins at 12:30 p.m. local time.
Ali Moein and Gabi Livshitz sit atop the leaderboard after amassing massive stacks on Day 1. Moein takes 758,000 into today’s play, while Livshitz, who already has one win here during this festival, is right behind him with 664,000.
Day 2 Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ali Moein | 758,000 | 303 |
| 2 | Gabi Livshitz | 664,000 | 266 |
| 3 | Cheikh Hobeiche | 545,000 | 218 |
| 4 | Mikhail Zamyatin | 522,500 | 209 |
| 5 | Philippe Souki | 504,000 | 202 |
| 6 | Eduard Barsegian | 498,000 | 199 |
| 7 | Rabih Saad | 493,000 | 197 |
| 8 | Roman Gadzhiev | 484,500 | 194 |
| 9 | Koray Korkmaz | 441,000 | 176 |
| 10 | Murat Altas | 435,500 | 174 |
Other top stacks include Philippe Souki (504,000), Uri Reichenstein (368,000), and Thomas Eychenne (351,500). Further down the leaderboard are Michele Guerrini (252,500), Ran Ilani (241,000), and Toni Kaukua (210,000).
A total of 438 entries have already played the event, with 223 players making it through to Day 2. There is also a turbo Day 1d flight still to be played this morning. Players can still register for the first four levels today, with late registration open until the end of Level 12, which should come around 5 p.m. The official prize pool will then be announced.
Blinds pick up on Level 9 at 1,000-2,500 with a 2,500 big blind ante. The schedule today calls for a further nine hour-long levels. There will be a 45-minute dinner break following the conclusion of Level 14. That should bring the field close to the money bubble by the end of the day. But first, the players have to survive what will be a grueling and action-packed day here along the shores of the Mediterranean.
As always, PokerNews will be there following all the action and providing live updates throughout Day 2.