Jean-Robert Bellande wins $1.5M in Cyprus high-stakes poker showdown

A bold bluff call sealed the deal. How Bellande turned a chip lead into his biggest live tournament win—and why this high-stakes battle won't be forgotten.

, and Administrator

2026 March 30 . 11:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of men sitting around a table playing poker, with coins and cards spread... — The image shows a group of men sitting around a table playing poker, with coins and cards spread out in front of them. In the background, there is a pillar and other objects, suggesting that the men are participating in a poker tournament.

Jean-Robert Bellande wins $1.5M in Cyprus high-stakes poker showdown

Jean-Robert Bellande has taken down the Onyx High Roller Championship at Merit Royal Diamond in Cyprus. The high-stakes event, with a $100,000 buy-in, attracted top players competing for a $5,000,000 prize pool. Bellande secured the title—and a $1,500,000 first-place prize—after outlasting a tough final table.

The tournament reached its climax as the final nine players battled for the top spots. Artur Martirosian was the first to exit, bursting the money bubble. Gha Iakobishvili followed in eighth place, with Biao Ding finishing seventh. Emilien Pitavy then departed in sixth, narrowing the field further.

Bellande entered the final table with a strong chip advantage. However, Pieter Aerts briefly overtook the lead after winning a massive pot early in the session. Rob Yong later seized the top spot before the heads-up showdown. The decisive moment came when Bellande called Yong's bluff with a superior hand, sealing his victory. This win marks Bellande's largest live tournament cash, surpassing his previous best of $748,828.

The championship concluded with Bellande claiming the $1,500,000 top prize. His strategic play and key call against Yong's bluff secured the title. The event solidified its reputation as a high-stakes attraction, drawing elite competitors to Cyprus.