$5,300 Main Event
Day 4 Completed
2024 Mediterranean Poker Party
$5,300 Main Event
Day: 4
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 4
2024 Mediterranean Poker Party
Buy-in
$5,300
Prize Pool
$6,048,000
Entries
1,260
Level
35
Blinds
2,000,000 / 4,000,000
Ante
4,000,000
Players Left
1
Azamat Lamkov Wins the 2024 Mediterranean Poker Party $5,300 Main Event ($1,000,000)
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
After four days of play, Azamat Lamkov has become the newest $5,300 Mediterranean Poker Party Main Event champion as he defeated a massive field of 1,260 entries in here at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel.
Fifth in chips at the beginning of the final table, Lamkov made his way to the first place, surpassing players like Mihai Niste (6th, $170,000) and Leon Sturm (3rd, $440,000). Ultimately, Lamkov claimed victory over Kirill Shcherbakov, who finished in second place for $680,000. Thanks to this win, Lamkov is not only the proud owner of a trophy, but he's also a millionaire with the $1,000,000 first place-prize.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azamat Lamkov | Russian Federation | $1,000,000 |
| 2 | Kirill Shcherbakov | Russian Federation | $680,000 |
| 3 | Leon Sturm | Germany | $440,000 |
| 4 | Iurii Suvorov | Russian Federation | $320,000 |
| 5 | Birger Larsen | Norway | $225,000 |
| 6 | Mihai Niste | Romania | $170,000 |
| 7 | Gamir Gabdullin | Russian Federation | $125,000 |
| 8 | Assyl Tleuzhanov | Kazakhstan | $100,000 |
Lamkov's first reaction after his victory was to shake Shcherbakov's hand, point his fingers to the sky, and then join his wife and friends to celebrate. "It is very hard to explain my emotions now because I cannot realize how I’m feeling," he explained in Russian during his first winner's interview.
It was a dream come true as Lamkov has earned his largest live-time cash of an incredible $1,000,000 after winning a satellite seat to gain his entry. For the long story, he won a travel package for $125 from GGPoker. Despite facing an early exit from the initial event, he clinched a spot in the $5,300 Main Event through a successful performance in a live satellite hosted at the Merit Diamond Hotel.
He was also wearing a Merit Poker badge the entire tournament, which was needed to win the last longer. By doing so, he has also earned an entry into the Main Event at Dolce Vita Series in July
Final Table's Action
Nine players out of a field of 1,260 entrants came back today for the final table of the $5,300 Mediterranean Poker Party Main Event to play for $1,000,000. Yuhang Chen was second to last in chips, so he had to double up quickly to have a chance to win. And after a few hands, he found a good spot to do so with ace-queen. But he lost the flip against the chip leader Kirill Shcherbakov’s fives, and he became the first player to hit the rail (9th, $78,300). Damir Gabdullin had better luck as he doubled up with aces, and Leon Sturm ran good as well before the first break, hitting a straight on the river to take the chip lead.
Shortly after the restart, Iurii Suvorov doubled through Assyl Tleuzhanov, leaving the Kazakh player on fumes. Tleuzhanov was eventually eliminated a few minutes later by Sturm and won $100,000 for his 8th place. Moments before Tleuzhanov left the table, Shcherbakov four-bet with king-six offsuit. However, he had to give up his bluff when Lamkov moved all-in on the turn with a set. Because of this action, Shcherbakov lost a big part of his stack, and he lost some more chips later when Birger Larsen then Suvorov doubled up against him.
Gabdullin wanted to double his stack as well, but with ace-seven, he couldn’t do much against Sturm’s ace-nice and left in 7th place for $125,000. He was followed at the payout desk by Mihai Niste, who lost a big flip then was forced to go all-in from the big blind. With ten-five offsuit, the Romanian player couldn’t win against Sturm’s jack-nine and was eliminated in 6th place for $170,000.
After a new break, Larsen shoved with seven blinds. And as he ran into Shcherbakov’s kings and finished 5th for $225,000, Suvorov managed to double up with jacks. However, it wasn’t enough to survive for Suvorov as he eventually hit the rail in 4th place for $320,000, beaten by Lamkov’s ace-ten.
Second in chips at the beginning of the final table, Sturm had now the shortest stack. He tried to come back, moving all-in with jacks. But Lamkov had ace-six and flopped top pair to send Sturm to the payout desk in third place for $440,000.
Thanks to this pot, Lamkov was slightly ahead when the heads-up play began, and he managed to significantly extend his lead when he hit a straight and was called by ace-high. From this point, Shcherbakov never came back and all the chips eventually when into the middle with Shcherbakov at risk with top pair against a flush draw. A third diamond came on the river to complete Lamkov’s flush, and he was crowned as the winner of the $5,300 Mediterranean Poker Party Main Event.
This concludes the $5,300 Mediterranean Poker Party Main Event coverage. Stay tuned to PokerNews for more Merit Poker Action, and especially the last day of the $1,100 EAPT Cyprus.
Kirill Shcherbakov Eliminated in 2nd Place ($680,000)
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Azamat Lamkov limped, and Kirill Shcherbakov checked his option.
The dealer spread a flop of J♦10♦2♠, and once checked to, Lamkov bet 4,000,000. Shcherbakov responded with a check-raise to 12,000,000, and Lamkov announced all-in. Shcherbakov called off his 47,000,000, and both hands were exposed.
Kirill Shcherbakov: J♥8♠ 
Azamat Lamkov: Q♦2♦
It was an action flop as Shcherbakov flopped top pair, while Lamkov had a pair and a flush draw.
The 3♠ turn was a brick, but the 8♦ hit the river completed the flush for Lamkov, eliminating Shcherbakov in 2nd place.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
378,000,000
55,000,000
|
55,000,000 |
|
||
|
Busted | |
|
||
Lamkov Gets There
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Azamat Lamkov opened 8,000,000 with 7♠6♦, and Kirill Shcherbakov defended with J♦2♣.
The flop came 8♣3♣2♠, and Shcherbakov check-called a bet of 6,000,000.
The 8♠ paired the board, and Shcherbakov check-called another bet of 11,000,000.
The 7♥ river was a nasty one for Shcherbakov as Lamkov paired his seven, and both players tapped the table as the dealer pushed the pot to Lamkov.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
323,000,000
29,000,000
|
29,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
55,000,000
-19,000,000
|
-19,000,000 |
|
|
||
Lamkov Out-Kicks Shcherbakov
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Kirill Shcherbakov limped the button holding the 6♥4♦, and Azamat Lamkov checked his option with J♥6♣.
The dealer fanned a flop of K♦10♦9♣, and Lamkov check-called a bet of 4,000,000.
Both players proceeded to check the 6♦ turn, and K♥ river. Sending the pot to Lamkov as his jack-kicker played.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
294,000,000
20,000,000
|
20,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
74,000,000
-20,000,000
|
-20,000,000 |
|
|
||
Shcherbakov Makes Trips
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Kirill Shcherbakov opened 8,000,000 with K♥3♣ and Azamat Lamkov called the big blind with K♦10♣.
The 7♠4♥3♥ flop gave Shcherbakov a pair of threes, and both players checked to the 3♠ turn. Lamkov led for 8,000,000, and Shcherbakov raised to 22,000,000 to drag the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
274,000,000
-12,000,000
|
-12,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
94,000,000
12,000,000
|
12,000,000 |
|
|
||
No Call for Shcherbakov
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Azamat Lamkov raised J♦8♥ to 8,000,000, and Kirill Shcherbakov jammed his 7♥7♦ for 72,000,000. Lamkov snap-folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
286,000,000
-16,000,000
|
-16,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
82,000,000
6,000,000
|
6,000,000 |
|
|
||
Massive Pot for Lamkov
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Azamat Lamkov opened 8,000,000 with A♠3♣ on the button, and Kirill Shcherbakov three-bet 32,000,000 holding A♣K♥. Lamkov thought about it for a moment, and made the call.
The 8♦5♣4♦ flop hit the felt, and Shcherbakov continued for 22,000,000. Lamkov pushed a stack across the line to make the call.
The 2♦ landed on the turn, giving Lamkov a straight, and Shcherbakov slowed down with a check.
Lamkov wrapped his hoodie around his face as he used a time bank, and counted out a bet of 50,000,000 and pushed it across the line. Shcherbakov called.
The 2♥ completed the board on the river, and Shcherbakov quickly checked, and called a bet of 20,000,000 from Lamkov to see the bad news.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
302,000,000
132,000,000
|
132,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
76,000,000
-122,000,000
|
-122,000,000 |
|
|
||
First Pot to Shcherbakov
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Kirill Shcherbakov opened J♦8♥ to 8,000,000, and Azamat Lamkov defended the big blind.
The dealer spread a flop of J♠8♠2♦ connecting with both players. Lamkov check-called a bet o 10,000,000.
When the 3♥ hit the turn, Lamkov checked to Shcherbakov who fired another bet of 38,000,000, and Lamkov let it go.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
198,000,000
14,000,000
|
14,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
170,000,000
-24,000,000
|
-24,000,000 |
|
|
||
20-Minute Break
Level 35
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
The tournament will resume in about 20-minutes as they prepare for heads-up play.