Championship Warm Up ($600)

After three days of intense play, German pro Martin Sedlak emerged victorious over this season's WPT Cambodia Championship Warm Up, claiming his first-ever WPT title. Sedlak came out on top of the 527-entry field, taking with him $45,578 in winnings, plus a WPT Prime seat worth $1,100, following a heads-up deal with Kazakhstan’s Ilya Firstov.

"Normally, I don't make heads-up deals. I prefer to play it out," said Sedlak. "But I underestimated how deep the stacks still were and how slow the structure was. After an hour and a half, we still had the same stacks, so we decided to make the deal. But I wanted to try at least."

The final day began with eight players returning back to the scene, all stacking above the 30 big blind mark. While a lot of room for play was expected, the first elimination came just two hands in, as Thomas Eychenne was knocked out after taking a bad beat from Ali Hassan. The next four eliminations were all delivered by Firstov, putting him at a great advantage once the payouts bore more weight. Sedlak on the other hand, found his turning point once the field was down to the final three, having won a crucial flip against Hassan for over sixty big blinds. This sprung Sedlak just ten big blinds behind Firstov onto the final duel.

The two battled back and forth for over an hour, with Sedlak gaining a 3:1 lead at one point. Firstov however, managed to bounce back in the game, leaving both to finally cut an even chop, which guaranteed both $44,000 each in winnings, while leaving the remaining $1,578, the coveted WPT trophy, along with the WPT Prime entry on the table. Another hour of play followed, with Sedlak gradually wearing down his opponent. The final hand eventually saw Firstov go all-in with king-eight for his last sixteen big blinds, only to be called by Sedlak with king-queen. No help came on the board, denying Firstov a career maiden win, and securing Sedlak the final victory.

When asked about his first time playing in WPT, Sedlak replied "So far, it's very nice. I really like the casino. I like Cambodia a lot. It's very nice place."

Championship Warm Up

Date/s: February 7-10, 2025

Buy-in: USD 600

Guarantee: USD 150,000

Entries: 527

Prize pool: USD 274,943

ITM: 66 places

Final Table Results

Ilya Firstov open jammed his remaining 9,750,000 (16 BB) in and was looked up by final opponent Martin Sedlak.

Firstov in rough shape, settled for a runner up finish after board 2♠ J♥ A♦ 5♦ 2♥ failed to save him from his demise.

Another limp pot between Martin Sedlak and Ilya Firstov saw action on board 8♣ 4♣ 2♠ 5♣ 9♣ check all the way down to the river. Firstov led a final 700,000, called by Sedlak to showdown.

Firstov showed flush 3♦ 2♣ and won the pot after Sedlak revealed no clubs K♠ 9♠ .

Martin Sedlak limped in on the button and Ilya Firstov checked his option.

On board Q♠ Q♣ 2♠ 7♥ , Sedlak double barreled - 500,000 and 1,500,000, and left Firstov unable to continue by the turn.

A limp pot between Ilya Firstov and Martin Sedlak dealt a flop of 3♥ 2♥ 9♣ . Both players checked to turn 6♦ , where Sedlak bet 2,000,000 checked to him once more. Firstov didn't hesitate to give up the fight and dropped down below the 10 million mark.

Another limp pot rolled a flop of J♣ 6♥ 4♥ . Action checked to turn 7♣ , where Ilya Firstov led for 1,200,000. Martin Sedlak called behind, and fired an overbet of 3,500,000 on river 4♣ , checked to him. Firstov snap folded, shipping his opponent the lead once more.

Martin Sedlak limped in on the button and Ilya Firstov checked his big blind option.

Action on flop A♠ 7♦ 9♦ was checked round to turn 5♣ , where Firstov check called 600,000 from his opponent. On river 6♥ , Firstov went ahead and led 2,000,000, enough to get Sedlak to lay it down.

Martin Sedlak has been picking up the blinds and antes over the past three deals, and secured another one after a limp pot saw Ilya Firstov check fold right on the flop.

The final two players, Martin Sedlak and Ilya Firstov, have agreed to an even chop, guaranteeing both $44,000 each in winnings. Play will continue for the remaining $1,578, the coveted WPT trophy, along with the seat to WPT Prime worth $1,100.

Martin Sedlak limp called Ilya Firstov's all-in for 6,250,000 (15 BB), putting his opponent at risk.

Sedlak dominated, turned the tables as board T♣ 8♠ 5♠ T♠ ran him trip tens, up until the river 9♣ landed Firstov a straight to take it down.

Ilya Firstov limped in on the button and was met with a 900,000 raise from Martin Sedlak on the big blind. Firstov responded with an all-in for 6,250,000 (21 BB) and picked up the pot unchallenged.

Ilya Firstov limped in on the button and Martin Sedlak checked his option. On board A♣ Q♣ Q♦ 9♦ , Firstov double barreled - 300,000 and 1,000,000, with Sedlak check calling both streets. Firstov decided to slow down on river T♣ , checking it back for a showdown.

Sedlak showed two pair K♣ 9♠ , no good against Firstov's trip queens Q♥ 6♣ .

Another limp pot went underway, dealing a flop of 4♦ 4♣ J♦ . Ilya Firstov check called a 300,000 bet from Martin Sedlak and moved on to turn J♥ . Both checked it through to river 6♣ , pushing Firstov to fire 850,000. Sedlak slipped the fold and gave up the pot to his opponent.

Following two small pot wins, Martin Sedlak shipped another after a limp pot against Ilya Firstov rolled a flop of T♦ 2♦ 8♥ . Sedlak check called a 450,000 bet and arrived at showdown after no more bets went in on either turn 8♠ or river 2♣ .

Sedlak showed ace-high A♥ 7♠ and raked in another boost.

Ilya Firstov defended his big blind against Martin Sedlak's 500,000 button open, and check called another 750,000 on flop 5♠ 3♥ T♣ . Both checked turn A♠ through to river T♠ , where Sedlak fired a hefty 3,775,000 bet.

Firstov went deep in the tank and eventually made the call, only to muck as Sedlak revealed backdoor flush 7♠ 6♠ for the win.

Ilya Firstov completed his big blind vs Martin Sedlak's 500,000 button open, and headed to flop K♥ 9♥ 3♣ . Both checked to turn Q♦ , where Firstov led 800,000. Sedlak called behind, and checked back river Q♣ to showdown.

Firstov showed two pair K♣ 9♣ , inching the gap between the final two.

Martin Sedlak defended his big blind against Ilya Firstov's 500,000 button open, and went on to check call another 600,000 on flop 6♠ 9♦ 4♦ . On turn 4♠ , Sedlak led out a bet of 1,800,000, followed by a final 1,500,000 on river T♦ . Firstov called him down both streets, and mucked as Sedlak showed trip fours 4♣ 3♣ .

Martin Sedlak defended his big blind against Ilya Firstov's 500,000 button open, dealing a flop of A♦ 8♦ 9♣ on the felt. Both checked it through to turn 9♠ , where Firstov fired 400,000. Sedlak check called, and arrived at showdown after Firstov checked back river A♥ .

Sedlak showed a boat 9♦ 8♣ , leaving Firstov to muck behind.

Ilya Firstov limped in on the button and Martin Sedlak checked his option.

Action on flop 9♣ 6♠ 5♠ was checked through to turn 9♥ , where Firstov bet 300,000. Sedlak check called, and arrived at showdown shortly after no more bets went in on river A♣ .

Sedlak showed two pair A♦ 4♥ and raked in the pot.

Martin Sedlak defended his big blind against Ilya Firstov's 500,000 button open, yet folded after Firstov continued for 600,000 on flop 9♠ 3♦ 2♣ .

Only two players out of the 527-entry field remain in the running for this WPT season's Championship Warm Up games. Listed up top is $52,383 along with a seat to WPT Prime worth $1,100.

28 minutes is left on the Level 30 clock with blinds down to 20 minutes thereafter.

Chip Counts

Ali Hassan opened on the button and called off for his 2,175,000 (11 BB) stack after Martin Sedlak put him all-in.

Hassan in search of an ace, found none on board Q♣ 7♦ Q♥ 5♠ T♥ , shipping Sedlak the boost into heads up play while he headed for the rails.

Another blind vs blind confrontation saw Martin Sedlak limp call a 650,000 raise from table captain Ilya Firstov.

Sedlak check called 300,000 on flop K♦ K♣ 2♥ , revealing turn 2♣ . Both checked it through to river J♦ , where Firstov went for a final 1,050,000. Sedlak called down with two pair 5♦ 5♠ and shipped the win after Firstov played the board - 8♥ 4♦ .

Ilya Firstov opened 525,000 on the small blind and saw Ali Hassan right behind come along on flop K♥ Q♠ 3♣ . Firstov barreled 325,000 and went for another 500,000 on turn 5♠ , leaving Hassan to give it up by the second bet.

A blind vs blind battle saw Martin Sedlak limp call a 650,000 raise from Ilya Firstov right behind. On flop T♠ 8♥ 3♠ , Firstov continued for 400,000, and shipped the pot straight away after Sedlak was unable to find a call.

Two deals later, Sedlak defended his big blind against Firstov's 450,000 button, and check called another 300,000 on flop J♦ 8♣ 5♠ . Firstov however, followed with 450,000 on turn K♠ , earning him the pot once more after a quick fold from Sedlak.

Ilya Firstov opened utg, followed by a three bet to 850,000 from Ali Hassan. Martin Sedlak on the big blind, squeezed all-in for 4,425,000 (30 BB) and saw Hassan rise to the challenge.

A crucial flip, Sedlak immediately gained the advantage, having flopped top pair on board Q♣ 3♥ 2♦ 7♠ 8♥ to continue on.

Ilya Firstov opened on the button and called Mateusz Stanielewicz' jam for 1,250,000 (8 BB).

Stanielewicz at risk, was crushed to see his opponent land two pair on board 8♦ 7♠ 9♥ J♦ 3♦ to knock him out entirely.

Ilya Firstov raised all-in and saw Mateusz Stanielewicz right behind, call off for his last 550,000 (4 BB).

In for a race, Stanielewicz managed to hold on as board 4♥ Q♥ T♠ 9♠ 9♣ left his seven-high good for the take down.

Mateusz Stanielewicz opened 300,000 utg and saw Ilya Firstov complete his big blind.

Stanielewicz continued for 300,000 on flop J♣ 7♣ 3♥ , check called by his opponent. No bets went in on turn T♠ , peeling river 2♠ . Firstov led for 1,000,000, and showed two pair T♥ 7♠ for the win after Stanielewicz made the call.

Ali Hassan defended his big blind against Ilya Firstov's 300,000 button open, revealing flop Q♥ 8♠ T♠ . Action checked round to turn J♣ , where Firstov bet 300,000. Hassan check called onto river 8♣ , and paid another 475,000, only to muck as Hassan revealed straight 9♣ 6♠ .

A blind vs blind limp pot between Ali Hassan and Martin Sedlak read a flop of K♥ J♦ 4♣ . Hassan check called 150,000 and proceeded to turn Q♣ . Both checked it through to river 7♣ , where Sedlak went for a final 375,000.

Hassan looked him up with midpair Q♥ 9♦ and was awarded the pot after Sedlak flipped over bluff 8♣ 2♥ .

Mateusz Stanielewicz opened 300,000 utg, and saw Ilya Firstov complete on the big blind.

On board A♠ K♦ T♦ , Stanielewicz double barreled - 350,000 and 700,000, with Firstov check calling both streets. Firstov took initiative on river Q♥ and led for 1,700,000, denying Stanielewicz showdown entirely.

Mateusz Stanielewicz defended his button open and called a 675,000 three bet from Ali Hassan.

On flop A♣ Q♦ 6♥ , Stanielewicz called another 300,000 onto turn 3♠ . Both checked it through to river 8♥ , where Hassan checked once more. Stanielewicz went for a final 600,000, and showed top pair A♦ 9♦ for the win after Hassan put out the chips.

Robert Sherwood opened 800,000 utg, leaving himself with 75,000 behind. Amir Abbas called on the button, followed by a squeeze from Ilya Firstov. Both short stacks called off their remaining chips and found themselves in a three way pocket pair showdown.

Sherwood and Abbas dominated, bound for the exit as Firstov's hooks held all through board Q♣ Q♥ 9♣ A♦ 5♣ to deliver the double elimination.

Ilya Firstov defended his big blind against Ali Hassan's 300,000 cutoff open, and check called another 175,000 on flop A♦ T♣ 8♥ . On turn K♣ , Firstov let it go after Hassan barreled a heftier 525,000.

Martin Sedlak defended his big blind against Ilya Firstov's 325,000 button open, and went on to see flop Q♥ 6♦ 9♠ . Both checked it through to turn 3♠ , where Sedlak led for 600,000. Firstov made the call, and paid another 1,775,000 on river 4♣ , only to muck as Sedlak revealed two pair 6♥ 3♥ .

Ilya Firstov opened on the cutoff and was met with a 650,000 three bet from Mateusz Stanielewicz a seat after. Firstov answered with an all-in, pushing Stanielewicz out of the pot completely.

Hassen Sey fired a 1,555,000 three bet against an early open, leaving himself with one big blind behind. Ilya Firstov reshoved, and Sey flicked in the rest for a pocket pair showdown.

Sey in rough shape, found no help on board 8♠ 6♦ 5♦ Q♦ 2♥ , cutting his run in 7th place finish.

Mateusz Stanielewicz opened to 250,000 on the hijack, called behind by Ali Hassan on the button.

On board K♥ Q♠ J♦ J♠ 4♦ , Stanielewicz triple barreled - 225,000, 525,000 and a final 1,000,000, and was looked up by Hassan all the way to showdown.

Stanielewicz mucked, shipping Hassan the pot by default.

Amir Abbas opened on the hijack and was joined by Ilya Firstov behind, along with Robert Sherwood on the big blind.

Abbas continued for 125,000 on flop A♣ 7♦ 4♦ , called by Firstov onto turn 8♣ . Abbas checked, and folded after Firstov gunned 500,000.

Hassan Sey opened on the cutoff and called Ilya Firstov's shove behind for 1,450,000 (11 BB).

Dominated, Sey forked over half his stack as board 9♦ 2♣ T♥ 2♦ K♠ kept Firstov ahead all the way.

Mateusz Stanielewicz opened utg, and was called by Amir Abbas on the button along with Ilya Firstov on the big blind.

Action on board A♠ Q♥ 8♦ K♣ 9♥ was checked all the way down to the river, where Firstov made a 450,000 attempt. Stanielewicz called with two pair Q♠ 9♠ , exposing Firstov's bluff 5♠ 3♠ at showdown.

Hassan Sey opened utg+1 and tank called Mateusz Stanielewicz' jam for 2,625,000 (21 BB).

A crucial flip, Stanielewicz managed to keep ahead all the way through board 6♠ 4♠ 2♠ T♦ Q♠ , shipping a full double up his way with a flush.

Robert Sherwood raised all-in on the small blind for his last 1,400,000 (11 BB) and was called by chip leader Ali Hassan right behind.

Sherwood slightly ahead, was left in no sweat, having instantly spiked top pair on board A♠ 8♦ T♠ 6♥ 2♦ to rake in the double up.

Mateusz Stanielewicz defended his big blind against Hassan Sey's button open, and faced a 200,000 continuation bet on flop 2♠ 3♠ K♥ . Stanielewicz responded with an all-in and left Sey unable to continue.

Hassan Sey opened utg and was met with a 550,000 three bet from Robert Sherwood on the cutoff. Sey tank four bet jammed his entire 3,175,000 (32 BB), called by Sherwood with overcards for a flip.

Sey's ladies held on board 3♦ 9♥ 3♥ 6♠ 8♥ , keeping him in the running with a much bigger stack.

Ali Hassan opened 200,000 utg+1 and saw Mateusz Stanielewicz call from the big blind.

On board Q♥ 6♦ 6♣ 3♣ 3♠ , Hassan bet all the way - 100,000, 225,000 and a final 450,000, and saw Stanielewicz check call all three streets to showdown.

Hassan showed a flopped boat Q♦ Q♠ , leaving Stanielewicz to toss his hand back in the deck.

Ali Hassan opened 200,000 on the hijack, called behind by Amir Abbas on the button.

On flop 6♥ 5♠ 4♠ , Hassan check folded after Abbas pushed for his remaining 1,575,000.

Ali Hassan opened 200,000 utg and Robert Sherwood completed on the big blind.

On board 6♠ 4♣ Q♥ K♥ , Hassan double barreled - 100,000 and 225,000, leaving Sherwood to give it up by the turn.

Mateusz Stanielewicz defended his big blind against Amir Abbas' cutoff open, and headed to flop 9♦ 6♥ 7♥ . Both checked it through to turn A♠ , where Stanielewicz led for 150,000. Abbas called behind and revealed river A♥ . Stanielewicz checked to Abbas, pushing his opponent to fire 400,000.

Stanielewicz called to showdown and won the pot with trip aces A♣ 3♣ after Abbas revealed bluff K♣ T♦ .

Mateuz Stanielewicz opened to 200,000 on the button, joined by both Robert Sherwood and Ali Hassan on the blinds.

Action on flop Q♥ J♣ 3♣ was checked round to turn 6♦ . Hassan led for 225,000, and saw only Sherwood continue to river Q♠ . Both checked it down, revealing Sherwood's trip queens Q♣ T♣ for the pot.

Ali Hassan opened on the hijack and called a 450,000 three bet from Amir Abbas on the button.

On flop J♣ 2♣ 8♥ , Hassan check called a 200,000 bet from Abbas and headed to turn 5♥ . Both checked it through to river Q♦ , where Hassan led for 750,000. Abbas open folded A♠ K♦ , shipping his opponent the win.

Martin Sedlak opened 200,000 utg and Ali Hassan called on the big blind.

On flop 8♦ 9♦ T♥ , Hassan check raised to 525,000 after being faced with a small 75,000 continuation bet. Sedlak completed, and called another 350,000 on turn 8♣ . Hassan gunned for a final 675,000 on river J♠ , but folded after Sedlak pulled a raise to 1,800,000.

Hassan Sey opened 150,000 utg, called by Ali Hassan on the button.

Action on flop K♣ 4♥ 5♥ was checked round to turn 5♦ , where Sey led 175,000. Ali made the call, revealing river Q♥ . Sey checked to Ali, pushing him to go for a final 375,000. Sey gave it some thought, but opted to save his chips and toss his hand in the muck.

Ilya Firstov opened on the hijack and called a 400,000 bet from Robert Sherwood on the button.

Sherwood continued for 275,000 on flop T♦ 7♥ 6♠ , enough to get Firstov to lay it down.

Ali Hassan opened utg, called by Amir Abbas on the hijack along with Robert Sherwood on the big blind.

All three checked flop 9♦ 8♠ 6♠ through to turn Q♦ . Checked once more to Abbas, he bet 225,000. Sherwood continued to river T♣ , but missed to arrive at showdown after Abbas gunned for a final 350,000.

Amir Abbas opened on the button and called a 525,000 three bet from Hassan Sey on the small blind.

Sey continued for 300,000 on flop A♣ K♣ 5♠ , called once more by Abbas behind. On turn Q♦ , Sey was quick to give it up after Abbas lodged a 600,000 bet.

Hassan Sey defended his big blind against Ali Hassan's open, and check called a 250,000 bet on flop Q♦ 4♣ 4♠ . Both checked turn 8♠ through to river T♥ , where Sey led a final 350,000. Ali failed to get to showdown, earning Sey the boost.

Robert Kiss opened 150,000 on the button and saw both Ali Hassan and Martin Sedlak on the blinds come along on flop A♠ J♠ 3♠ .

Action checked round to turn 7♥ , where Hassan led 100,000. Martin Sedlak called to see turn 6♥ , but stepped away as Hassan went for another 375,000.

Thomas Eychenne opened to 150,000 and was met with a 325,000 three bet from Ali Hassan on the button. Eychenne responded with an all-in for 2,300,000 (30 BB), called by Hassan to put him at risk.

Drawing slim, Hassan was in luck to catch his two outer on board K♣ 7♠ J♥ 5♦ 4♥ , sending Eychenne out as the first casualty of the day.

A blind vs blind confrontation saw Ali Hassan limp call a 250,000 raise against Martin Sedlak.

Board A♣ 9♠ 3♠ 4♠ was checked twice to Sedlak, prompting him to fire a 300,000 delayed cbet by the turn. Hassan immediately surrendered, shipping Sedlak the first pot of the day.

Championship Warm Up final eight action begins, good luck to all the players!

The WPT Cambodia Championship Warm Up games is due to crown its champion today with its 527-entry field whittled to the final eight. While initially set to narrow down to six, all remaining players agreed to wrap up yesterday's Day 2 following ten levels of play.

Leading the charge for the lion's share of the $274,943 prize pool is UK's Robert Sherwood with 4,275,000 (57 BB), having claimed a last minute double up right as the day closed. Trailing just six big blinds behind are both Ali Hassan and Ilya Firstov, to round up the top three counts.

A ton of play however, is left on the table with all the remaining contenders stacking above the 30 big blind mark. Still anyone's game, each runner has a fighting chance to claim the $52,383 top prize along with a seat to WPT Prime worth $1,100, all while guaranteed $7,122 in winnings as they return to the felt for the final battle.

Play resumes at 11:30 local time, with 46 minutes left on the clock at Level 26: 50,000 / 75,000 ante 75,000. Stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!

Championship Warm Up

Date/s: February 7-10, 2025

Buy-in: USD 600

Guarantee: USD 150,000

Entries: 527

Prize pool: USD 274,943

ITM: 66 places

Final 8 Chip Counts

Final 8 live reporting begins on February 10, 2024 at 11:30 local time.