There is just one day left in the 2014 World Poker Tour (WPT) Merit Classic North Cyprus Main Event as the field was whittled down to the six-handed final table during Tuesday’s Day 4. After two days as the leader, Antonio Buonanno was unable to make it to Wednesday’s tournament conclusion; the chip leader going into the final table is Nicolas Chouity with 4.39 million chips.
It is a fairly spread out final table with a clear distinction between the “haves” and “have-nots.” After Chouity, there is a steep drop to the second place Alexander Lakhov, who has 3.13 million chips. It’s almost another million chips down to third place, Ori Miller, who has 2.27 million. Those three look like they easily have the best chance to take the crown. For the bottom three, it will take some more work. Toby Lewis, who has been near the top of the leaderboard for virtually the entire tournament, is in fourth place with 1.085 million. The short stacks are Dmitry Gromov with 815,000 chips and Igor Devkin with just 435,000.
As mentioned, Buonanno, who led the tourney going into both Days 3 and 4, was unable to make it to the final table. His demise started almost immediately when he and Oliver Price got into a raising war on a flop of J-8-7 until Buonanno eventually put Price all-in. Price held T-9 for a flopped straight, while Buonanno had pocket Kings, which were unable to improve. He went from 1.175 million to start the day to 542,000 in a matter of minutes. Buonanno did hold on for a long time, but that hit was too much to overcome and he was eliminated in ninth place.
Chouity’s most significant hand came on the unofficial final table bubble. With just 11 players remaining, he and Price raised and re-raised pre-flop until both were all-in, Chouity with A-K and Price with Q-Q. The flop came down Q-T-5, giving Price a set and a bigger lead. The turn, though, was a Jack, which turned the tables, as Chouity now had a straight. Price still had a number of outs, though, as not only could he fill up for a full house, but all the community cards were diamonds, so there was also a chance for a chopped pot if a fifth diamond showed up. The river was not the savior for Price, though, and he was gone in 11th place. That pot elevated Chouity to the chip lead, 2.5 million at the time.
The final table is currently underway at the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino as the six finalists all shoot for the $325,400 first prize.
2014 World Poker Tour Merit Classic North Cyprus Main Event – Final Table Chip Counts
1. Nicolas Chouity – 4,390,000
2. Alexander Lakhov – 3,130,000
3. Ori Miller – 2,270,000
4. Toby Lewis – 1,085,000
5. Dmitry Gromov – 815,000
6. Igor Devkin – 435,000