The Mediterranean island of Cyprus continues to cement its reputation as one of Europe’s premier destinations for tournament poker. The latest poker spectacle, the 2025 Merit Poker Western Series, showcased its grandeur from January 14 to 26 at the luxurious Merit Crystal Cove Hotel. Among its 21 events, the $1.5 million guaranteed $3,300 no-limit hold’em main event stole the spotlight, shattering records and delivering dramatic showdowns.
With 791 entries across four starting flights, the event boasted a nearly $2.2 million prize pool. Italian poker pro Umberto Ruggeri emerged victorious, pocketing $377,500—his second-largest career payday.
Ruggeri’s Road to Victory
“It was an amazing week and a great final,” Ruggeri shared moments after clinching the title. The Italian’s victory wasn’t just about the money. It marked a significant milestone in his career, lifting his lifetime earnings to nearly $1.2 million. Ruggeri’s biggest win remains his $495,979 payday for finishing third at the 2023 European Poker Tour Prague main event, but this triumph carried extra emotional weight.
His performance in Cyprus also earned him 1,368 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points. This first result of 2025 catapulted Ruggeri to fifth in the POY leaderboard, giving his year a strong start.
Action-Packed Final Table
The tournament’s final stages were nothing short of electrifying. The top 103 players made it into the money, with several notable names taking part. Popular poker vlogger Johan ‘YoH ViraL’ Guilbert finished 25th, while bracelet winner Georgios Skarparis landed in 15th place. Dmitry Gromov, a World Poker Tour champion, narrowly missed the final table, finishing in 10th.
Renars Skanis, who led the chip count entering the final day, saw his early advantage slip away after an ambitious bluff was caught. His elimination in eighth place for $50,500 signaled the unpredictability of the final table.
The action intensified when former EPT Cyprus $10,000 high roller champion Ryan Mandara exited in seventh place. Mandara’s pocket deuces initially had the lead over Muhtar Taysi’s ace-jack, but a dramatic runout sent him packing with $63,200.
Ruggeri’s Defining Moments
Ruggeri’s climb to the top was marked by critical hands. His pocket sevens bested Alexander Sokolovsky’s ace-jack suited, sending Sokolovsky to the rail in sixth place with $75,900. A pivotal hand came when Ruggeri’s flush draw and two pair on the river trumped Mihai Niste’s lower pair and flush draw. This pot gave Ruggeri the chip lead and momentum heading into the final stretch.
Fellow Italian Mario Colavita became the fourth-place finisher, earning $130,200 after a tough beat. Colavita’s pocket eights fell to Ruggeri’s ace-seven, and his tournament life ended shortly after when Ruggeri’s king-high straight trumped Colavita’s pocket tens.
The Final Three Make a Deal
The tournament concluded with a three-way deal. Mihai Niste took the runner-up spot, pocketing $251,000, while Muhtar Taysi secured $180,300 for third place. Ruggeri claimed the title, the trophy, and the lion’s share of the prize money, capping off an unforgettable week.
Final Table Payouts and POY Points
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umberto Ruggeri | $377,500 | 1,368 |
| 2 | Mihai Niste | $251,000 | 1,140 |
| 3 | Muhtar Taysi | $180,300 | 912 |
| 4 | Mario Colavita | $130,200 | 684 |
| 5 | Xiaosheng Zheng | $94,600 | 570 |
| 6 | Alexander Sokolovsky | $75,900 | 456 |
| 7 | Ryan Mandara | $63,200 | 342 |
| 8 | Renars Skanis | $50,500 | 228 |
| 9 | Edward Quinn | $37,950 | 114 |
The success of the 2025 Merit Poker Western Series reflects the growing popularity of high-stakes poker in Cyprus. With players like Ruggeri delivering thrilling performances, the island remains a prime destination for poker enthusiasts from around the globe.
