Championship Warm Up ($600)

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.

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

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♠ .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The WPT Cambodia Championship Warm Up wrapped up Day 2 at NagaWorld in Phnom Penh with the field trimmed from 113 players down to just eight finalists.

Sitting at the top of that lineup is Robert Sherwood with a stack of 4,275,000 (57 bb). Sherwood was chip leader for a large portion of the day then dropped down with 12 players left. He reclaimed the lead on a double up off Thomas Eychenne with A♦ Q♦ over K♠ T♠ just before they called it a day.

Sherwood is closely trailed by Ilya Firstov with 3,850,000 (51 bb) and rounding out the top three is Ali Hassan with 3,800,000 (51 bb). While the leaders have an edge over the rest, it is still anyone's game with the shortest sitting on a healthy 31 bb.

The remaining players are now guaranteed a minimum $7,122 payout while awaiting the champion is a hefty $52,383 along with a seat to WPT Prime worth $1,100.

The Championship Warm Up opened Day 2 with 113 players out of the 527 entries returning to action. Two levels in, the bubble round arrived with 67 players remaining. In a gutsy showdown, Pham Tien Dung's aggression was finally challenged by Ireland's Frank Lillis, calling a preflop shove by risking 30 bigs holding Ace-King. It paid off with a big double. Immediate following the win, Lillis delivered the bubble to the ailing Jingyi Wang with 8♠ 3♠ flush dusting A♥ J♠ . Lillis went on to finish in 47th place while Pham fared better in 34th place.

The players raced down for a spot at the final table. India's decorated Ankit Ahuja seesawed throughout the day and was grounded in 23rd place. Fellow countryman Dhaval Mudgal finished notches higher in 12th place. For Vietnam, Mai Bien also saw his stack swing and emptied out in 16th place. Their final hope was Thanh Ha Duong who just missed the unofficial final table in 10th place. The day ended shortly after the fall of Shane Pearce in 9th place.

Somuchpoker returns tomorrow for the final dash to the title. Stick with us for all of the action.

The aim for Day 2 was to play down to the official WPT final table of six players however with ten hours of play, the game was stopped at the final 8. Action resumes at 11:30 tomorrow, February 10, 2025.

Day 3 blinds resume at Level 26: 50,000-75,000 ante 75,000 with 46:24 remaining in the clock.

Here are the finalists:

Though Duong was ahead, it instantly changed on the flop with a higher pair for Firstov that maintained it to the end. Duong finished in 10th place.

Ilya Firstov defended his big blind then put in a strong check-raise of 325,000 on the flop 7♣ T♥ 3♠ . Robert Sherwood gave it some thought then relinquished his bet without any further challenge.

On a board A♥ Q♥ 2♦ 4♦ J♠ and 560,000 already weighing down the middle, more chips go in with Amir Abbas betting 450,000 and Ilya Firstov calling. Firstov then mucks to J♣ J♦ .

Robert Sherwood pressured raiser Ilya Firstov with a 425,000 three-bet and Firstov obliged. On the flop K♦ Q♠ 6♠ , Sherwood continued for 150,000, Firstov called then both checked the turn 6♦ . On the river A♦ Sherwood returned with an 800,000 bet, Firstov tank-called then quickly mucked to Sherwood's K♥ K♠ .

Cutoff player Thomas Eychenne raised then went down the streets with caller Ilya Firstov on the big blind. When the dealer spread K♦ J♣ 2♣ , Firstov Eychenne c-bet 40,000 and got a check-call from Firstov. Both players checked on the turn A♣ for a free river T♣ . Firstov jumped out with a bet of 215,000, Eychenne tanked then called for Firstov to show his T♠ 9♥ bluff. Eychenne took it down with a Q♦ J♥ straight.

Ilya Firstov initiates the action with a raise of 80,000, small blind Hassan Sey calls it. At the flop J♦ 3♣ 6♣ , Firstov continues for 60,000 and Sey calls again. On the turn Q♥ , Firstov fires another bet of 240,000, and this time the aggression pays off with a fold from Sey.

After Ilya Firstov opened 60,000 from hijack, big stacked Tero Laurila called then fired down the streets for 75,000 and 200,000. Firstov check-called and they headed to the river K♥ 9♥ 2♥ K♦ T♦ . Continuing the aggression, Laurila bet 450,000, Firstov tanked then shoved covering Laurila who snap-folded.