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Boris Smuskevicius has won the $3,500 Merit Poker Cup at the 2026 Mediterranean Poker Party, banking $217,000 at the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. The result shattered his previous career-best score of $39,800, earned at the Aria Las Vegas in 2023.
The Lithuanian player powered through a stacked final table, benefiting from a crucial hand where his pocket jacks turned into a set against Mehmet Dalkilic’s pocket queens. That flip proved decisive in shifting momentum his way for the remainder of the tournament.
At three-handed play, Smuskevicius, Ekrem Sanioglu, and Joseph Mouawad struck an ICM deal, though Smuskevicius still finished just $3,000 shy of the full $220,000 top prize after the agreement.
He sealed the title by rivering quad queens against runner-up Sanioglu, capping off what he described as a tournament full of hard work and well-timed bluffs. Smuskevicius credited Merit’s tournament structure and hospitality, noting he has played the venue’s series for roughly a decade.
The Lithuanian also reflected on learning poker two decades ago at the Olympic Casino before expanding to Berlin and Tallinn, eventually outgrowing his home country’s poker scene. He thanked family and friends for their long-standing belief in his abilities.
Day 2 saw 63 players return, with 24 eliminations in the first two hours alone. Notable names falling included Eugene Katchalov and Selahaddin Bedir, while Chenxu Zhang was the lone female to reach the final stretch, finishing 10th. Serbian standout Darko Svesko led most of the day before bowing out fifth, and former EPT London champion Mouawad recorded his best score since 2007. Smuskevicius hinted he may now try his hand at the upcoming Triton events at Merit Diamond in November.
