Said Tahar Wins Biggest Cash of His Career in Cyprus

Said Tahar falls just short of the WPT Prime Cyprus title

French player Said Tahar came within touching distance of his first WPT Prime trophy in the Main Event at Cyprus, but ultimately had to settle for second place. The runner-up finish paid $100,000, marking the largest live score of his career and a major milestone for any tournament grinder.

The event was staged at the Chamada Prestige Hotel & Spa in Cyprus, with a $1,100 buy-in and a massive field of 953 entries. That kind of turnout is exactly why WPT Prime continues to matter: it offers a meaningful title, a strong prize pool, and a field that is tough enough to be respected but still accessible for ambitious live players.

From chip leader to runner-up

Tahar entered the final day in a commanding position. Among the last eight players, he was the big chip leader, which gave him a real chance to convert a great stack into a title.

But poker tournaments rarely follow the script. As the final table progressed, Bulgarian player Ivelin Kolev steadily gained momentum and eventually overtook the rest of the field. He played the endgame with patience and pressure, two qualities that often separate a final-table survivor from a champion.

By the time heads-up play began, Tahar was already at a significant chip disadvantage. He could not reverse the match, and Kolev closed it out to take the win and the $171,600 top prize.

WPT Prime Cyprus Main Event final table results

The final table featured a diverse group of players, and the payouts reflect how valuable a deep run can be even without the trophy.

• Ivelin Kolev — $171,600
• Said Tahar — $100,000
• Joseph El Khoury — $74,000
• Andreas Christodoulo — $56,000
• Johan Storakers — $42,500
• Bora Kurtulus — $32,000
• Sergiu Cornea — $24,800
• Ismail Yagci — $19,300

For players who follow live poker closely, this final table is another reminder that consistency at the business end of a tournament is often more valuable than a flashy early run. Real money is made when stacks get shallow, pressure rises, and every decision starts carrying ICM weight.

Why this result matters for Said Tahar

Even without the title, this is a breakthrough-level result for Tahar. His combined live tournament earnings now exceed $1.35 million, which places him firmly among the more established names on the circuit.

What makes this run even more notable is that it adds to a recent stretch of strong finishes, including a runner-up result at the Wynn Summer Classic in Las Vegas and a strong showing in the EPT Monte-Carlo Main Event. That consistency suggests a player who is not just running well, but repeatedly navigating deep fields at a high level.

For players looking to improve their own tournament path, it helps to understand both the competitive landscape and the ecosystems that support it. Studying [poker rooms]( /en/pokerrooms ), [poker clubs]( /en/pokerclubs ) and a structured [poker school]( /en/pokerschool ) can make a real difference when preparing for live series.

Expert analysis: what Tahar’s run teaches tournament players

This result is a textbook example of why chip-leading the final day does not guarantee victory. At the final table, three things matter more than many players expect:

• ICM pressure and stack-size dynamics;
• opponent-specific adjustments in short-handed play;
• heads-up skill, where position, aggression and postflop precision often decide the match.

The practical takeaway is clear: if you regularly reach deep stages, you need dedicated training for 8-handed, 6-handed and heads-up situations. Many players are strong in the early and middle stages but leak EV when the tournament becomes a short-stack, pressure-heavy battle.

WPT Prime also continues to show why the $1,100 live segment is so attractive. The field is large enough to create a meaningful prize pool, but not so expensive that only the elite can enter. That balance is part of what keeps the series popular, especially for players who want a realistic shot at a life-changing score. Watching [promotions & bonuses]( /en/blog/promotions ) can also help players stretch their bankroll and prepare more efficiently for live events.

Final thoughts: a runner-up finish with major value

Said Tahar leaves Cyprus without the trophy, but with the biggest live cash of his career, a $100,000 payday and a new benchmark in his tournament résumé. In poker terms, that is a result that can change perception, confidence and future opportunities.

Ivelin Kolev, meanwhile, deserves full credit for navigating a 953-entry field and closing out the title. The WPT Prime Cyprus Main Event once again proved that live poker rewards patience, adaptation and endgame discipline as much as early momentum. For players chasing their own breakthrough, that is the lesson worth remembering.

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