Vladimir Lappo wins €61K at 2026 Merit Poker Montenegro Championship

From average stack to champion in record time. How Lappo’s bold all-in moves and heads-up dominance rewrote his poker legacy.

, and Administrator

2026 January 25 . 4:03 AM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people standing next to each other in a room, smiling and holding... — The image shows a group of people standing next to each other in a room, smiling and holding certificates in their hands. On the right side of the image, there is a table with various objects on it, and in the background there are boards and a poster on the wall. It appears to be a celebration of the winners of the 2019 WIK Awards.

Vladimir Lappo wins €61K at 2026 Merit Poker Montenegro Championship

Vladimir Lappo has claimed his biggest career advice win at the 2026 Merit Poker Montenegro Championship. The €880 Merit Poker Cup saw him outlast a 415-player field to secure €61,000—the largest prize of his poker career so far. His path to victory included crucial all-in confrontations and a rapid heads-up finish.

Lappo entered the final table with an average stack but managed to survive multiple high-stakes moments. Key all-in wins allowed him to rebuild his chip count and stay in contention. His next challenge came against Fausto Tantillo, who finished third for €29,000 after losing a critical hand—Lappo’s ace-five held against Tantillo’s ten-six.

The final showdown pitted Lappo against Nikolay Fal in heads-up play. The match lasted just seven hands before Lappo sealed the title. His ace-four defeated Fal’s ace-eight in the last hand, crowning him the champion. This victory marks Lappo’s first recorded win at the Merit Poker Montenegro Championship, following a strong performance in the 2026 event.

The tournament win adds €61,000 to Lappo’s earnings, setting a new personal best. His ability to navigate tight spots and close out the final quickly secured both the title and the top prize. The result also highlights his growing presence in competitive poker.