Breathless

Poker was once described as hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror, but the person who said that never played in the Merit Poker Room in Kyrenia, North Cyprus where the action is so fast that you have a hard time catching your breath. Take it from this breathless commentator who has a front row seat to the show put on by those who return time and time again to the beautiful Mediterranean venue.

Over the past couple of years, I have covered the Gangsters Series, Vintage Series, Western Series, and Carmen Series, always impressed by the attention to detail in how the event was branded and marketed. President of Merit Poker Songül Bekem and Media & Advertising Manager Ashkan Baghaee spare no expense to dress the room, costume the dealers and create a truly unique atmosphere.

the Italian players in attendance certainly embraced the sweet life

The theme for the past fortnight was “La Dolce Vita,” conjuring images from Fellini’s 1960 masterpiece about the glamorous, seductive, but ultimately vacuous celebrity world. The Italian players in attendance certainly embraced the sweet life, overcoming the Great Milanese Button Shortage of 2024 to bring style, swagger and sprezzatura to the felt.

Zargaran wins the IPO Masters

Week one of the “La Dolce Vita” livestream showcased rip-roaring action from the Mystery Bounty, the Ladies’ event, and the Pot-Limit Omaha bounty won by Azamat Tulepbergenov, Oksana Dobrodichuk, and Zorlucan Er, respectively. The highlight of the early streams, however, was the $1,100 IPO Masters, which obliterated its $500,000 guarantee with a total of 937 entrants battling it out for the $146,600 top prize.

Zargaran put on a virtuoso performance

Iranian player Danesh Zargaran brought the chip lead to the final table and never looked back, overcoming challenges from fellow Iranian Houman Sahafi and top Italian pro Candido Cappiello. Despite his lack of tournament experience, Zargaran put on a virtuoso performance, dominating the endgame and ultimately getting to heads-up versus Cappiello with a 14-1 lead.

Speaking at the end of the tournament, Zargaran was modest in victory: “I ran really good. It was hard, but I think I played it well. Two or three moments helped me to be the chip leader. I was lucky. You have to be lucky when you win the tournament. For sure you have to be lucky, and I’m very happy.”

The fourth great escape

Quoted in “La Dolce Vita,” the great English poet and wit Iris Tree said: “The three great escapes—smoking, drinking, bed.” I would add a fourth…playing or watching poker. Week 2 coverage of the Series was all about the Main Event, La Notte Degli Assi, a $2,200 buy-in with a generous five-day structure.

Picking up the action from Day 2 onwards, myself and co-commentators Ali Nejad, James Dempsey, and Andrew Hedley were treated to plenty of deep-stacked action from the vantage point of the new booth in the Onyx Club, Merit Casino’s opulent new high roller area.

took the tournament by the scruff of the neck with some relentless aggression

The final day and final table were dominated by the Italian contingent who threatened to take every spot on the podium. That was until the rise of Israel’s Tuval Garbi (aka “Dashinka”) who took the tournament by the scruff of the neck with some relentless aggression.

Fearless

With five left, Dashinka was up against seasoned campaigner Fausto Tantillo, talented up and comer Simone Andrian, the wily and unpredictable Raffaele Castro, and the ever-thoughtful Ermanno Pacini. He was up to the test, treating the viewers to a fearless brand of poker, taking the trophy and the $355,000 first prize.

“La Dolce Vita” has one of those great endings which resonates because it echoes back to a line of dialogue and image from earlier in the story, prompting the viewer to think back to that reference and speculate on a deeper meaning. Poker tournaments can be similar and from the point of view of the commentator, whose job it is to help weave storyline, I am often struck by how, in the closing moments of a victory, I am thrown back to a key hand.

With that in mind, Dashinka changed the tone of the contest when he five-bet shoved Ace-Jack suited over the top of what initially seemed like a well-timed Tantillo cold four-bet with Ace-Queen. Context is important and, at that time, Dashinka and Tantillo were one and two in chips. The potential for catastrophe was huge, but Dashinka’s read was nailed on and taking that spot and forcing the fold, he completely changed the complexion of the final table.