According to Poker News Daily, Chengyu Liao, an Istanbul-based recreational player who said he traveled to North Cyprus for a weekend poker trip, won the $7,500 High Roller at the 2026 NOIR Poker Series at Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa and earned $300,000 for first place.
Poker News Daily reported that 16 contenders came back for the final day, including Liao, who had already fired a second entry after losing his first. The publication said the lineup featured WSOP bracelet holders, champions from the EPT and WPT Main Events, and the top name on one country’s all-time money list. Before the official final table was reached, Dmitry Gromov was the first to depart, Tobias Peters bowed out in 14th, and Arsenii Karmatckii finished 10th; Geoffrey Mooney then took ninth for $30,060, and Julian Pineda Lozano went out next to leave seven players remaining.
Per Poker News Daily, Leonid Orman placed seventh for $51,000, Yesset Aimukhanov collected $64,000 in sixth, Daniil Kiselev earned $80,000 for fifth, Zorlu Er took fourth for $100,000, and Gor Musinyan finished third for $142,000. That left Liao and Giorgiy Skhulukhiya to play for the title, with Poker News Daily saying Skhulukhiya began that duel slightly ahead in chips. Poker News Daily also relayed Liao’s remark that heads-up play is not his usual format, and reported that he seized control after a flop that gave him a set held up against Skhulukhiya’s combo draw. The outlet said the championship was settled in another preflop all-in that favored Liao.
In post-victory comments summarized by Poker News Daily, Liao said he works in Istanbul, does not make his living from poker, and expected to mark the win by spending time with friends rather than making elaborate plans for the money. The outlet added that its reporting from the same venue would continue with the NOIR Poker Series $5,500 Main Event.
