Poker player won $52,200 in 3 hours at the Onyx High Roller Series

Paulius Vaitekunas scored a quick victory in the $10,200 Bounty tournament at the Onyx High Roller Series in Northern Cyprus, earning $52,200 in just three hours.

Paulius Vaitekunas secured a swift and convincing victory in the $10,200 Bounty event at the Onyx High Roller Series, closing out the final table in just three hours and taking home $52,200. The tournament was held at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Northern Cyprus and drew only seven entrants, but the fast-paced structure and bounty format made for an action-packed and highly entertaining event. Onyx High Roller Series and the $10,200 Bounty: Format and Features The Onyx High Roller Series is a prestigious set of tournaments for high-stakes players, hosted at one of Northern Cyprus’s most renowned poker venues — the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. The $10,200 Bounty event stood out not only for its hefty buy-in, but also for its unique format: each player paid $10,200, with a portion going to the main prize pool and $5,000 allocated as a bounty — a reward for eliminating an opponent. Just seven players entered the tournament. Such a small field is typical for high roller events, which attract only the most experienced and ambitious professionals. The entire main prize pool — $32,200 — was reserved for the winner, while additional payouts came from bounties: for each player knocked out, $5,000 was awarded. The bounty format encourages aggressive and active play, as every elimination brings a significant reward and has a major impact on strategy. In these tournaments, you often see a wider range of hands played and more unconventional decisions, especially with a short-handed lineup. Final Table Action: How the Tournament Unfolded The tournament began with five players, but by the fourth level, two more — Paulius Vaitekunas and another participant — joined the field, bringing the total to seven. Vaitekunas, entering at the fourth level, was one of the latest arrivals, but that didn’t stop him from getting involved right away. Shortly after joining, he eliminated Manig Loeser, earning his first bounty and recouping half his buy-in. This gave him not only a financial boost, but also a psychological edge for the rest of the tournament. Soon after, Moussa Ahmad was knocked out after losing a preflop all-in to Aleksandr Kirichenko. Following this hand, there was a break, which also marked the final opportunity for late registration — no new players joined, and the remaining five continued to battle for the top prize. Felipe Ketzer, who had the shortest stack, was eliminated five minutes after the break, followed by Chengyu Liao — both knockouts were scored by their opponents, with Kirichenko claiming his second bounty. From there, Vaitekunas took control of the action. He won several small pots against Kirichenko, then secured a crucial victory in a big hand, increasing his stack and gaining a significant advantage. Soon after, he knocked out Vladas Tamasauskas, catching a rare card on the river, and entered heads-up play with nearly a three-to-one chip lead. The final showdown between Vaitekunas and Kirichenko was just as fast-paced as the rest of the tournament. Kirichenko attempted a major bluff, but Vaitekunas instantly called, ending the tournament and collecting the last two bounties along with the entire prize pool. $10,200 Bounty Final Table Results The following players took part in the tournament, with prizes distributed as follows: 1st place: Paulius Vaitekunas — $32,200 (prize pool) + $15,000 (for three knockouts) + $5,000 (his own bounty) = $52,200 2nd place: Aleksandr Kirichenko — bounties for two knockouts 3rd place: Vladas Tamasauskas 4th place: Chengyu Liao 5th place: Felipe Ketzer 6th place: Moussa Ahmad 7th place: Manig Loeser It’s worth noting that, aside from Vaitekunas, only Kirichenko managed to claim more than one bounty, knocking out two opponents. The other participants did not receive additional payouts for eliminations. Key Moments and Winner’s Comments After his victory, Paulius Vaitekunas remarked that this was one of the fastest live tournaments he’s ever played: he registered only at the fourth level and finished the event at the eleventh, spending an hour less at the table than the other participants. According to him, such a pace is rare for live tournaments, and he was happy to finish early and get a good night’s sleep before the next events. Vaitekunas believes that his experience in fast-paced, short-handed formats gave him an edge. He noted that he previously played a lot of Spin & Go tournaments, where you have to play a wide range of hands and make quick decisions. This helped him feel confident at a short-handed table and in unconventional situations. Vaitekunas also praised the Onyx High Roller Series itself, highlighting the excellent organization, pleasant atmosphere, and high level of competition. Although the entire series wasn’t as successful for him as he had hoped, the trophy and victory in the bounty event made the result more than satisfying. Context: Participants and the Significance of the Tournament The final table featured well-known professionals who regularly appear at major international series. Manig Loeser, Felipe Ketzer, Chengyu Liao, Moussa Ahmad, Aleksandr Kirichenko, and Vladas Tamasauskas — all of these players have significant experience at high stakes. The Onyx High Roller Series traditionally brings together some of the strongest players in the poker community, and the bounty format with a high buy-in makes the event especially dynamic and engaging for both spectators and participants. Winning such a tournament is a prestigious achievement, and the fast pace and short-handed field require players to stay highly focused and adapt quickly to changing conditions. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this story is a great example of how important flexibility and quick decision-making are in short-handed and bounty-format tournaments. Even if you don’t join from the very start, smart strategy and aggressive play can help you quickly build a stack and contend for the win. Vaitekunas’s experience in Spin & Go and his success in a short-handed field show that regular practice in fast online formats is excellent preparation for live tournaments with a similar structure. PPPoker players should focus on developing their skills in bounty tournaments and short-handed games to be ready for any scenario. Additionally, the action at the final table serves as a reminder: in bounty tournaments, it’s important not just to make the money, but to actively go after knockouts, since extra bounty payouts can significantly boost your total winnings. Practice an aggressive strategy and don’t be afraid to make unconventional decisions — that’s often what leads to success in today’s poker tournaments.