The first-place finish in the $1,952 buy-in event added 131,200 to Margolin’s bankroll
Israel’s Timur Margolin has added another major result to his long poker career after winning the €1,650 Main Event at the Merit Poker Montenegro Championship. The event wrapped up at the Merit Royal Splendid Casino in Budva after five days of play. Margolin secured the trophy along with a €110,000 (US$131,200) first-place payout.
The tournament attracted 414 entries, building a prize pool of €571,320 and producing a tightly contested final table. Margolin started the final day third in chips but quickly ran into trouble after losing a large pot. The setback left him short, though he avoided panic and stayed patient.
The three-time WSOP bracelet winner slowly worked his way back into contention during a volatile final table. His steady approach paid off as he reached heads-up play against Nikolay Fal. From there, Margolin found the right spots and closed out the match to earn his first Main Event title in several years.
After the win, Margolin said the moment took time to fully register. He joked about being called a veteran and reflected on how long it had been since his last Main Event victory. Winning again, especially at a new Merit stop in Montenegro, clearly meant a lot to him.
Margolin also credited his ability to reset mentally after a difficult hand earlier in the day. He admitted briefly feeling frustrated but focused on playing each hand on its own. Staying present helped him regain momentum and avoid costly mistakes.
The final table featured plenty of action, including early eliminations and multiple lead changes. Fal and Margolin traded big pots during heads-up play before the title was decided. In the final hand, Margolin’s straight overtook Fal’s King-Queen, sealing the result.
