Mokrani takes down the poker series’ main event and pockets a huge payday
The 2024 Merit Poker Western Series $3,300 Main Event at Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino in North Cyprus has concluded. The 24 players on the final day played nearly ten 60-minute levels before France’s Mohamed Mokrani took the title over 672 entrants after beating Nichan Khorchidian heads-up to win the $342,500 top prize.
Only 24 players reached the final day, and with eleven holding 25 big blinds or less, the action was frantic from the start.
Amir Touma and Nariman Yaghmai were the first two players eliminated, while Khorchidian quickly built up his stack. After eliminating Azamat Tulepbergenov in the opening level, he would be one of the chip leaders before the final table.
Ketzer knocked out Ihar Soika in a brutal hand a short time later to tie Khorchidian for the chip lead.
Hadi Khordbin was the short stack at the final table and quickly fell in ninth place ahead of Day 1a chip leader Samy Barka, who Ketzer sent home in eighth place for $45,600. Antoine Hasbani (7th for $57,300), and Mustafa Ercan (6th for $69,100) would be the next two players sent to the rail.
Damir Zhugralin ($85,700) finished in fifth place and Khorchidian would oust Christophe Panetti ($114,400) in fourth, setting up three-handed play. After more than two hours, Mokrani eliminated Ketzer ($155,500) in third, entering heads-up play with a slight lead over Khorchidian.
Mokrani quickly picked off a Khorchidian ($252,500) bluff in the second hand, taking a 2:1 chip lead and flipped pocket nines to win the final hand and the $342,500 top prize.
