Professional poker player Italo Modena has advanced to the top 10 chip counts heading into Day 2 of the $25,000 Main Event at the Onyx High Roller Series, held at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Casino in Kyrenia, northern Cyprus. According to tournament reports, Modena secured a stack of 3,415,000 chips, placing him fourth overall in the remaining field as competition resumes ahead of upcoming international poker circuits like EPT Barcelona.
The high-stakes tournament attracted significant international attention, drawing 255 total entries across its opening qualification flights. Due to the structure utilized for the series, play in each starting flight halted immediately upon the bursting of the money bubble. As a result, all 38 players who successfully advanced to Day 2 secured an in-the-money finish, guaranteeing a payout before cards went back in the air.
Modena enters Day 2 trailing only a select group of chip leaders. According to official chip counts, Jordan Woodall of Germany leads the tournament with 3,935,000 chips, followed by Bulgaria’s Boris Kolev with 3,700,000 chips, and fellow Bulgarian competitor Fahredin Mustafov, who sits just ahead of Modena with 3,555,000 chips.
Field Breakdown and Notable Competitors
Given the steep $25,000 buy-in requirement, the player pool featured a high concentration of professional poker talent. Among those who navigated the opening rounds are prominent circuit regulars such as Eelis Parssinen, Aleksejs Ponakovs, and Sergio Aido. Meanwhile, other high-profile entrants, including Artur Martirosian and fellow Italian player Simone Andrian, exited the tournament before reaching Day 2.
Modena’s strong showing in the Main Event follows another deep run earlier in the series. Earlier in the schedule, he finished in seventh place during the $10,400 Premiere event, cementing a strong run of form during his current poker trip to Cyprus.
The remaining 38 players returned to the felt at 13:00 local time to continue their pursuit of the title. Tournament organizers announced that official payout structures would be fully disclosed immediately prior to the start of Day 2 play.
Onyx High Roller Series Day 2 Chip Counts
The top 10 chip counts heading into the start of Day 2 feature an international roster of professional competitors:
- 1. Jordan Woodall (Germany) – 3,935,000 chips (98 big blinds)
- 2. Boris Kolev (Bulgaria) – 3,700,000 chips (93 big blinds)
- 3. Fahredin Mustafov (Bulgaria) – 3,555,000 chips (89 big blinds)
- 4. Italo Modena (Italy) – 3,415,000 chips (85 big blinds)
- 5. Aliaksandr Shylko (Belarus) – 2,920,000 chips (73 big blinds)
- 6. Ali Al-Kubasi (Iraq) – 2,640,000 chips (66 big blinds)
- 7. Danilo Velasevic (Serbia) – 2,330,000 chips (58 big blinds)
- 8. Ravi Sheth (United Kingdom) – 2,300,000 chips (58 big blinds)
- 9. Matthias Lipp (Austria) – 1,900,000 chips (48 big blinds)
- 10. Caner Gunes (Turkey) – 1,895,000 chips (47 big blinds)
Play continues at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Casino as the remaining 38 contenders battle toward the final table. Official updates regarding payouts and subsequent eliminations are expected as the tournament progresses.
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