button in SafariDay 1a of the Prestigious Merit Poker Cup
It is time to rock-out on the raki, as the 2026 Mediterranean Poker Party is in full swing with the start of the $3,500 Merit Poker Cup at the beautiful Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino in Cyprus.
The Merit Poker Cup has a guarantee of $1,000,000 and players will have to stump up the $3,500 buy-in to have a shot at the massive prize pool. This event was last held in 2022, which was won by Merit Poker Pro Georgios Tsouloftas for a massive $264,065 pay day.
Play gets underway at midday local time, with a 40 minute clock, and 15-minute breaks scheduled after every three levels. Late registration is available until the end of level nine, and play will continue until 15% of the field are left where they will be in the money.
Players who advance will return on Tuesday at midday to duke it out for the prestigious Merit Poker Cup. For those who don't make it they will have a second opportunity on Monday with Day 1b, which will be their last chance to make it to the final day.
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Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates of the $3,500 Merit Poker Cup as reporters follow this event, and others from the 2026 MPP.