As the global live circuit gears up for major festivals later on, High Roller players are seeking new attractions. In the US, for example, the PGT Kickoff just took place, and in Europe, the Onyx High Roller Series is heating up the tables at the Merit Royal Diamond Casino in Cyprus.
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The main highlight of the Onyx HR Series schedule over the weekend was the High Roller Championship, with a buy-in of no less than US$100,000. In total, the competition attracted 50 entries, and Jean-Robert Bellande from the USA emerged as the champion. In grand style, he pocketed an incredible US$1.5 million after defeating British businessman Rob Yong in heads-up.
Check out the final standings of the 100K High Roller Championship:
- Jean-Robert Bellande (USA) – US$1,500,000
- Rob Yong (UK) – US$1,000,000
- Markkos Ladev (Estonia) – US$700,000
- Pieter Aerts (Belgium) – US$515,000
- Thomas Eychenne (France) – US$375,000
- Emilien Pitavy (France) – US$280,000
- Biao Ding (China) – US$230,000
- Gha Iakobishvili (Russia) – US$200,000
A recreational player, Bellande achieved his biggest career prize in live MTTs with this feat, according to Hendon Mob. In the database, he now surpasses US$4.5 million in earnings shortly after returning from a hiatus between 2019 and 2025. In 2018, he even won a WSOP bracelet by winning Event 58 (US$5,000 NLH 6-Handed) for a prize of US$616,000.
Read also: Ricardo Rocha reaches US$163k in the GGMasters High Rollers heads-up
Furthermore, still talking about the Onyx High Roller Series, a big name conquered another event to secure his first live result in 2026. This is the Bulgarian Alex Kulev, who pocketed US$384,150 by winning the US$10,000 NLH Opener of the Cypriot series, overcoming a field of 207 entries.
The series continues in full swing at Merit Royal Diamond, as it has been since the 30th of last month, until February 12th. The schedule still includes upcoming events that will certainly attract players with high technical skill and purchasing power. Among them are the 50K Grand Slam, 25K Main Event, and 50K PLO Grand Slam.
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