MERIT POKER / Songül BEKEM

$25.500 MAIN EVENT HAS A CHAMPION 🏆 It had been a while since Raoul Kanme last had a reason to smile at a Merit final table. He had made the trips. Played the series. Put in the hours. Noir came and went without the result he wanted. Onyx started, and once again, he was back in the mix. Then came the $25.500 Main Event. A serious field. A final table full of names who knew exactly what they were doing. A battle that stayed tight all the way to four-handed play. This time, Raoul didn’t just make the final table, he took the whole thing down for $1.250.000. The Dutchman dedicated the victory to his cousin, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, giving an already special win a deeply personal meaning. Some wins are about the money. Some carry much more with them. Congratulations, Raoul. This one was worth waiting for!

IMPORTANT MPP UPDATE ❗️ A quick date change for your calendars: Mediterranean Poker Party — Chapter IV will now take place September 14–24. 📌 Please save the new dates, and disregard the September 17–27 dates in our previous announcement. See you in Cyprus 🌊

NINE LEFT. ONE TITLE. The Onyx Main Event final table is underway. Raoul Kanme leads the final nine, with Daniel Rezaei right behind him. At the other end of the counts, Fahredin Mustafov returns with just three big blinds. And at the top of the payout ladder: $1.250.000 for the champion. Watch the final table with hole cards and commentary.

SPECIAL EARLY BIRD 🦅 A little extra for those who are ready to play from the first hand. Players who take their seats from the start of Event #7 $30.300 Single RE (14/08) will have their registration fee fully refunded. Just one condition: be in the initial seat draw before the 1:00 PM start. Early birds get their entry fee back.

PLAYERS’ PARTY AT THE ROOF 🪩 When the tables take a break, the night moves upstairs. On August 13 at 21:00, join us at The Roof Garden for an evening made for the Onyx crowd: great music, cocktails, and a little time away from the felt. Whether you’ve just finished a deep run, are waiting for your next level, or simply want to step away from the tables for a while, come upstairs. 🗓️ August 13 | 21:00 📍 The Roof Garden Royal 🍸 Onyx Players’ Party See you on the rooftop!

POKER CURIOSITIES 🎬 Onyx is currently bringing plenty of poker stars to the tables at Merit Royal Diamond. But here's another question: how many stars are actually hiding in poker? Not long ago, we gave you seven footballers who traded boots for chips. Now we're moving to Hollywood, music and the rest of celebrity culture. Because sometimes the person sitting across the table has an Oscar nomination, a platinum record, or a Spider-Man suit somewhere in the closet 😄 Seven celebrities who didn't just pose with a deck of cards: Ben Affleck — won the 2004 California State Poker Championship for $356.400, beating a field that included Tobey Maguire. Not a movie scene. An actual poker title. Jennifer Tilly — actress, Oscar nominee and WSOP bracelet winner. In 2005, she took down the $1.000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em event for $158,625. She called the bracelet better than an Oscar. Tobey Maguire — Spider-Man has been playing poker for years. In 2026, he testified that he had won more than $7 million in private poker games. Shannon Elizabeth — the American Pie actress became a serious tournament player, finishing third in the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Championship for $125.000. She later finished runner-up in the 2010 Ante Up for Africa event. James Woods — Oscar-nominated actor and longtime WSOP regular. In 2018, he reached the final table of the $1.500 Dealer’s Choice and finished 5th for $23.686. Matt Damon — Rounders made him Mike McDermott. In 2009, Damon actually took that poker persona to the WSOP, playing the $5.000 Ante Up for Africa charity event and busting just before the money. Nelly — the rapper has also put his cards where his music is. He played the 2007 WSOP Main Event, eventually busting after getting it in with top pair against two pair.

THE PREMIERE HAS A CHAMPION 🏆 After 507 entries and a final table packed with serious firepower, the $10.400 Premiere has found its winner: Asaf Yehiel Groofi. For Asaf, this one hits differently. He has been coming to Merit for around 15 years, playing both tournaments and cash games, and has long been one of the familiar faces we’re always happy to see around the tables. This time, he happened to be here with his family and plenty of poker friends, and ended up taking down one of the biggest titles of his Merit journey. With $1.000.000 on top 💰 The final heads-up was no easy assignment either: Asaf faced Mikita Badzyakouskiy and came out on top. And the rest of the final table was every bit as tough, making this a victory that deserves serious respect. Congratulations, Asaf. What a time to be at Merit 🏆

ONYX GOES LIVE 🎥 The first Onyx Stream is here. Tune in for Final Day of the $10.400 Premiere, with the remaining field now playing for their share of the prize pool. Payouts: 1️⃣ $1.000.000 2️⃣ 585.000 3️⃣ 375.000 4️⃣ 260.000 5️⃣ 190.000 6️⃣ 140.000 7️⃣ 110.000 8️⃣ 89.000 9️⃣ 74.000 The cameras are rolling! See you live 🍿

ONYX HAS ITS FIRST CHAMPION 🏆 The first Onyx trophy has found its owner, and there could hardly be a more familiar face to take it home. Hasan “El Patron” Nashar has claimed the $5.200 Super Turbo title, defeating a 28-entry field to become the first champion of the Onyx High Roller Series. A familiar presence at Merit tables for years, Hasan adds another trophy to his collection, and his second Onyx title, proving once again why he remains one of the most recognisable players in our poker community. The first Onyx trophy of the series now has a name on it. And knowing El Patron, this probably won’t be the last one. Congratulations, Hasan 👏

SUNDAY MOVIE 🍿 This week's pick isn't really about poker - but there's just enough of a connection to sneak it into the lineup. "Poker Face" follows Charlie Cale, a woman with an unusual gift: she can always tell when someone's lying. After crossing the wrong casino boss, she loses her job and hits the road, solving a new murder every episode, wherever she lands. Natasha Lyonne carries the whole thing with her signature dry charm, and while the show has almost nothing to do with actual poker, the title and Charlie's casino past give it just enough of an excuse. Think less card strategy, more people-reading, the kind of instinct every good player relies on at the table. Sharp, funny, and easy to binge one case at a time. 🎥 Poker Face (2023)

ONYX IS UNDERWAY 💎 Yesterday, Merit Royal Diamond moved straight from Noir into a very different kind of poker as the Onyx High Roller Series got underway. The opening flight of the $10.400 Premiere attracted 178 entries, putting the first serious number on the board for a tournament carrying a $5.000.000 guarantee. Today, Day 1B brought another 125 entries, with the flight still in action. That puts the Premiere at 303 entries so far, with two more starting flights still to come tomorrow. And the Premiere is only the opening act. The days ahead bring $25.500 Main Event, the $50,500 Onyx High Roller Championship, high-stakes cash games and live coverage from the Onyx club! Noir is over. Onyx has taken its place, and the stakes have gone up 🔝

A LETTER FROM SONGÜL BEKEM 💬 Dear players, As the final tournaments of the Noir Series approached their conclusion and the last cards are about to be dealt, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible days we have shared together! Over the past weeks, Merit Royal Diamond has welcomed players from all over the world, each bringing their own ambitions, stories, and unforgettable moments to the tables. From the opening event to the final chapters now unfolding, Noir has once again shown what makes live poker so special: competition, emotion, and a community united by the game. One thing is already certain: this festival has created memories that will stay with us long after the final river card. See you at the tables! Songül Bekem President of Merit Poker ♠️

A TITLE YEARS IN THE MAKING 🏆 For years, Selahaddin Bedir has been one of the defining faces of poker in Turkey. A Super High Roller Bowl champion. A Merit Poker Classic High Roller champion. A Warm Up champion. A familiar presence at final tables of every caliber. One of the most respected regulars at Merit Poker. And now, one more title joins the collection! After countless deep runs and years spent competing on the biggest stages, Bedir has finally conquered the Main Event, adding the one trophy that had eluded him for so long. With this victory, the Turkish legend climbs past the $7 million mark in live tournament earnings and further strengthens his place among the greatest players his country has ever produced. Some victories are surprises. Others simply feel inevitable. Congratulations, Selahaddin, the new Noir Main Event champion 🏆

THE NUMBERS ARE IN 💰 The Noir Main Event is now playing for $3.608.148, with an incredible $525.000 waiting for its future champion. From this point on, every elimination changes someone's trip, someone's bankroll and, for a few players, maybe even their career. To everyone still in the field — good luck. The biggest moments of Noir are still ahead. And for everyone following the action from afar... perhaps this payout sheet is all the motivation you need not to miss the next Merit Poker festival.

THE HUNT FOR MYSTERIES 🎞️ Mystery Bounty arrives at Noir tomorrow, bringing a $300.000 guarantee and three opening flights before the remaining players reunite for Day 2. Each player begins with 100.000 chips, while late registration remains open for ten levels in every flight. Day 1A and Day 1B are played 5th august with 30-minute levels, while Day 1C speeds things up next day with 15-minute levels for those willing to take the faster route. But the real story starts on Day 2. Once the field reaches the money, every remaining player receives a Mystery Bounty token. Eliminate an opponent, collect their token, and discover what's inside! There is plenty of room to maneuver early on: the opening level starts at 200/500, giving everyone 200 big blinds to work with. Re-entries are unlimited, and with three separate flights available, players have multiple chances to make their way into the mystery. 🐣 Keep in mind that players who register before the start of Day 1A receive a 10% early-bird bonus, increasing their starting stack to 110.000 chips.

MEDITERRANEAN POKER PARTY IV 🌊 Eleven days, one coastline and a schedule built for long sessions and even longer memories. From the opening cards of the $2.000.000 Global Poker Championship to the final hand of the $5.000.000 Main Event, this September, Merit Crystal Cove becomes home to another chapter of the Mediterranean Poker Party. Mystery bounties, late-night turbos, Omaha, the Women's Championship and, of course, the return of the festival's biggest stages - the full schedule for MPP IV has officially arrived! 🗓️ September 17–27 📍 Merit Crystal Cove, North Cyprus The countdown starts now!

SATELLITES TO ONYX SHR ⭐️ Today and tomorrow, we have plenty of satellites on the schedule – most of them for the Noir Poker Series Main Event. But there are also two special satellites for Onyx HRS, the $10.400 Premiere tournament that will take place here at Merit Royal Diamond Hotel right after the Noir ends. ▪️ August 4 at 22:00 – $1.100 satellite with 3 guaranteed seats worth $10.400 each. ▪️ August 6 at 20:00 – $1.550 satellite with 10 guaranteed seats worth $10.400 each. We’ve already shared more details about Onyx HRS on our channel 🚀

A HIGH ROLLER STORY FOR THE AGES 🏆 When the cards went back in the air on the final day of the Noir High Roller, Chengyu Liao 🇨🇳 was surrounded by some of the toughest regulars in the game. The remaining field was packed with experienced professionals, players accustomed to the biggest stages and the highest stakes. And yet, it was Chengyu Liao who outlasted them all. Before arriving at Merit, his recorded live tournament earnings stood at just $15.913, with a career-best score of $5.627. Tonight, in a single tournament, he earned almost twenty times more than he had won in his entire poker career combined, taking home the $300.000 first prize in the Noir High Roller. It's the kind of result that reminds everyone why poker remains unlike any other game. Statistics, experience and reputation all matter, but sometimes a player finds himself in the perfect moment, rises to the occasion and writes a completely unexpected story. From a career total of less than sixteen thousand dollars to the biggest title of the series so far, Chengyu Liao has just produced one of the most remarkable sensation of Noir. Congratulations on an unforgettable victory 🏆

THE MAIN EVENT AWAITS 🎞️ The centerpiece of Noir arrives on tomorrow. The $5.500 Main Event features a $3.000.000 guarantee and four starting flights spread across three days, but there's one detail that makes its structure different from most tournaments. Every Day 1 flight is played all the way down to the money, meaning that everyone who returns for Day 2 on August 5 will already have locked up a payout. Each flight plays down to the final 15% of the field. Players begin with 100.000 chips, good for 200 big blinds. The pace gradually increases: Days 1A and 1B feature 40-minute levels, Day 1C switches to 30-minute levels, while Day 1D trims them down to just 20 minutes. Late registration remains open for ten levels in every flight, and re-entries are unlimited, giving players four different routes into Noir's biggest tournament. For some, the journey begins on Sunday afternoon. For others, it won't start until Tuesday evening. Players may qualify for Day 2 more than once, with every additional qualification worth a minimum cash equal to 1.5 buy-ins. Either way, Day 2 begins with one thing guaranteed: everyone is already in the money! 🐣 Keep in mind that 10% early bird stack boost available only for Day 1A.