Nine Nationalities Unite at High Roller Final Table with Simone Andrian in Contention
The stage is set for an epic conclusion to the $5,300 High Roller at the 2024 Merit Poker Gatsby Gala Series, where just nine players remain from the original 103-entry field. After a quick-paced Day 3, it took less than six 40-minute levels to carve the field from 31 players down to the final table at the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. Leading the way is Angelos Michael of Cyprus, who dominated the action to bag a towering stack of 2,975,000 chips heading into Day 4.
This final table showcases the global appeal of the Merit Poker Series, with players from nine different nations represented. The event attracts competitors from all corners of the world, highlighting its reputation as a premier destination for high-stakes poker. From local talent to international stars, the diverse lineup underscores the prestige of this event.
Final Table Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angelos Michael | Cyprus | 2,975,000 | 99 |
| 2 | Zhen Chen | China | 2,345,000 | 78 |
| 3 | Simone Andrian | Italy | 1,470,000 | 49 |
| 4 | Felipe Ketzer | Brazil | 875,000 | 29 |
| 5 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 820,000 | 27 |
| 6 | Aleksandr Chernikov | Russia | 605,000 | 20 |
| 7 | Adrian State | Romania | 530,000 | 18 |
| 8 | Elie Saad | Lebanon | 490,000 | 16 |
| 9 | Mehmet Demirkol | Turkey | 205,000 | 7 |
Michael leads the pack after a stellar Day 3 performance, followed by Zhen Chen of China, who amassed 2,345,000 chips and played a pivotal role in bursting the final table bubble. Italy's Simone Andrian continues his strong run at the series with 1,470,000 chips, building on his success earlier this year when he won the $2,200 Warm-Up in January for an impressive $165,000. Brazil's Felipe Ketzer and Bulgaria’s Fahredin Mustafov, with 875,000 and 820,000 chips respectively, will both look to use their vast experience to climb the leaderboard.
Further down the counts, Aleksandr Chernikov of Russia brings 605,000 chips to the table, while Elie Saad, a former Merit Main Event champion from Lebanon, enters with 490,000 chips, drawing on his familiarity with this venue and high-stakes pressure. Romania's Adrian State will begin with 530,000 chips, and Mehmet Demirkol of Turkey rounds out the field with 205,000 chips, looking for an early double-up to get back in contention.
Play gets underway at 1 p.m. and blinds resume at Level 22 (15,000/30,000 with a 30,000 big blind ante), with just under 10 minutes remaining. The players are competing for their share of the $473,800 prize pool, with the champion set to take home $132,300, while the ninth-place finisher secures $13,100.
Remaining Payouts
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $132,300 |
| 2 | $91,500 |
| 3 | $58,800 |
| 4 | $43,600 |
| 5 | $32,000 |
| 6 | $26,000 |
| 7 | $21,400 |
| 8 | $17,100 |
| 9 | $13,100 |
Stay tuned to PokerNews for live coverage as nine players from across the globe battle for the trophy, the top prize, and their place in Merit Poker history!