On a full board of 8♥5♦J♠6♦5♠, there were around 15,000 chips in the pot when Michael Iakovlev checked from the big blind and the button fired 7,500 from the button.
Iakovlev then put in a raise to 25,000, which sent the button into the tank. Eventually, the clock was called and with just two seconds left, the button called.
Iakovlev then revealed trips with 10♥5♥, which was good for the pot.
Level: 4
Blinds: 500/1,000
Ante: 1,000
Players are taking a 20-minute break.
On a 5♣9♣2♥ flop, Zaid Al-Khashab check-called a bet from the small blind after Banksy fired out 5,000 on the button.
Both checked the 7♦ turn to the A♣ river, where Al-Khashab checked and Banksy threw out 15,000. Within a few seconds, Al-Khashab called.
Banksy then tossed his 8♠2♦ into the middle for bottom pair, but Al-Khashab showed 9♠6♦ for a pair of nines to scoop the pot.
Zaid Al-Khashab opened from under the gun to 1,800 and Bogdan Jontulovic called in the hijack. The cutoff then three-bet to 5,500, which both Al-Khashab and Jontulovic called.
On the 3♦Q♠A♠ flop, the action checked to the cutoff, who fired out 4,000. Al-Khashab then raised to 15,000, which earned him the pot as both of his opponents folded.
One of the more recognizable names in the Day 1a field is Giorgiy Skhulukhiya, who’s already enjoying a strong start with around 180,000 chips early in the day. The Georgian pro is no stranger to big stages and deep runs, and he's arrived in North Cyprus fresh off one of the best results of his career.
Skhulukhiya recently placed 63rd in the 2025 WSOP Main Event, outlasting almost 10,000 players in poker’s most prestigious tournament to earn $135,000. It was a standout performance that added to an already impressive poker resume, which includes multiple high roller titles and a reputation as one of the most aggressive and fearless players on the circuit.
Now back at Merit Poker, where he’s made several deep runs in the past, Skhulukhiya will be looking to ride that momentum into another strong showing as the $2,200 IPO Master gets underway. With plenty of chips and no shortage of confidence, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
Level: 3
Blinds: 400/800
Ante: 800
With around 25,000 in the pot on a 9♣6♠5♥6♥ board, Vadzim Lipauka fired out 13,500 from the big blind and Ali Soleimanian called on the button.
An 8♣ hit the river and Lipauka showed no signs of slowing down with a bet of 32,500. Soleimanian pondered for around 30 seconds and eventually put the chips in, then mucked when Lipauka showed Q♥Q♦.
Elsewhere, Banksy just dusted off a bullet, but is back in with a fresh stack of 100,000.
Not long after Ezatulla Amani just doubled through Haydar Issa, the pair were clashing heads once again.
On a board of 8♥4♣K♣9♦, there were around 35,000 in the middle when Amani checked from early position and then called a bet of 25,000 from Issa, who was in the cutoff.
A J♥ hit the river and Amani shoved for 20,300, which Issa reluctantly called.
Amani showed K♠J♠ for two pair, and then demanded to see the cards of Issa, who had mucked. The dealer obliged as is standard in all-in pots, and revealed Issa's 10♠10♦.
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