2023 Merit Poker Western Series

$5,300 High Roller
Day: 3
Event Info

2023 Merit Poker Western Series

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a9
Prize
$170,000
Event Info
Buy-in
$5,300
Prize Pool
$676,200
Entries
147
Level Info
Level
31
Blinds
125,000 / 250,000
Ante
250,000
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
17
Players Left
1

Viktor Ustimov Eliminated in 5th Place ($43,000)

Level 29 : Blinds 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante
Viktor Ustimov
Viktor Ustimov

Joseph Mouwad moved all in for 1,145,000 from the hijack with the {j-Spades}{10-Hearts}. Viktor Ustimov was in the small blind with the {9-Spades}{9-Hearts} and called off his smaller stack.

The flop came {2-Hearts}{9-Clubs}{q-Spades} to give Ustimov a set but Mouwad a draw. The turn was the {4-Hearts} and the river came the {8-Clubs} to brutally bust Ustimov after he was able to ladder up into fifth place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Joseph Mouwad lb
Joseph Mouwad
2,155,000
-350,000
-350,000
Profile photo of Viktor Ustimov ru
Viktor Ustimov
Busted

Tags: Joseph MouwadViktor Ustimov

Kolotiuk Doubles

Level 29 : 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante

Andreas Christoforou raised to 400,000 from the hijack with the {q-Clubs}{10-Clubs}. Roman Kolotiuk jammed 740,000 from the small blind with the {8-Hearts}{8-Spades} and Christoforou called after a few moments.

The flop came {7-Hearts}{6-Diamonds}{k-Clubs}. The turn was the {k-Hearts} and the river the {j-Diamonds} to give the double to Kolotiuk.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Roman Kolotiuk ru
Roman Kolotiuk
1,800,000
740,000
740,000
Profile photo of Andreas Christoforou cy
Andreas Christoforou
1,700,000
-360,000
-360,000

Tags: Andreas ChristoforouRoman Kolotiuk

Fausto Tantillo Eliminated in 6th Place ($34,500)

Level 29 : 80,000/160,000, 160,000 ante
Fausto Tantillo
Fausto Tantillo

Toni Kaukua opened from the hijack to 320,000 with the {a-Diamonds}{3-Clubs}. Fausto Tantillo had the {k-Clubs}{k-Hearts} in the big blind and flatted.

The flop came {j-Hearts}{6-Hearts}{9-Hearts} to give Tantillo a flush draw as well as the overpaid. Kaukua continued for 160,000 and Tantillo just called again.

The turn changed the hand entirely as the {a-Clubs} came off to send Kaukua into the lead with a pair aces. Kaukua jammed all in and Tantillo called.

The river missed the heart draw as the {q-Clubs} came off and just like that Tantillo was eliminated.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Toni Kaukua fi
Toni Kaukua
8,070,000
1,250,000
1,250,000
Profile photo of Fausto Tantillo it
Fausto Tantillo
Busted
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Fausto TantilloToni Kaukua

Level: 29

Blinds: 80,000/160,000

Ante: 160,000

Ustimov Lays Down the Best Holding

Level 28 : Blinds 60,000/120,000, 120,000 ante

Andreas Christoforou jammed under the gun for 1,760,000 with the {a-Hearts}{10-Diamonds}.

Viktor Ustimov had the {a-Clubs}{q-Clubs} in the bug blind and thought for a while before he laid down the best pre flop holding.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Toni Kaukua fi
Toni Kaukua
6,820,000
220,000
220,000
Profile photo of Joseph Mouwad lb
Joseph Mouwad
2,505,000
-145,000
-145,000
Profile photo of Andreas Christoforou cy
Andreas Christoforou
2,060,000
260,000
260,000
Profile photo of Viktor Ustimov ru
Viktor Ustimov
1,490,000
180,000
180,000
Profile photo of Roman Kolotiuk ru
Roman Kolotiuk
1,060,000
-205,000
-205,000
Profile photo of Fausto Tantillo it
Fausto Tantillo
770,000
-230,000
-230,000
Day 2 Chip Leader

Tags: Andreas ChristoforouViktor Ustimov

Kaukua Punishes Christoforou's Raise

Level 28 : Blinds 60,000/120,000, 120,000 ante

Toni Kaukua raised to 240,000 from the cutoff with the {j-Spades}{j-Clubs}. Andreas Christoforou three-bet from the big blind for 800,000 with the {k-Hearts}{8-Diamonds}.

Christoforou folded swiftly as he surrendered a few chips to the chip leader.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Toni Kaukua fi
Toni Kaukua
6,600,000
Profile photo of Andreas Christoforou cy
Andreas Christoforou
1,800,000
-360,000
-360,000

Tags: Andreas ChristoforouToni Kaukua

Osman Ihlamur Eliminated in 7th Place ($28,700)

Level 28 : Blinds 60,000/120,000, 120,000 ante
Osman Ihlamur
Osman Ihlamur

Osman Ihlamur jammed all in from the button with the {k-Spades}{q-Clubs}. Toni Kaukua re-jammed with the {k-Clubs}{j-Clubs} from the small blind and everyone else folded.

The flop came down {a-Hearts}{q-Diamonds}{3-Hearts}. The turn was the {8-Diamonds} and the river spelled doom for Ihlamur as the {10-Spades} came off to bust him and end his final table from chip leader to out in 7th place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Toni Kaukua fi
Toni Kaukua
6,600,000
1,650,000
1,650,000
Profile photo of Osman Ihlamur tr
Osman Ihlamur
Busted

Tags: Osman IhlamurToni Kaukua

Level: 28

Blinds: 60,000/120,000

Ante: 120,000