$3,300 Main Event | 2024 Merit Poker Western Series

01-25-2024 20:37 UTC+2

Damir Zhugralin Eliminated in 5th Place ($85,700)

Ryan Lashmar

Level 33 : Blinds 125,000/250,000, 250,000 ante

Damir Zhugralin opened to 500,000 and Nichan Khorchidian three-bet to 1,500,000 from the cutoff. Zhugralin four-bet to 2,900,000 and Khorchidian ripped in it, covering Zhugralin who had 7,800,000 behind. Zhugralin snap-called and was at risk.

Damir Zhugralin: A♥A♣
Nichan Khorchidian: A♦K♦

Zhugralin seemed to be in an excellent position to double up into the chip lead until the Q♦J♥10♠ flop gave Khorchidian the Broadway straight. The 5♣ turn left Zhugralin drawing dead and after the 6♣ river Khorchidian dragged in the biggest pot of the tournament so far while Zhugralin was sent to the rail in horrific fashion.

Player	Chips	Progress
Nichan Khorchidian	32,325,000 10,725,000	10,725,000
Felipe Ketzer	21,575,000 -25,000	-25,000
Mohamed Mokrani	6,625,000 -475,000	-475,000
Damir Zhugralin	Busted

Tags: Damir Zhugralin Nichan Khorchidian

01-25-2024 21:20 UTC+2

Christophe Panetti Eliminated in 4th Place ($114,400)

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Ryan Lashmar

Level 34 : Blinds 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Nichan Khorchidian opened to 600,000 from the button with A♦Q♥ and Felipe Ketzer called in the small blind with A♠K♦. Christophe Panetti defended from the big blind with 6♣3♣.

The flop came 4♥Q♣2♦ giving Khorchidian top pair. Action checked around to Khorchidian who bet 650,000 and received a call from both opponents.

Ketzer checked on the 6♠ turn and Panetti moved all in for 2,450,000. Khorchidian called with a covering stack to put Panetti at risk while Ketzer got out of the way.

Christophe Panetti: 6♣3♣
Nichan Khorchidian: A♦Q♥

Panetti needed a three, five or six to extend his tournament life but the A♥ river gave Khorchidian two pair, sending Panetti to the rail in fourth place while Khorchidian extended his lead over his remaining two opponents.

Player	Chips	Progress
Nichan Khorchidian	39,900,000 5,975,000	5,975,000
Felipe Ketzer	19,900,000 -300,000	-300,000
Christophe Panetti	Busted

Tags: Christophe Panetti Felipe Ketzer Nichan Khorchidian

01-25-2024 23:42 UTC+2

Felipe Ketzer Eliminated in 3rd Place ($155,000)

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Ryan Lashmar

Level 36 : Blinds 200,000/500,000, 500,000 ante

Felipe Ketzer moved all in from the small blind for 1,900,000 and was snap-called by Mohamed Mokrani who had the covering stack.

Felipe Ketzer: 9♣5♠
Mohamed Mokrani: K♣K♦

Things were looking grim for Ketzer on the Q♠2♠8♥ flop but he did pick up a gutshot on the 6♦ turn. He did not make a straight on the 3♥ river and had his deep run come to an end in third place.

The tournament will now go on a short break to set up for heads-up play.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mohamed Mokrani	38,300,000 3,100,000	3,100,000
Nichan Khorchidian	28,800,000
Felipe Ketzer	Busted

Tags: Felipe Ketzer Mohamed Mokrani

01-26-2024 00:03 UTC+2

Nichan Khorchidian Eliminated in 2nd Place ($252,000)

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Ryan Lashmar

Level 36 : Blinds 200,000/500,000, 500,000 ante

Mohamed Mokrani opened to 1,500,000 from the button and Nichan Khorchidian three-bet to 4,500,000 from the big blind. Mokrani moved all in, covering Khorchidian who had 16,000,000 behind. Khorchidian called and was at risk.

Nichan Khorchidian: A♣J♣
Mohamed Mokrani: 9♦9♣

The board ran out 8♦8♥4♦6♣K♥. Mokrani's pocket-nines held up throughout to win the final pot of the night, the title and the top prize of $342,000.