Anthony Khouzami Bags Big as Record-Breaking Day 1c Pushes Main Event Higher
Day 1c of the $3,300 Main Event at the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series is in the books, and it was another record-breaking day inside the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. With 145 entries, this flight officially set the all-time Carmen Series record for Day 1c, surpassing the 135 entries from 2023. After eight levels of play, 75 players found a bag, securing their spot in Day 2, as the tournament continues to build toward what could be the biggest Main Event in Carmen's history.
Anthony Khouzami leads the way, finishing with an impressive 616,000 chips, putting him in strong contention heading into the next stage of the tournament. Hot on his heels is Maxim Toldin, who closed with 573,500, while Lukas Pazma (450,500) and Carlos Aoun (444,500) also locked up top stacks. With several notable names still in the mix, the competition is only getting tougher as the stakes continue to rise.
Day 1c Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Khouzami | Lebanon | 616,000 |
| 2 | Maxim Toldin | Russia | 573,500 |
| 3 | Lukas Pazma | Slovakia | 450,500 |
| 4 | Carlos Aoun | Lebanon | 444,500 |
| 5 | Tomer Lahav | Israel | 434,500 |
| 6 | Andrei Spataru | Romania | 349,000 |
| 7 | Dawid Smolka | Poland | 344,000 |
| 8 | Angelos Michael | Cyprus | 330,000 |
| 9 | Arunas Sapitavicius | Lithuania | 309,500 |
| 10 | Osman Aksu | Turkey | 299,000 |
With three flights now complete, the total field stands at 577 entries, with one final turbo flight—Day 1d—left to go. This last-chance flight features 25-minute levels, offering a fast-paced shot at survival. Late registration remains open until Level 14 on Day 2, meaning the final number is still climbing, and the prize pool continues to grow. The road to poker glory is narrowing, and with just one more opportunity to qualify, the pressure is on for those still looking to join the action.
Day 2 kicks off tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. local time, where all remaining players will come together to continue their quest for the title. The action is set to intensify as deep stacks, rising blinds, and the approaching money bubble set the stage for an unforgettable battle.
Remaining Main Event Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | Day 1d | 7:00 p.m. | 25 minutes |
| March 21 | Day 2 | 12:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| March 22 | Day 3 | 12:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| March 23 | Day 4 | 12:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
| March 24 | Day 5 | 1:00 p.m. | 60 minutes |
Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates, chip counts, and all the key hands as the action unfolds. With the stakes rising and the pressure mounting, you won’t want to miss a moment of the drama!