Raoul Kanme Wins Onyx Main Event for $1.25 Million

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Mon Aug 17, 2026, 8:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Raoul Kanme Wins Onyx Main Event for $1.25 Million

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Raoul Kanme turned a commanding final-table performance into the biggest win of his career at the 2026 Onyx Super High Roller Series.

The Dutch player captured the $25,500 Main Event for $1.25 million after defeating a 255-entry field.

This year's Onyx tournament generated a $6.12 million prize pool at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in North Cyprus. The field also surpassed the $5 million guarantee by more than $1.1 million.

Kanme entered the final day as the chip leader and maintained pressure throughout the final table. His aggressive approach produced several key eliminations and a memorable bluff against Matthias Lipp.

That bluff proved especially important because it happened during four-handed play. Kanme had lost much of his chip advantage before making the bold river move.

The successful bluff restored his momentum and helped set up the eliminations of Aliaksandr Shylko and Jordan Woodall. Kanme then entered heads-up play with a commanding lead before completing his victory over Lipp.

Raoul Kanme Controls the Final Table

Nine players returned for the final day, with Kanme holding the chip lead. Fahredin Mustafov departed in ninth for $143,000 after Jordan Woodall's pocket kings held against his suited ten-three.

Anze Smajd followed in eighth for $171,000. Smajd held pocket kings against Kanme's pocket queens, but a queen appeared on the flop.

Kanme improved to a full house and extended his advantage. Meanwhile, Matthias Lipp eliminated Italo Modena in seventh for $200,000.

Daniel Rezaei then finished sixth for $250,000 after Aliaksandr Shylko won their preflop confrontation. Manuel Fritz followed in fifth for $320,000.

Four-handed play produced the tournament's defining moment. Kanme had surrendered much of his enormous chip lead before finding a chance to strike against Lipp.

Kanme's Massive Bluff Restores His Momentum

Kanme held K♥8♥, while Lipp had K♠Q♥ on a 10♥ 6♠ Q♣ 4♦ 2♦ board. Lipp therefore held the top pair with a strong kicker.

Kanme had only king-high, but he continued representing a stronger hand across multiple streets. He eventually moved all-in on the river.

Lipp faced a difficult decision with the top pair. Despite his strong showdown value, he eventually folded K♠Q♥.

Kanme revealed the bluff after Lipp surrendered the pot. The hand gave Kanme a major momentum boost at a crucial stage of the tournament.

The successful bluff proved more than a memorable highlight. Kanme used his renewed momentum to pressure the remaining players and close out the final table.

Aliaksandr Shylko became the next player eliminated. Kanme held Q♣J♣ against Shylko's 10♥10♣ in a crucial confrontation.

A jack appeared on the flop, giving Kanme the lead. His hand held through the remaining streets, eliminating Shylko in fourth for $420,000.

Jordan Woodall then secured third place and $600,000. Kanme's pocket tens held against Woodall's A♣K♥, sending the tournament into heads-up play.

Kanme entered heads-up action with more than a 7:1 chip advantage over Lipp. The earlier bluff had helped him regain control before the final duel began.

Kanme Eliminates Matthias Lipp Heads-Up

Lipp faced a steep challenge after entering heads-up play with a significant chip deficit. Kanme continued applying pressure while Lipp attempted to mount a comeback.

Eventually, Lipp moved all-in for 3.2 million chips while holding K♥3♥. Kanme called with A♣3♦, putting Lipp at risk. The 8♥7♣5 J♥4♠ board failed to improve either player. Kanme's ace-high therefore remained ahead through the river.

Lipp finished runner-up for $800,000. Kanme secured the $1.25 million top prize and the Onyx Main Event trophy.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize
1 Raoul Kanme Netherlands $1,250,000
2 Matthias Lipp Austria $800,000
3 Jordan Woodall Germany $600,000
4 Aliaksandr Shylko Belarus $420,000
5 Manuel Fritz Austria $320,000
6 Daniel Rezaei Austria $250,000
7 Italo Modena Italy $200,000
8 Anze Smajd Slovenia $171,000
9 Fahredin Mustafov Bulgaria $143,000

The final-table payouts came from the $6.12 million prize pool generated by 255 entries.

Kanme Celebrates a Career-Defining Victory

Kanme's victory represents a major breakthrough in his tournament career. Before this event, his largest recorded cash stood at $157,368.

The $1.25 million payday pushed his career tournament earnings close to $2.4 million. It also earned him 1,428 Card Player Player of the Year points.

The result carried additional personal significance for Kanme. He dedicated his trophy to his cousin after learning about his cancer diagnosis several months earlier.

"I want to dedicate this trophy to my cousin," Kanme said. "He's been diagnosed with cancer like three or four months ago and I've been thinking about him the whole time. Just thinking about him gave me strength, and I want to dedicate this to him. I'm very happy I could make it happen. So cousin, you know who you are. This one is for you."

Kanme also had plenty of personal history with the Merit Royal Diamond. He had visited the venue six or seven times previously without winning a tournament.

This time, everything finally came together. Kanme combined aggression, timely pressure, and a massive four-handed bluff to claim his first seven-figure score.

The victory gives poker fans another major live tournament storyline to follow alongside action featured across US online poker sites.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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