2026 Greek Poker Odyssea

Late registration has now closed in Day 1a, with a total of 100 entries obtained for the first starting flight of the Main Event.

Ivelin Kolev opened to 12,000 from the hijack, and Anastasios Vardalis defended the big blind.

On the 8♣5♣2♠ flop, Vardalis check-called in the face of a continuation bet of 11,000 from Kolev.

The 10♦ turn was checked to the Q♥ river, where Vardalis check-folded versus a bet of 40,000 from Kolev.

Ivelin Kolev – 400,000
Anastasios Vardalis – 525,000

Lorenzo Arduini leads the way as the players head on their final break of the day, with late registration due to close before the start of Level 12, and play due to conclude in Day 1a at the end of Level 13.

The top stacks are as follows:-

Lorenzo Arduini – 765,000
Artemios Fournaris – 682,000
Vaggelis Kaimakamis – 625,000
Georgios Dallas – 515,000
Spyros Karathanos – 490,000

Apostolos Kofidis was getting up out of his chair, and his roughly 120,000 stack was being passed to Lorenzo Arduini, after the Italian turned a straight with 8♥6♥ on the K♣5♦4♣7♦5♠ board.

Kofidis’s cards had already been swept away.

Lorenzo Arduini – 735,000
Apostolos Kofidis – 0

With around 90,000 in the middle on a board of A♠7♥4♥, Konstantinos Kesidis checked to Vasileios Chalkiopoulos, who fired out an overbet of 100,000.

Kesidis had around 85,000 behind, and went into the tank, with a fair bit of chatter in Greek between the two.

Eventually, Kesidis sighed and moved his chips into the middle.

Konstantinos Kesidis: K♦K♣
Vasileios Chalkiopoulos: A♣5♥

Kesidis’ cowboys had been outflopped, and there was no two-outer on the J♥6♣ runout.

Vasileios Chalkiopoulos – 330,000
Konstantinos Kesidis – 0

Martin Tsvetanov opened to 8,000 under the gun, and was met with a three-bet to 27,000 from Paraskevas Tsokaridis in the small blind.

Alexandar Skobelev cold-called in the big blind, and Tsvetanov got out of the way.

On the 10♣8♥6♣ flop, Tsokaridis check-called versus a bet of 25,000 from Skobelev.

The same pattern followed on the A♦ turn, this time in respect of a bet of 55,000 from Skobelev.

The 6♥ river was checked through. Tsokaridis confidently tabled 9♦9♥, and was surprised to see Skobelev show 8♣8♦ for the full house.

Alexandar Skobelev – 315,000
Paraskevas Tsokaridis – 178,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 100,000

Plamen Marinov was getting up out of his chair looking stunned, after his final 110,000 went into the middle on the river in a hand against Georgios Kapalas, on a board of J♦7♦5♦A♠K♥, and was quickly called.

Marinov tabled 5♥5♣ for the flopped bottom set of fives, but he was behind the whole way against Kapalas’ 4♦3♦ for the flopped flush.

Georgios Kapalas – 395,000
Plamen Marinov – 0

With around 140,000 in the middle on a board of A♥9♣3♠7♣3♦, Nikolaos Toloudis checked to Georgios Dallas, who fired out a bet of 90,000.

Touloudis was pained and went into the tank, moving his hands from over his mouth to cover almost the entirety of his face. Eventually, he shook his head, and reluctantly flicked his cards to the dealer.

Georgios Dallas – 480,000
Nikolaos Toloudis – 162,000

Vasilieos Zisis was all-in for 27,000 and at risk against Ioannis Gerontas.

Vasilieos Zisis: J♠9♠
Ioannis Gerontas: A♥5♦

Zisis needed some assistance, but he was dead by the turn on the A♦7♦7♥A♠2♦ runout.

Ioannis Gerontas – 265,000
Vasilieos Zisis – 0

The Mini Main Event ended in a five-way ICM deal, with Andreas Vlachos taking the trophy, and Giannis Panagopoulos taking the biggest cash prize.

The final table results are as follows:-

Place	Name	Country	Prize
1	Andreas Vlachos	Greece	€14,000*
2	Giannis Panagopoulos	Greece	€24,426*
3	Stavros Stavropoulos	Greece	€21,726*
4	Christos Patras	Greece	€18,713*
5	Kostas Kertikidis	Greece	€17,051*
6	Anonymous	N/A	€5,701
7	Dimitris Manekas	Greece	€4,645
8	Kosmas Barakos	Greece	€3,812
9	Kostas Chionidis	Greece	€3,139

The following players appear to be at the top of the standings after a quick persual of the room, just before a 40-minute dinner break.

Coverage will resume at 10.35 p.m. local time.

Georgios Dallas – 436,000
Lorenzo Ardunini – 370,000
Ioannis Gerontas – 350,000
Dimitar Toshev – 320,000
Nikolaos Valtatzis – 270,000

Konstantinos Patsas was all-in for 13,000 and at risk against Jan Zupec.

Konstantinos Patsas: K♣K♦
Jan Zupec: A♦9♣

Patsas had a monster, and there were no surprises on the 9♥3♣2♣3♦3♠ runout.

Konstantinos Patsas – 30,500
Jan Zupec – 93,000

On a flop of 6♣4♠2♣, Georgios Tsialtas led out from the big blind with a bet of 5,000, and was faced with a raise to 18,000 from Valeri Savov.

Tsialtas called to see the 9♥ turn, where he again led with a bet of 20,000. Savov raised once more, to 40,000, and Tsialtas called.

The 4♦ river completed the board, and Tsialtas led out for a third time with a bet of 30,000. Savov just called this time, and mucked when Tsialtas showed 2♠2♦ for a full house.

Georgios Tsialtas – 220,000
Valeri Savov – 30,000

On his second bullet, Martin Tsvetanov was all-in for around 75,000 and at risk against Plamen Marinov.

Martin Tsvetanov: A♣Q♣
Plamen Marinov: Q♦Q♥

Tsvetanov was in trouble with a solitary overcard, and he could not connect with the K♣7♠2♦7♦3♣ runout.

Plamen Marinov – 220,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 0

With around 82,000 in the middle on a board of 4♣4♦2♠K♣7♠, Vahe Martirosyan checked to Dimitrios Siantikos, both in middle position, who fired out a bet of 50,000.

Martirosyan, with around 100,000 behind, went deep into thought. After around two minutes, he flicked in a calling chip.

Siantikos tabled 9♠8♠ for air, and Martirosyan had found a good call with 6♣6♥, leading to a raised eyebrow from Siantikos.

Vahe Martirosyan – 282,000
Dimitrios Siantikos – 95,000

With around 19,000 in the middle on a board of [invalid notations] river led to a double-paired board. Dallas checked, and after a brief period of thought, Savov moved all in for 91,500.

Dallas went into the tank, deep in thought for at least three minutes. Suddenly, he made the call, leading to an immediate tap of the table from Savov, suggesting he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Savov tabled J♠9♠ for the missed flush draw, and Dallas had found the call with 7♥6♣ for the low end of the potential full houses.

Georgios Dallas – 310,000
Valeri Savov – 0

With around 75,000 in the middle on a board of K♠9♦8♠6♥, Nikolaos Giannopoulos check-jammed for around 85,000 in the face of a bet of 40,000 from Aris Kotanidis, who quickly called, much to Giannopoulos’ displeasure.

Nikolaos Giannopoulos: 7♦6♦
Aris Kotandis: A♦K♦

Giannopoulos needed help with third pair and the wrap draw versus Kotandis’ top pair, and he bricked the 4♠ river, giving the table a tap as he left.

Aris Kotanidis – 220,000
Nikolaos Giannopoulos – 0

Martin Tsvetanov was getting up out of his chair, after his A♥10♣ for two pair on a board of A♠9♥5♣2♥10♠ was second best against Konstantinos Siamitras’ 9♣9♠ for a set.

Siamitras’ celebrated with gusto, giving the table a good thump and pumping his fists.

Konstantinos Siamitras – 325,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 0

Emmanouil Zacharakis opened to 3,000 from middle position, and received a call from Andronikos Voliotis in the small blind, before Theodoros Ampelikiotis three-bet jammed from the big blind for 46,000.

Zacharakis called, and looked concerned when Voiliotis moved all in for 51,000. Zacharakis made up the difference to create a three-way all-in scenario.

Theodoros Ampelikiotis: A♠J♠
Andronikos Voliotis: A♣Q♦
Emmanouil Zacharakis: 8♠8♦

Zacharakis looked in good shape, but was disgusted to see the A♥6♦5♦ flop, which put Voliotis in front.

The 9♦ turn and 10♥ river did not alter the position, and Voliotis secured a near triple-up, while Ampelikiotis was sent to the rail.

Andronikos Voliotis – 152,000
Emmanouil Zacharakis – 60,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 0

The €400 Mystery Bounty is down to the final table, with the seating draw as follows:-

Seat	Player	Country	Chips	Blinds
1	A.L.	Greece	1,850,000	12
2	Orestis Papapostolou	Greece	4,225,000	28
3	Ivan Popov	Bulgaria	4,800,000	32
4	Andreas Paliogiannis	Greece	10,375,000	69
5	Baruch Haim	Israel	5,100,000	34
6	Michail Tsilikidis	Greece	2,100,000	14
7	Michail Tastanis	Greece	6,500,000	43
8	Spyros Karathanos	Greece	7,925,000	52
9	Nikolaos Kritharis	Greece	6,875,000	45

All players have guaranteed a €790 payday, with €9,280 awaiting the champion.

Each of Athanasios Andrianopoulos, Andronikos Voliotis and Theodoros Ampelikiotis put in 7,000 preflop, before the dealer fanned the J♥7♣3♠ flop.

The flop was checked to the 6♣ turn, where Andrianopoulos led out with a bet of 6,000. Voliotis jammed for 15,600, and Ampelikiotis cold-called. Andrianopoulos looked pained, and folded after some thought.

Andronikos Voliotis: 3♥3♣
Theodoros Ampelikiotis: 8♠8♣

Ampelikiotis had been the victim of a two-outer, and there was no escape on the 9♠ river.

Andronikos Voliotis – 56,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 38,300
Athanasios Andrianopoulos – 120,000

Georgios Tsialtas opened to 2,200 under the gun, and received five calls, before Marizas Panagiotis produced a three-bet jam of 39,800 from the big blind. Tsialtas called, and all other opponents got out of the way.

Marizas Panagiotis: 7♣7♦
Georgios Tsialtas: A♣A♦

Tsialtas had the premium of all premiums, and there was no escape for Panagiotis on the J♦5♣3♣2♥Q♥ runout.

Georgis Tsialtas – 145,000
Marizas Panagiotis – 0

Stefanos Stefanidis was getting up out of his chair, and his roughly 30,000 stack was being passed to Emmanouil Asgoudakis, after Stefanidis’ A♦K♠ came off worst in a race against Asgoudakis’ 7♣7♦, the board reading 9♥4♥3♣7♣Q♠.

Emmanouil Asgoudakis – 148,000
Stefanos Stefanidis – 0

A pot of around 27,000 had brewed by the river on a board of A♦10♥6♠9♥7♠, in a hand between Kristian Willumsen and Dimitrios Giannakis.

Willumsen led out with a bet of 11,000, and was met with a prompt raise to 36,000 from Giannakis. Willumsen didn’t waste much time in disposing of his cards.

Dimitrios Giannakis – 130,000
Kristian Willumsen – 87,000

Theodoros Ampelikiotis opened to 2,200 from the hijack, and was faced with a three-bet to 7,000 from Vasileios Mirisiotis in the cutoff.

Athanasios Andrianopoulos cold-called in the small blind, and Ampelikiotis got out of the way.

On the K♦10♣2♣ flop, Andrianopoulos check-folded versus a bet of 7,000 from Mirisiotis, who flashed A♣A♠ as he raked in the pot.

Vasileios Mirisiotis – 140,000
Athanasios Andrianopoulos – 86,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 57,500

There was 6,500 in front of Ivelin Yonchev, and Antonios Roumelitois moved all in for 37,600, receiving a snap-call from Yonchev.

Antonios Roumelitois: J♥J♦
Ivelin Yonchev: A♦Q♥

It was off to the races, and Yonchev missed the 10♠9♣5♠7♠3♥ runout. The players have been sent on a 20-minute break.

Antonios Roumelitois – 77,200
Ivelin Yonchev – 79,000

At least 30,000 had made its way into the middle on a board of 6♦6♣5♣, in a four-way hand.

Georgios Kapalas fired out a bet of 10,000 from the big blind, and received calls from Emmanouil Asgoudakis and Martin Tsvetanov in early and middle position, and a fold from Stefanos Stefanidis on the button.

The 3♥ turn was checked to the K♥ river, where action was checked to Tsvetanov.

Tsvetanov jammed for 55,400, and earnt relatively swift folds from both of his opponents.

Martin Tsvetanov – 105,400
Georgios Kapalas – 98,000
Emmanouil Asgoudakis – 75,000
Stefanos Stefanidis – 82,000

With around 12,500 in the middle on a flop of K♦Q♠J♦, Athanasios Xenodochidis checked from the cutoff to Georgios Garnelis on the button, who fired out a bet of 8,400.

Xenodochidis check-jammed for 70,000, earning a raised eyebrow of surprise from Garnelis. Garnelis spent a good 90 seconds in the tank, but ultimately elected to fold.

Athanasios Xenodochidis – 82,500
Georgios Garnelis – 70,000

Ivelin Yonchev opened to 1,800 from early position, and was met with a three-bet to 5,000 from Antonios Roumeliotis in the big blind.

Yonchev called after quite a bit of thought to see the Q♥J♣5♣ flop, which was checked through to the 8♣ turn.

Roumeliotis led out with a bet of 3,000, and Yonchev stuck around for the 6♠ river. Roumelitois fiddled with his chips with 31,000 behind, but ultimately check-folded versus a bet of 15,000 from Yonchev.

Ivelin Yonchev – 125,000
Antonios Roumeliotis – 31,000

The €500 Mini Main Event is down to the final table, with the seating draw as follows:-

Seat	Player	Country	Chips	Blinds
1	Stavros Stavropoulos	Greece	5,750,000	46
2	Ioannis Panagopoulos	Greece	2,900,000	23
3	Polykarpos Stryvakis	Greece	6,900,000	55
4	Dimitrios Manekas	Greece	4,800,000	38
5	Konstantinos Chionidis	Greece	4,900,000	39
6	Christos Patras	Greece	1,300,000	10
7	Andreas Vlachos	Greece	2,500,000	20
8	Konstantinos Kertikidis	Greece	5,000,000	40
9	Kosmas Mparakos	Greece	2,100,000	16

The players have guaranteed a €3,139 payday, but all will be gunning for the €35,395 first-place prize.

A huge pot of 62,000 had developed by the turn on a board of 8♦6♥4♦6♦, in a hand between Ivelin Kolev from early position, and Kristian Willumsen in the big blind.

The turn was checked to the 5♣ river, where Willumsen fired out a bet of 26,000, sending Kolev into the tank.

Kolev spent a good two minutes pondering the spot, but made the call.

Willumsen tabled 10♦10♣ for two pair, and Kolev clenched his fist in celebration as he tabled J♦J♣ for the superior two pair.

Ivelin Kolev – 255,000
Kristian Willumsen – 36,500

Konstantinos Siamitras opened to 1,300 from the button, and Nikolaos Dalakis defended the big blind.

On the A♠7♣6♦ flop, Dalakis check-called versus a bet of 1,300 from Siamitras.

The J♦ hit on the turn, and Dalakis checked once more. Siamitras double-barreled with a bet of 4,000, and was met with a raise to 10,300 from Dalakis.

Siamitras called to see the 6♠ river, where Dalakis led out with a bet of 10,000. Siamitras thought for a brief period of time, and made the call.

Dalakis tabled J♥6♣ for two pair, and Siamitras mucked.

Nikolaos Dalakis – 96,000
Konstantinos Siamitras – 111,000

Ivelin Kolev recounted to poker.pro the story of the first bust out of the Main Event.

There was an open from Atanas Malinov under the gun, and two callers, before Kolev three-bet to 16 big blinds from the big blind with 10♦10♠.

Only Malinov called to see the A♣10♣3♠ flop, where Kolev continued with a bet of around 40% of the pot.

Malinov stuck around for the 7♠ turn, where Kolev double-barreled with a bet of 66% of the pot.

The J♠ river completed the board. Kolev jammed with his set, and received a call from Malinov with A♠J♣ two pair.

Ivelin Kolev – 210,000
Atanas Malinov – 0

Nikolaos Valtatzis opened from under the gun, and Theodoros Ampelikiotis defended the big blind.

On the 9♥4♠2♣ flop, Ampelikiotis check-called in the face of a bet of 1,200 from Valtatzis.

There was no further action on the K♦ turn or 5♠ river, and Valtatzis’ 7♥7♦ was good versus his opponent’s A♠10♥.

Nikolaos Valtatzis – 102,000
Theodoros Ampelikiotis – 59,000

With around 12,000 in the middle on a completed board of 10♥7♦4♠9♥8♠, Ivelin Kolev was the first of three players to check their option.

Kolev tabled [pnc]9d6d[/pcn] for the straight, forcing his opponents to muck.

Ivelin Kolev – 110,000

Kiril Bakalov opened to 1,500 from the cutoff, and Nikolaos Toloudis defended the big blind.

On the 10♣5♠2♦ flop, Touloudis check-called in the face of a continuation bet of 1,500 from Bakalov.

The 10♦ turn paired the board, and Touloudis led out with a bet of 3,000. Bakalov responded with a prompt raise to 9,000, and after a bit of thought, Touloudis sent his hand to the muck.

Kiril Bakalov – 106,000
Nikolaos Touloudis – 94,000

Play is underway in Day 1a of the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyessa, with 55 players already registered.

Stay tuned to poker.pro for all your coverage of the action.

We are down to 12 players in the €500 Mini Main Event, after the eliminations of Gat Nitai, Nikolaos Perrakis and Christos Lavdanis.

In the €400 Mystery Bounty, the bubble has just burst, after Pantelis Dokas ran king-seven suited into aces, with all 23 players remaining guaranteed a €410 payday.

poker.pro is delighted to be back in the beautiful Greek port city of Thessaloniki, which boasts a history stretching back more than two millennia. Founded over 2,300 years ago, and named after the sister of Alexander the Great, the city has been shaped by centuries of triumph and turmoil.

This week, a different kind of battle takes place, fought with chips and poker strategy rather than swords, as poker players descend on the stunning Vergina Theatro at Regency Casino for the Novibet 2026 Greek Poker Odyssea, aiming to write their own tale of glory.

The festival is already well underway, with the €500 Mini Main creating a prize pool in excess of €160,000, and the final 15 combatants scheduled to return today, June 14, for the final day. Stavros Stavropoulos leads a field including Lorenzo Arduini and Andreas Vlachos, all vying for the €35,395 first-place prize.

Meanwhile, 41 players return for the final day of the €400 Mystery Bounty, with Andreas Paliogiannis topping the standings at the start of play, and best placed to seize the €9,280 top prize.

The crown jewel of the festival and the focus of our coverage, the four-day €1,000 Main Event, also gets underway, with Day 1a scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m local time.

With an expected estimated prize pool of €500,000, four starting flights are scheduled from June 14 – June 16. Players will receive a starting stack of 100,000 at blind level 300/500/500, with the clock set to 40-minute levels, and unlimited reentries permitted.

Late registration remains open until the end of Level 11 in each starting flight, with play scheduled to conclude at the end of Level 13. Day 2 qualifiers will return at 3 p.m on June 17 for Day 2, where the clock will be increased to 60-minute levels, while Days 3-4 will feature 75-minute levels.

Anastasios Vardalis is the defending champion, after taking the trophy and €34,546 following a five-way deal in the 2025 version, which featured a €600 buy-in and attracted 529 entries.

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1	Anastasios Vardalis	Greece	€34,546*
2	Dimitrios Siantikos	Greece	€21,436*
3	Ippokratis Aslanoglou	Greece	€21,871*
4	Alexey Shilov	Cyprus	€26,057*
5	Nikolaos Giannopoulos	Greece	€33,652*
6	Ioannis Diamantopoulos	Greece	€9,448
7	Aggelos Valilis	Greece	€7,766
8	Itzhak Cohen	Italy	€6,420
9	Marios-Panagiotis Kapiris	Greece	€5,327

There are also plenty of juicy side events for players to enjoy in a packed schedule, including a €2,000 High Roller, a €350 Cuatro Progressive Knockout and a €115 Ladies Event, featuring €2,000 in added prizes.

poker.pro will be on the floor bringing you full reporting of the Main Event, so stay tuned for your coverage of all the action and key moments from the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyessa.