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MPP Main Event Set to Play Down to a Winner as 15 Return in Contention for $1,000,000 Top Prize
The 972 entry field to the 2026 Mediterranean Poker Party Main Event has now reached the final 15 players, who will return to Merit Crystal Cove Casino to play for the massive $1,000,000 top prize as the tournament plays down to a winner on Day 3.
Danesh Zargaran heads into the Final Day as the chip leader with 24,950,000 and is looking for his biggest ever score.
Only slightly behind in second place is Ivan Bryksin with 22,450,000, while Mehmet Biskin rounds out the top three with 20,525,000.
Also still in contention is two-time WSOP bracelet winner Manig Loeser, returning in the middle of the pack with 12,025,000, as well as the reigning and defending champion Daniel Thaller, who is looking to spin up his 7,050,000 stack to go back-to-back in the Main Event.
End of Day 2 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danesh Zargaran | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 24,950,000 | 83 |
| 2 | Ivan Bryksin | Russian Federation | 22,450,000 | 75 |
| 3 | Mehmet Biskin | Turkey | 20,525,000 | 68 |
| 4 | Raphael Schreiner | Austria | 20,325,000 | 68 |
| 5 | Daniil Kiselev | Russian Federation | 16,400,000 | 55 |
| 6 | Kirill Solovev | Russian Federation | 13,825,000 | 46 |
| 7 | Manig Loeser | Germany | 12,025,000 | 40 |
| 8 | Timo Vogt | Germany | 11,500,000 | 38 |
| 9 | Nikolay Baryshnikov | Russian Federation | 10,700,000 | 36 |
| 10 | Jordan Woodall | Germany | 9,875,000 | 33 |
| 11 | Farbod Nazari | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 9,700,000 | 32 |
| 12 | John Doe K | Lebanon | 8,375,000 | 28 |
| 13 | Daniel Thaller | Austria | 7,050,000 | 24 |
| 14 | Naji Tannoury | Lebanon | 5,400,000 | 18 |
| 15 | Vadzim Godzdanker | Belarus | 3,725,000 | 12 |
Returning players are all guaranteed at least $31,000, but will have their eyes firmly set on the six-figure sums that await the final tablists who make the top spots. First place is set to walk away with the trophy and $1,000,000.
| Place | Prize | Prize | Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000,000 | 7 | $110,000 |
| 2 | $621,000 | 8 | $80,000 |
| 3 | $420,000 | 9 | $60,000 |
| 4 | $290,000 | 10 -11 | $47,000 |
| 5 | $210,000 | 12 -13 | $47,000 |
| 6 | $150,000 | 14 -15 | $31,000 |
Day 3 commences at 1 p.m. local time. Action resumes on Level 25 with blinds on 150,000/300,000 with a 300,000 big blind ante. By the end of the day, a champion will be crowned.
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