Selahaddin Bedir won the main event of the NOIR Poker Series 2026

Selahaddin Bedir claimed victory in the main event of the NOIR Poker Series 2026, outlasting 769 entrants and earning $525,000 at the Merit Royal Diamond Casino.

The Main Event of the NOIR Poker Series 2026 has wrapped up at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. After a grueling 12-hour final session, Selahaddin Bedir emerged victorious, claiming the championship title and the top prize of $525,000. The $5,500 buy-in event drew 769 players, building a prize pool of $3,608,148. The final day began with 13 hopefuls, but after many hours of play, only one champion remained. NOIR Poker Series: Tournament and Venue Highlights The NOIR Poker Series Main Event is traditionally held at the renowned Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, a favorite destination for poker players. This $5,500 buy-in tournament attracts a strong field of both professionals and amateurs each year, all eager to compete for substantial payouts. In 2026, 769 players took their seats, ensuring a hefty prize pool and fierce competition. The final day started with 13 players, each already guaranteed a payout, but all with their sights set on the trophy and the biggest prize. The final table turned into a true battle, stretching nearly ten hours. The finale was defined by short stacks and the constant need to make tough decisions at every stage of play. The Road to the Final Table: Key Eliminations and Turning Points From the outset of the final day, the action was intense: just four eliminations were needed to reach the final table. The first to bust from the remaining 13 was Xiaosheng Zheng, followed by the enigmatic player known as ‘Tarzan’. Despite starting the day second in chips, an early clash with Manuel Fritz proved disastrous for ‘Tarzan’, and he was unable to recover after losing a large portion of his stack. Fahredin Mustafov was next to go, losing a hand against an opponent’s pocket aces. Shortly after, Miroslav Rizov exited in 10th place, setting the stage for the official nine-handed final table. Notably, all these eliminations occurred before the end of the second level of the final day, highlighting the fast pace early on. The Final Table: Battle for the Title and Dramatic Showdowns The first player to leave the final table was Viktor Siegle. He moved all-in with a strong hand, but luck wasn’t on his side. About an hour later, Manuel Fritz, holding pocket aces on the button, was unable to hold against Fabian Gumz, who pulled ahead on the flop and took down the pot. Another hour in, Anton Danilov was eliminated, and about 20 minutes later, Leonid Orman followed him to the rail. Before the dinner break, two more players busted, leaving five contenders still in the hunt. After dinner, the tension at the table only increased: the average stack was just 26 big blinds, forcing the short stacks to take risks. Within the first hour after the break, both ‘Kenar’ and Aleksei Gortikov were eliminated, leaving just three players to battle it out. Three-handed play lasted for about two hours. All three—Selahaddin Bedir, Fabian Gumz, and Konstantin Voronin—took turns as chip leader, but none could pull away decisively. Gumz’s tournament ended with a classic “cooler”—a strong hand that’s impossible to fold, but still loses to an even stronger holding. With Gumz out, the stage was set for the final heads-up showdown. Heads-Up: Selahaddin Bedir vs. Konstantin Voronin The heads-up duel between Selahaddin Bedir and Konstantin Voronin lasted nearly two hours. Bedir looked confident from the start, controlling most of the small pots and gradually extending his lead. However, Voronin managed to double up twice in big all-in pots, preventing Bedir from closing it out quickly. Each time Voronin doubled, Bedir methodically regained the advantage through sharp post-flop play and relentless pressure. In their third major confrontation, all the chips went in again, and this time Bedir was ahead and held on, clinching the victory. Winning the NOIR Poker Series Main Event earned Selahaddin Bedir not only $525,000 but also the prestigious title of 2026 series champion. The Champion: Who Is Selahaddin Bedir? Selahaddin Bedir is a seasoned professional for whom poker is both a business and a passion. Despite an impressive resume, he admits that his main motivation is the enjoyment of the game itself, not the financial rewards. Bedir says he doesn’t think about the money at the table—he simply enjoys the process. Interestingly, Bedir has also found success in bridge, an intellectual card game he calls a “sport for the mind.” He believes the skills he’s developed in bridge help him make better decisions at the poker table, as both games require strategic thinking and the ability to read opponents. Earlier this year, in April, Bedir came close to victory at this same series, finishing runner-up in the High Roller event. This time, he made it all the way to the top and claimed the main trophy. Still, the champion isn’t planning any big celebrations—he intends to spend time with his children and friends, just as usual. Final Table Results – NOIR Poker Series 2026 Main Event Place Player Prize 1 Selahaddin Bedir $525,000 2 Konstantin Voronin not specified 3 Fabian Gumz not specified 4 Aleksei Gortikov not specified 5 Kenar not specified 6 Leonid Orman not specified 7 Anton Danilov not specified 8 Manuel Fritz not specified 9 Viktor Siegle not specified Unfortunately, the exact payouts for the other finalists were not specified in the source, but it is known that the total prize pool was $3,608,148, and many players who made the money received payouts. Key Moments and Player Quotes After his victory, Selahaddin Bedir admitted that enduring such a long tournament was no easy feat: "It’s tough to play every day from the very start. You have to stay patient, but right now I feel really good." He also emphasized that, for him, the enjoyment of the game is more important than the financial result: "I love playing poker. I don’t think about the money, I just enjoy sitting at the table." After his win, Bedir didn’t plan any lavish celebrations, preferring to spend time with family and friends: "I think I’ll celebrate with my kids and friends. Just as usual." Bedir also spoke about how bridge has influenced his poker success, calling both games intellectual pursuits where calculation, strategy, and the ability to read opponents are crucial. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this story is a great example of how important patience, mental resilience, and the ability to adapt to changing tournament dynamics really are. Even if you’re not a professional like Selahaddin Bedir, being able to maintain focus during long sessions can be your key advantage in online tournaments and club games. Moreover, Bedir’s experience in other mind sports like bridge shows that developing strategic thinking and opponent analysis skills is valuable not just in poker, but in related disciplines as well. Don’t be afraid to broaden your gaming horizons—it will help you make better decisions in PPPoker clubs, too. Finally, Selahaddin Bedir’s story is a reminder: for true success in poker, it’s important to enjoy the game and not focus solely on the results. This mindset helps you stay motivated, keep improving, and achieve great things—whether in major live tournaments or in online PPPoker club games.