Big Turnout Expected for $5,300 High Roller Kicking Off at 8 p.m.
The high-stakes action returns to the shores of North Cyprus with the prestigious $5,300 High Roller, set to begin tonight at 8 p.m. at the luxurious Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino as part of the 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series.
One of the most anticipated events on the schedule, the tournament boasts a hefty $750,000 guaranteed prize pool and will draw a mix of international crushers, regional regulars, and ambitious hopefuls eyeing a six-figure payday.
In 2024, it was Lebanon’s Walid Bou Habib, who outlasted 193 entries to win the $3,300 OPE Classic Cup, which held the same structure and format. Bou Habib sealed the win in dramatic fashion, eliminating both Julien Liarte and Antoine Hasbani in the same hand to earn the $132,000 first-place prize.
2024 Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walid Bou Habib | Lebanon | $132,000 |
| 2 | Julien Liarte | France | $90,000 |
| 3 | Antoine Hasbani | Lebanon | $60,000 |
| 4 | Konstantin Voronin | Russia | $41,500 |
| 5 | Iurii Saiapin | Russia | $32,500 |
| 6 | Jeremie Zouari | France | $26,500 |
| 7 | Fadi Nakhoul | Lebanon | $21,700 |
| 8 | Azamat Tulepbergenov | Kazakhstan | $17,150 |
The $5,300 High Roller follows a three-day structure with 40-minute levels throughout the event. Day 1 will play through eight levels before bagging up for the night. Players may still enter on Day 2, as late registration remains open until the end of Level 12. The deep structure means many notable names are expected to join throughout the first two days.
Day 1 Structure
| Level | Small Blind | Big Blind | Ante |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200 | 400 | 400 |
| 2 | 300 | 600 | 600 |
| 3 | 300 | 700 | 700 |
| 4 | 400 | 800 | 800 |
| 5 | 500 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 6 | 600 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| 7 | 800 | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| 8 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 1,500 |
Be sure to follow PokerNews for full coverage of the High Roller and all the exciting events from the 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series, including live updates, chip counts, photos, and more straight from the tournament floor.