Chengyu Liao, an Istanbul-based non-professional who said he flew to North Cyprus specifically for the weekend to play poker, won the $7,500 High Roller at the 2026 NOIR Poker Series at Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, taking home $300,000 in first-place prize money, according to PokerNews.
PokerNews reported that the final day began with 16 players returning, and that Liao had re-entered the event after busting his first bullet. The field included players PokerNews described as WSOP bracelet winners, EPT and WPT Main Event champions, and a player who leads his country’s all-time money list. Among those eliminated before the final table were Dmitry Gromov, who was the first player out on the day, followed by Tobias Peters in 14th place and Arsenii Karmatckii in 10th. Geoffrey Mooney exited in ninth place for $30,060, and Julian Pineda Lozano’s elimination reduced the field to seven.
The remaining finishers, per PokerNews, were Leonid Orman in seventh ($51,000), Yesset Aimukhanov in sixth ($64,000), Daniil Kiselev in fifth ($80,000), Zorlu Er in fourth ($100,000), and Gor Musinyan in third ($142,000). Liao then faced Giorgiy Skhulukhiya heads-up, with PokerNews reporting that Skhulukhiya held a slight chip lead at the start of that phase. Liao said he did not have much heads-up experience, but took the chip lead when his flopped set held against Skhulukhiya’s combo draw. Liao clinched the title when a subsequent preflop collision went in his favor.
Liao, who said he works in Istanbul and does not play poker professionally, told PokerNews he planned to celebrate by spending time with friends and had no grand plans for the prize. PokerNews noted it would continue coverage of the NOIR Poker Series $5,500 Main Event at the same venue.
