2026 Greek Poker Odyssea

After a frenetic five hours of action in Day 3 of the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea €1,000 Main Event, the field has been reduced to its official final table of eight players, who will return at 2 p.m. local time on June 19 for the final day at the Regency Casino, Thessaloniki.

They are led by Apostolos Kofidis of Greece (8,775,000), who holds a slender lead over Borislav Yosifov of Bulgaria (7,525,000), while Kofidis’ compatriot Fotios Ntamaris (5,725,000) completes the podium places.

With Emmanouil Asgoudakis (2,350,000) bringing up the rear on 23 big blinds, it is a deep-stacked final table, and all players will feel they have a fighting chance of lifting the trophy and chunky €78,920 first-place prize.

Kofidis has recorded career results of $33,601, with his career-best score being a 19th place finish in a Mystery Bounty event at EPT Paris in February.

Yosifov has racked up results totaling $350,000 since his first entry in 2013, with a career-best score of $30,874, while Ntamaris’ career stretches back to 2014, with a career-best result of $48,507 for victory in a freezeout event at EPT Prague 2024 among total results of almost $400,000.

Start of day chip leader Dimitar Toshev (4,250,000) has fallen back into the middle of the pack but is still standing, and will be a dangerous foe on the final day, along with Lulei Hu of Italy (4,525,000), who has secured a final table spot for the fourth time in the last month alone.

End of Day 3 Chip Counts

Position	Name	Country	Chip Count	Blinds
1	Apostolos Kofidis	Greece	8,775,000	87
2	Borislav Yosifov	Bulgaria	7,525,000	75
3	Fotios Ntamaris	Greece	5,725,000	57
4	Lulei Hu	Italy	4,525,000	45
5	Dimitar Toshev	Bulgaria	4,250,000	42
6	Dimitris Zournatzidis	Greece	4,200,000	42
7	Emmanouil Livanos	Greece	3,925,000	39
8	Emmanouil Asgoudakis	Greece	2,350,000	23

The remaining players have locked up a €8,720 payday, with the payouts still up for grabs as follows:-

2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea Main Event Remaining Payouts

Day 3 Recap

A total of 30 players returned for the penultimate day, with Toshev holding a significant lead over Hu and Yosifov, while Kofidis started just outside the top ten.

Vasilis Tzavos was first to go, and it was a brutal exit, busting to Vaggelis Kaimakamis despite holding the same hand.

Ntamaris got off to a strong start when he found a set against Nikolaos Tsinas, before Yosifov started to go on a tear, eliminating Kaimakamis and Alexios Messalas in quick succession to take the chip lead.

Yosifov continued to stack chips when he secured the double knockout of Fabian Bartuschk and Emmanouil Zacharakis, and Hu moved back among the leaders after a difficult start, when he spiked the river to dispose of Georgios Tzelis in the last hand before the first break.

The field was reduced to two tables shortly thereafter, and Georgios Mavroulias was the first to depart when he ran into the queens of Toshev.

Kofidis started to join the party when he picked up kings to crack Nikolaos Valtatzis, and short-stacks Ioannis Koulopoulos and Stefanos Kechagias both fell to Hu to further strengthen the Italian’s position.

A crazy hand then erupted that spelt the end of Alexandros Michas’ run in twelfth. Short-stack Emmanouil Livanos jammed with ace-seven suited, Yosifov rejammed with snowmen, but Michas woke up with queens in the big blind, and had a significant stack.

The flop gave Livanos trip sevens, but Yosifov picked up a full house on the turn, looking almost certain to secure another double knockout. However, Livanos drilled the river to make quads in unbelievable fashion to triple, and Yosifov was satisfied with taking the significant side-pot against Michas.

The unofficial final table bubble arose when Venelin Pashev ran ace-king into the cowboys of Dimitris Zournatzidis, and it was set when Panagiotis Arkeles’ run went south in successive hands, ultimately exiting to Livanos.

Kofidis showed he has some moves when he check-jammed the river with air against Paschalis Papadopoulos, and showed it. After Asgoudakis secured a double against Hu when behind, Papadopoulos was the last player to fall, busting to Kofidis despite getting it in good.

The players will return at 2 p.m. tomorrow, rather than the scheduled 3 p.m., for the final showdown, with almost the entirety of Level 24 still to be played, at blinds of 50,000/100,000/100,000, and the clock set to 75-minute levels.

As always, poker.pro will be on the floor from the start of play until the trophy is lifted, ensuring you do not miss a moment of the key action, so be sure to join us for the thrilling finale to the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea Main Event.

Apostolos Kofidis will start the final day with a slender lead over Borislav Yosifov, with the full counts below.

Position	Name	Country	Chip Count	Blinds
1	Apostolos Kofidis	Greece	8,775,000	87
2	Borislav Yosifov	Bulgaria	7,525,000	75
3	Fotios Ntamaris	Greece	5,725,000	57
4	Lulei Hu	Italy	4,525,000	45
5	Dimitar Toshev	Bulgaria	4,250,000	42
6	Dimitris Zournatzidis	Greece	4,200,000	42
7	Emmanouil Livanos	Greece	3,925,000	39
8	Emmanouil Asgoudakis	Greece	2,350,000	23

Stay tuned to poker.pro for a recap of the day.

Paschalis Papadopoulos moved all in for 900,000 from early position, and was looked up by Apostolos Kofidis in the small blind.

Paschalis Papadopoulos: A♦Q♠
Apostolos Kofidis: K♣Q♦

Papadopoulos was in a dominating position, but the king was in the window on the K♥7♣5♠ flop, and he could not reverse the position on the 2♣ turn or 6♦ river.

The elimination brings play to a conclusion in Day 3, with eight players to return for the final day on June 19, which the players have agreed to start at 2 p.m., rather than the scheduled 3 p.m.

Apostolos Kofidis – 8,775,000
Paschalis Papadopoulos – 0

Emmanouil Asgoudakis jammed from early position for 1,075,000, and was looked up by Lulei Hu in the small blind.

Emmanouil Asgoudakis: A♣Q♥
Lulei Hu: A♠K♦

Asgoudakis was pipped, but he found top pair, while Hu missed, the Q♣6♦5♠6♣4♥ runout.

Emmanouil Asgoudakis – 2,400,000
Lulei Hu – 4,525,000

Paschalis Papadopoulos opened to 175,000, and Apostolos Kofidis called in the small blind.

The 8♦7♦3♠ flop was checked to the 2♥ turn, where Kofidis led out with a bet of 175,000, and Papadopoulos called.

The A♥ hit on the river. Kofidis checked, and Papadopoulos fired out a bet of 450,000.

Kofidis responded with a check-jam, with the covering stack, earning a snap-fold from his opponent.

Kofidis windmilled K♣J♠ for air into the middle of the table. The players have been sent on a 20-minute break.

Apostolos Kofidis – 8,950,000
Paschalis Papadopoulos – 925,000

With around 750,000 in the middle on a board of 10♠7♣6♥10♥8♠, Paschalis Papadopoulos check-folded versus a bet of 580,000 from Emmanouil Livanons.

Emmanouil Livanos – 3,950,000
Paschalis Papadopolous – 1,750,000

The seating draw and chip counts for the unofficial final table are as follows, with play due to stop when one more player is eliminated, and Borislav Yosifov in the lead at the start of play.

Table	Seat	Player	Country	Chip Count	Blinds
1	1	Emmanouil Livanos	Greece	3,000,000	37
1	2	Apostolos Kofidis	Greece	6,800,000	85
1	3	Lulei Hu	Italy	5,760,000	72
1	4	Borislav Yosifov	Bulgaria	7,450,000	93
1	5	Paschalis Papadopoulos	Greece	1,575,000	19
1	6	Emmanouil Asgoudakis	Greece	1,300,000	16
1	7	Dimitris Zournatzidis	Greece	4,550,000	56
1	8	Fotios Ntamaris	Greece	6,500,000	81
1	9	Dimitar Toshev	Bulgaria	4,200,000	52

Panagiotis Arkeles opened to 200,000 from the button, and called a three-bet jam of 775,000 from Paschalis Papadopoulos in the big blind.

Paschalis Papadopoulos: 9♥9♦
Panagiotis Arkeles: 8♥8♠

Papadopoulos was in a great spot, and his double was confirmed by the A♠K♣5♦2♣3♠ runout.

In the next hand, Arkeles was all-in for 405,000 and at risk against Emmanouil Livanos in the big blind.

Panagiotis Arkeles: A♥3♣
Emmanouil Livanos: 10♠7♦

Arkeles was ahead, but Livanos rivered a pair on the A♠K♣5♦2♣10♦ runout.

Paschalis Papadopoulos – 1,600,000
Emmanouil Livanos – 2,980,000
Panagiotis Arkeles – 0

Apostolos Kofidis opened to 160,000 under the gun, and was met with a three-bet jam to 1,080,000 from Venelin Pashev.

Dimitris Zournatzidis was in the small blind, and he rejammed, forcing out Kofidis.

Venelin Pashev: A♦K♥
Dimitris Zournatzidis: K♠K♣

Pashev had a premium but had three outs, and Zournatzidis found top set on the J♣4♠2♦K♦4♣ runout.

Dimitris Zournatzidis – 4,750,000
Venelin Pashev – 0

Dimitris Zournatzidis opened to 160,000 from the cutoff, and called a three-bet jam of 680,000 from Venelin Pashev in the big blind.

Venelin Pashev: Q♣Q♥
Dimitris Zournatzidis: A♥9♦

Pashev was in good shape versus a solitary overcard, and he held across the K♥6♣3♣J♦4♣ runout.

Venelin Pashev – 1,340,000
Dimitris Zournatzidis – 3,450,000

Emmanouil Livanos raised to 500,000 from the hijack, leaving himself 75,000 behind, before Borislav Yosifov three-bet jammed with the covering stack from the button.

Alexandros Michas was in the big blind, and he moved his 1,900,000 stack into the middle, and Livanos got the rest of it in.

Emmanouil Livanos: A♦7♦
Alexandros Michas: Q♦Q♣
Borislav Yosifov: 8♠8♦

Michas looked in great shape, but Livanos found trips on the 7♥7♠2♦ flop.

Michas was ahead in the side-pot, but that changed when Yosifov drilled the 8♥ turn.

However, the drama was not done there, as Livanos found quads in unbelievable fashion on the 7♣ river.

Emmanouil Livanos – 1,565,000
Borislav Yosifov – 7,100,000
Alexandros Michas – 0

On a board of 8♣7♠2♥5♣, Stefanos Kechagias jammed for around 650,000 over a bet of 250,000 from Lulei Hu, who made the call.

Stefanos Kechagias: A♣6♥
Lulei Hu: Q♥7♥

Kechagias was on a draw versus Hu’s second pair, and the 5♥ river was a brick.

Lulei Hu – 5,650,000
Stefanos Kechagias – 0

Paschalis Papadopoulos jammed from the small blind, and Emmanouil Livanos called off for his stack of around 900,000 in the big blind.

Emmanouil Livanos: 8♥8♦
Paschalis Papadopoulos: K♦4♦

Livanos was ahead, and held across the A♠Q♣7♣A♣6♦ runout.

In the next hand, Alexandros Michas jammed from early position for 940,000, and Livanos looked him up.

Alexandros Michas: A♥K♠
Emmanouil Livanos: A♦Q♥

Michas had Livanos pipped, and ace-king high was good enough across the J♦7♠6♦9♠5♣.

Alexandros Michas – 1,700,000
Emmanouil Livanos – 580,000
Paschalis Papadopolous – 1,950,000

Lulei Hu opened to 150,000, and Ioannis Koulopoulos got his last 90,000 into the middle from the big blind

Ioannis Koulopoulos: 7♥6♣
Lulei Hu: 8♦7♦

Koulopoulos was crushed, and Hu’s kicker played on the 4♣4♥2♥J♣9♠ runout.

Lulei Hu – 4,900,000
Ioannis Koulopoulos – 0

Venelin Pashev opened to 120,000, and Dimitris Zournatzidis defended the big blind.

On the A♥10♣9♦ flop, Zournatzidis check-called a bet of 150,000 from Pashev.

The 7♠ hit on the turn, and Zournatzidis check-raised to 1,300,000 versus a double-barrel of 475,000 from Pashev, who folded after a fair spell in the tank.

Dimitris Zournatzidis – 4,550,000
Venelin Pashev – 1,450,000

Dimitris Zournatzidis opened to 120,000, and was met with a three-bet to 450,000 from Venelin Pashev in the small blind.

Zourantzidis four-bet to 825,000, and snap-called a five-bet jam for his roughly 2,300,000 stack from Pashev, who covered him.

Dimitris Zournatzidis: K♥K♠
Venelin Pashev: J♠J♣

It was a cooler between big pairs, and there were no surprises on the 10♠6♥3♣10♦6♣ runout.

Dimitris Zournatzidis – 4,900,000
Venelin Pashev – 1,700,000

Nikolaos Valtatzis was all-in for around 1,00,000 and at risk against Apostolos Kofidis.

Nikolaos Valtatzis: K♦Q♦
Apostolos Kofidis: K♠K♥

Valtatzis had run into a premium, and although the J♠10♦8♣ flop brought hope, he bricked the J♣ turn and 2♥ river.

Apostolos Kofidis – 3,700,000
Nikolaos Valtatzis – 0

Dimitar Toshev opened to 120,000, and called a three-bet jam of 660,000 from Georgios Mavroulias.

Georgios Mavroulias: A♥10♣
Dimitar Toshev: Q♦Q♣

Mavroulias needed help, but he bricked the 10♠6♥3♣10♦6♣ runout.

Dimitar Toshev – 4,300,000
Georgios Mavroulias – 0

Stefanos Kechagias limped from early position, and there was a raise to 215,000, before Ilias Zografos three-bet jammed for 465,000 from the big blind.

Kechagias rejammed for 1,100,000, forcing out the other player.

Ilias Zografos: 6♠6♦
Stefanos Kechagias: 7♣7♥

Zografos was crushed, but the 5♠4♠2♦ flop brought hope.

He found a set on the 6♥ turn, but the 7♦ rolled off on the river in unbelievable fashion to send Kechagias the pot.

Strefanos Kechagias – 1,650,000
Ilias Zografos – 0

Emmanouil Livanos opened to 120,000 from the button, and was met with a three-bet to 350,000 from Emmanouil Asgoudakis in the big blind.

Livanos four-bet jammed with the covering stack, and Asgoudakis snap-called for his total 980,000 stack.

Emmanouil Asgoudakis: K♥K♦
Emmanouil Livanos: Q♣Q♥

It was a cooler, and there were no surprises on the 7♥5♥4♦3♥J♦ runout.

Emmanouil Asgoudakis – 2,100,000
Emmanouil Livanos – 900,000

Venelin Pashev opened to 120,000 from early position, and received a call from Dimitar Toshev in the next seat, and Borislav Yosifov in the big blind.

On the A♠6♣5♣ flop, Pashev check-called a bet of 150,000 from Toshev, while Yosifov check-folded.

The same pattern followed on the 4♦ turn in respect of a bet of 450,000 from Toshev.

The 9♣ river completed the board, and Pashev led out with a bet of 375,000. Toshev called after an age in the tank, and mucked when Pashev tabled J♣8♣ for the flush.

At the other table, 1,100,000 had made its way into the middle on a board of 8♣7♣7♦K♥5♣, and Emmanouil Livanos check-called a bet of 480,000 from Lulei Hu, and mucked when Hu tabled 10♠7♠ for trip sevens.

Venelin Pashev – 4,000,000
Dimitar Toshev – 4,200,000
Lulei Hu – 4,365,000
Emmanouil Livanos – 2,200,000

In the last hand before the first 20-minute break of the day, Georgios Tzelis raised to 235,000 from the small blind, and was faced with a three-bet jam from Lulei Hu in the big blind with the covering stack.

Tzelis spent a good deal of time in the tank, but called off for his roughly 1,100,000 stack.

Georgios Tzelis: 9♥9♦
Lulei Hu: A♣4♣

Tzelis looked in great shape, and the K♥10♣6♣ flop, and 3♦ turn, were clear.

However the A♦ rolled off in cruel fashion on the river, much to Tzelis’s disgust.

Lulei Hu – 3,450,000
Georgios Tzelis – 0

With at least 1,800,000 in the middle on a board of A♦6♥4♥7♥10♦, Venelin Pashev check-folded versus a bet of 1,175,000 from Dimitar Toshev.

Dimitar Toshev – 5,500,000
Venelin Pashev – 2,300,000

Dimitris Zournatzidis opened to 100,000 from the cutoff, and Ivelin Kolev three-bet jammed from the button for 390,000.

Emmanouil Livanos cold-called in the small blind, and Zournatzidis also called.

On the A♣J♥4♣ flop, Livanos check-called a bet of 200,000 from Zournatzidis.

The 7♦ turn and 2♣ river were checked through.

Kolev had 5♦5♥, Livanos had 10♦10♣, but Zournatzidis took the pot with A♠Q♥.

Dimitris Zournatzidis – 2,100,000
Emmanouil Livanos – 3,100,000
Ivelin Kolev – 0

Alexandros Tasoulis was all-in and at risk against Dimitrios Zournatzidis.

Alexandros Tasoulis: A♠Q♥
Dimitrios Zournatzidis: K♣K♦

Tasoulis needed help, but he bricked the J♦6♣3♦6♦2♠ runout.

Dimitrios Zournatzidis – 2,100,000
Alexandros Tasoulis – 0

Fotios Ntamaris opened to 100,000, and called a three-bet jam of 365,000 from Ioannis Gerontas.

Ioannis Gerontas: A♣5♥
Fotios Ntamaris: 4♦4♠

It was off to the races, but Gerontas missed the K♠J♣3♦K♥K♣ runout.

Fotios Ntamaris – 3,300,000
Ioannis Gerontas – 0

Emmanouil Zacharakis moved all in for 255,000 under the gun, and received a call from Borislav Yosifov on the button, before Fabian Bartuschk three-bet jammed from the big blind for 1,350,000. Yosifov called after a brief spell in the tank.

Emmanouil Zacharakis: A♥2♦
Fabian Bartuschk: 10♠10♥
Borislav Yosifov: A♣K♣

Bartuschk was ahead, but Yosifov spiked the river on the Q♣6♥6♠J♥K♠ runout, to continue his rampage on Day 3.

Borislav Yosifov – 7,950,000
Fabian Bartuschk – 0
Emmanouil Zacharakis – 0

Ivan Popov opened to 100,000 under the gun, and called a three-bet jam from Georgios Tzelis in the big blind for his roughly 550,000 stack, with Tzelis just covering him.

Ivan Popov: A♦K♦
Georgios Tzelis: K♥Q♥

Popov looked in great shape, but Tzelis found top pair on the Q♣9♦2♥9♣6♣ runout.

Georgios Tzelis – 1,200,000
Ivan Popov – 0

Georgios Mavroulias opened to 105,000 from the cutoff, and Dimitris Zournatzidis defended the big blind.

On the A♦5♦3♠ flop, Zournatzidis check-called versus a bet of 60,000 from his opponent.

The 5♣ landed on the turn, and Zourantzidis check-folded without ceremony versus a double-barrel of 525,000 from Mavroulias.

Georgious Mavroulias – 1,180,000
Dimitris Zournatzidis – 815,000

Paschalis Papadopolous was all-in for 1,030,000 and at risk against Emmanouil Zacharakis, in a big blind versus button spot.

Paschalis Papadopolous: Q♠Q♣
Emmanouil Zacharakis: J♥J♣

It was a cooler, and Zacharakis was dead by the turn on the Q♦5♦2♦4♦2♥ runout.

Paschalis Papadopolous – 2,185,000
Emmanouil Zacharakis – 450,000

Ioannis Koulopoulos doubled his 230,000 stack through Stefanos Kechagias with ace-ten against king-jack, finding an ace.

Kechagias was then all-in against Dimitar Toshev and Alexandros Michas for around 350,000, and tripled with ace-jack against king-queen and pocket eights, on the jack high board.

Stefanos Kechagias – 1,100,000
Ioannis Koulopoulos – 585,000

Nikolaos Tsinas moved all in for 270,000 and was looked up by Fotios Ntamaris.

Nikolaos Tsinas: A♦6♦
Fotios Ntamaris: Q♥Q♠

Tsinas needed assistance, but insufficient help arrived on the 8♥7♦4♥10♣6♣ runout.

Fotios Ntamaris – 2,750,000
Nikolaos Tsinas – 0

Alexios Messalas was all-in for 375,000 and at risk against Borislav Yosifov.

Alexios Messalas: A♥8♥
Borislav Yosifov: Q♠10♠

Messalas was ahead, but he was dead by the turn after Yosifov flopped a flush on the A♠9♠K♠5♣6♣ runout.

Yosifov also disposed of Vaggelis Kaimakamis earlier, having rivered a wheel straight against Kaimakamis flopped set of fours.

Traianos-Alexandros Ntavoutis also came unstuck at another table.

Borislav Yosifov – 5,400,000
Alexios Messalas – 0
Vaggelis Kaimakamis – 0
Traianos-Alexandros Ntavoutis – 0

David Pitule was all-in for 500,000 and at risk against Fabian Bartuschk.

David Pitule: K♦J♥
Fabian Bartuschk: A♥8♦

Pitule needed help, but he bricked the 10♣5♣3♦6♠7♣ runout.

Fabian Bartuschk – 1,150,000
David Pitule – 0

With around 1,000,000 in the middle on a board of Q♣9♦7♥9♦2♦J♥, Nikolaos Tsinas checked to Fotios Ntamaris, who jammed for 715,000.

Tsinas made the call after a good spell in the tank, and was dismayed to see his A♠Q♥ was bested by Ntamaris’ 9♠9♣.

Fotios Ntamaris – 2,430,000
Nikolaos Tsinas – 160,000

David Pitule opened to 80,000 from early position, and Borislav Yosifov called on the button.

The A♦K♠8♠ flop was checked to the 3♠ turn, where Pitule led out with a bet of 125,000, which failed to dispose of his foe.

The 10♦ river completed the board, and Pitule double-barreled with a bet of 425,000. Yosifov quickly called, and his A♠10♣ for two pair was good versus Pitule’s 6♥5♥.

Borislav Yosifov – 3,700,000
David Pitule – 500,000

Venelin Pashev raised to 80,000 from the button, and called a three-bet jam of 325,000 from Fabian Bartuschk in the small blind.

Fabian Bartuschk: A♣5♣
Venelin Pashev: A♥Q♦

Bartuschk was crushed, and was up out of his chair. However he sat straight back down after flopping the nuts on the J♣7♣2♣6♦5♦ runout.

Fabian Bartuschk – 750,000
Venelin Pashev – 1,560,000

Vasilis Tzavos was all-in for 430,000 and at risk against Vaggelis Kaimakamis.

Vasilis Tzavos: 10♠10♦
Vaggelis Kaimakamis: 10♥10♣

A chop seemed certain, but Kaimakamis picked up a flush draw on the turn, and drilled it on the river, on the K♠Q♣7♣3♣8♣ runout.

Vaggelis Kaimakamis – 1,400,000
Vasilis Tzavos – 0

Ioannis Koulopoulos got his short-stack of 195,000 into the middle from under the gun, and was looked up by Nikolaos Valtatzis in the cutoff.

Ioannis Koulopoulos: A♦5♠
Nikolaos Valtatzis: 10♠10♦

Koulopoulos was in trouble, and while he missed the flop, he went runner-runner for trip aces on the K♠9♦8♣A♣A♥ runout.

“Back in the game!” celebrated Koulopoulos.

Ioannis Koulopoulos – 490,000
Nikolaos Valtatzis – 900,000

Play is underway here in Day 3 of the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea Main Event, stay tuned to poker.pro for all your coverage of what is sure to be an exciting day of poker thrills and spills!

A field of 414 runners has been whittled down to the final 30 players for the penultimate day of the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea €1,000 Main Event, who will return at 2 p.m. local time on June 18 for the penultimate day at the Regency Casino, Thessaloniki.

Dimitar Toshev of Bulgaria (5,370,000) holds a substantial lead, after subjecting David Kozma to a brutal cooler towards the end of play in Day 2, holding a 55 big blind lead over his nearest challenger, Lulei Hu of Italy (3,180,000), while Toshev’s compatriot Borislav Yosifov (2,970,000) completes the podium places.

Toshev boasts a career-best score of $68,420, and will be hoping to better that in the coming days by claiming the chunky first-place prize of €78,920, representing the majority of the €372,600 prize pool, a record for a Novibet event in Greece.

Hu has been in fine form this year, racking up two final tables in PokerStars Open events, increasing his career earnings to almost $1.6 million.

Yosifov is also no slouch at the poker tables, having secured cashes totaling almost $350,000 since his first entry in 2013, with a career-best score of $30,874 (All figures courtesy of The Hendon Mob).

Plenty of other high-quality players remain in the mix, including Greek duo, 2019 WSOPE Mini Main Event champion Vangelis Kaimakamis (920,000), and Fotios Ntamaris (1,275,000), while Ivan Popov (1,805,000) and Ivelin Kolev (760,000) are also potentially dangerous foes.

Start of Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts

Position	Name	Country	Chip Count	Blinds
1	Dimitar Toshev	Bulgaria	5,370,000	134
2	Lulei Hu	Italy	3,180,000	79
3	Borislav Yosifov	Bulgaria	2,970,000	74
4	Dimitris Zournatzidis	Greece	2,150,000	53
5	Manolis Livanos	Greece	1,830,000	45
6	Venelin Pashev	Bulgaria	1,815,000	45
7	Ivan Popov	Bulgaria	1,805,000	45
8	Panagiotis Arkeles	Greece	1,730,000	43
9	Manolis Asgoudakis	Greece	1,535,000	38
10	Traianos-Alexandros Ntavoutis	Greece	1,440,000	36

The players will return to blinds of 20,000/40,000/40,000, with the clock increased to 75-minute levels. Play will continue until the final table is reached.

Day 3 Seating Draw

The Day 3 seating draw is set out in full below, including chip counts:-

Table	Seat	Player	Country	Chip Count	Blinds
1	1	Nikolaos Valtatzis	Greece	1,035,000	25
1	2	Alexandros Michas	Greece	875,000	21
1	3	Ilias Zografos	Greece	715,000	17
1	4	Lulei Hu	Italy	3,180,000	79
1	5	Ioannis Koulopoulos	Greece	195,000	4
1	6	Stefanos Kechagias	Greece	975,000	24
1	7	Apostolos Kofidis	Greece	1,440,000	36
1	8	Panagiotis Arkeles	Greece	1,730,000	43
2	1	Emmanouil Livanos	Greece	1,830,000	45
2	2	Georgios Mavroulias	Greece	905,000	22
2	3	Alexandros Tasoulis	Greece	1,005,000	25
2	4	Emmanouil Asgoudakis	Greece	1,535,000	38
2	5	Georgios Tzelis	Greece	740,000	18
2	6	Empty
2	7	Dimitris Zournatzidis	Greece	2,150,000	53
2	8	Emmanouil Zacharakis	Greece	1,190,000	29
3	1	Fabian Bartuschk	Germany	405,000	10
3	2	Traianos-Alexandros Ntavoutis	Greece	1,440,000	36
3	3	David Pitule	Czech Republic	1,200,000	30
3	4	Alexios Messalas	Greece	885,000	22
3	5	Vasilis Tzavos	Greece	430,000	10
3	6	Vaggelis Kaimakamis	Greece	920,000	23
3	7	Borislav Yosifov	Bulgaria	2,970,000	74
3	8	Venelin Pashev	Bulgaria	1,815,000	45
4	1	Ioannis Gerontas	Greece	420,000	10
4	2	Dimitar Toshev	Bulgaria	5,370,000	134
4	3	Paschalis Papadopoulos	Greece	1,145,000	28
4	4	Ivelin Kolev	Bulgaria	760,000	19
4	5	Ivan Popov	Bulgaria	1,805,000	45
4	6	Empty
4	7	Nikolaos Tsinas	Greece	935,000	23
4	8	Fotios Ntamaris	Greece	1,275,000	31

All players have locked up a €2,460 payday, but will have their focus firmly fixed on the €78,920 first-place prize, with the remaining payouts as follows:-

2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea Main Event Remaining Payouts

Although the festival is nearing its conclusion, there are still plenty of side-events for players to enjoy, with the remaining schedule set out below.

2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea Remaining Schedule

poker.pro will be on the floor from cards in the air in Day 3 until the end of play, bringing you all the action and big moments, so stay tuned to see who can put themselves in pole position to lift the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea Main Event trophy.

The dust has settled on Day 2 of the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea €1,000 Main Event, and after six 60-minute levels of play, a field of 111 players has been reduced to the final 30, who will return at 2 p.m. local time on June 18 for the penultimate day at the Regency Casino, Thessaloniki.

They are led by Bulgarian Dimitar Toshev (5,370,000), who holds a healthy lead over start of day chip leader Lulei Hu of Italy (3,180,000), primarily gained from being the beneficiary of a brutal cooler versus fellow big stack David Kozma towards the end of play.

Toshev’s compatriot Borislav Yosifov (2,970,000) completes the podium places, and plenty of other high-quality players remain in the mix, including Greek duo, 2019 WSOPE Mini Main Event champion Vangelis Kaimakamis (920,000), and Fotios Ntamaris (1,275,000).

Toshev boasts a career-best score of $68,420, and will be hoping to better that in the coming days by claiming the chunky first-place prize of €78,920, representing the majority of the €372,600 prize pool, a record for a Novibet event in Greece.

Hu has been in fine form this year, racking up two final tables in PokerStars Open events, increasing his career earnings to almost $1.6 million.

Yosifov is also no slouch at the poker tables, having secured cashes totaling almost $350,000 since his first entry in 2013, with a career-best score of $30,874 (All figures courtesy of The Hendon Mob).

End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Position	Name	Country	Chip Count	Blinds
1	Dimitar Toshev	Bulgaria	5,370,000	179
2	Lulei Hu	Italy	3,180,000	106
3	Borislav Yosifov	Bulgaria	2,970,000	99
4	Dimitris Zournatzidis	Greece	2,150,000	71
5	Manolis Livanos	Greece	1,830,000	61
6	Venelin Pashev	Bulgaria	1,815,000	60
7	Ivan Popov	Bulgaria	1,805,000	60
8	Panagiotis Arkeles	Greece	1,730,000	57
9	Manolis Asgoudakis	Greece	1,535,000	51
10	Traianos-Alexandros Ntavoutis	Greece	1,440,000	48

Day 2 Recap

A total of 111 players returned for Day 2, with 53 places to be paid, and the knockouts came thick and fast, as players such as Rob McAdam, Leonidas Georgopoulos and Konstantinos Kertikidis suffered early exits.

Toshev also suffered some early misfortune when he ran queens into aces, and Hu still held the lead at the first break.

Halfway through the second session, the bubble arose, and Panagiotis Arkeles seemed certain to be the unfortunate player to leave empty-handed, when he ran kings into Hu’s aces. However, Arkeles went runner-runner for the flush, and erupted after the river hit, unleashing an almighty roar of celebration.

Yosifov burst the bubble when he turned a flush against Georgios Zisimopoulos, and players such as Lorenzo Arduini, Martin Tsvetanov and Dimitrios Sarris all left with a minimum cash of €1,900.

The cooler between Toshev and Kozma then transpired, leaving Toshev on cruise control until the end of play, while Artemios Fournaris and Georgios Tsialtas were among the final casualties of the day.

The 30 players remaining have secured a €2,460 payday, with a final table spot set to boost bankrolls by €7,155, but all combatants will surely be dreaming of the €78,920 first-place prize tonight.

The players will return at 2 p.m. on June 18 for the penultimate day, to blinds of 20,000/40,000/40,000, and 75-minute levels, with play set to continue until the final table is reached.

poker.pro will be on the floor from the start of play, ensuring not a moment of the action is missed, so stay tuned as we see who can move into pole position for a tilt at the 2026 Novibet Greek Poker Odyssea Main Event title.

The full end of Day 2 chip counts are below, with Dimitar Toshev taking a healthy lead into Day 3.

Position	Name	Country	Chip Count	Blinds
1	Dimitar Toshev	Bulgaria	5,370,000	179
2	Lulei Hu	Italy	3,180,000	106
3	Borislav Yosifov	Bulgaria	2,970,000	99
4	Dimitris Zournatzidis	Greece	2,150,000	71
5	Manolis Livanos	Greece	1,830,000	61
6	Venelin Pashev	Bulgaria	1,815,000	60
7	Ivan Popov	Bulgaria	1,805,000	60
8	Panagiotis Arkeles	Greece	1,730,000	57
9	Manolis Asgoudakis	Greece	1,535,000	51
10	Traianos-Alexandros Ntavoutis	Greece	1,440,000	48
11	Apostolos Kofidis	Greece	1,440,000	48
12	Fotios Ntamaris	Greece	1,275,000	42
13	David Pitule	Czech Republic	1,200,000	40
14	Manolis Zacharakis	Greece	1,190,000	39
15	Paschalis Papadopoulos	Greece	1,145,000	38
16	Nikos Valtatzis	Greece	1,035,000	34
17	Alexandros Tasoulis	Greece	1,005,000	33
18	Stefanos Kechagias	Greece	975,000	32
19	Nikos Tsinas	Greece	935,000	31
20	Vangelis Kaimakamis	Greece	920,000	30
21	Giorgos Mavroulias	Greece	905,000	30
22	Alexis Messalas	Greece	885,000	29
23	Alexandros Michas	Greece	875,000	29
24	Ivelin Kolev	Bulgaria	760,000	25
25	Giorgos Tzelis	Greece	740,000	24
26	Ilias Zografos	Greece	715,000	23
27	Vasilis Tzavos	Greece	430,000	14
28	Giannis Gerontas	Greece	420,000	14
29	Fabian Bartuschk	Germany	405,000	13
30	Ioannis Koulopoulos	Greece	195,000	6

Dimitris Zournatzidis opened to 110,000, and received calls from Dimitar Toshev in the cutoff, and Georgios Tsialtas in the big blind.

On the 9♥4♥3♥ flop, Tsialtas led out with a bet of 100,000, and was met with a raise to 350,000 by Zournatzidis.

Toshev folded, but Tsialtas moved his total stack of around 800,000 into the middle. Zournatzidis made a quick call.

Georgios Tsialtas: 4♦3♠
Dimitris Zournatzidis: A♥9♣

It was two pair versus top pair with the flush draw, and the A♦ turn put Zournatzidis in front, the 5♦ river completing the board.

Vasyl Vorynka was also seen gathering his things and heading for the payout desk at another table.

Play has now concluded in Day 2, with 30 players progressing to the penultimate day, which kicks off at 2 p.m. June 18.

Stay tuned for updated chip counts and a recap of the day.

Dimitris Zournatzidis – 2,150,000
Georgios Tsailtas – 0
Vasyl Vorynka – 0

As the last five hands were called, Artemios Fournaris jammed from the small blind for 280,000, and was looked up by Lulei Hu.

Artemios Fournaris: Q♣5♦
Lulei Hu: K♥Q♠

Fournaris was crushed, and Hu flopped trips on the K♦K♠9♦J♣4♥ runout.

Kosmas Maroudas and Ioannis Atzaris busted at other tables at the same time.

Lulei Hu – 3,100,000
Artemios Fournaris – 0
Kosmas Maroudas – 0
Ioannis Atzaris – 0

Martin Tsvetanov was all-in for 380,000 and at risk against Paschalis Papadopolous.

Martin Tsvetanov: A♠K♠
Paschalis Papadopolous: A♣7♦

Tsvetanov was in a dominating position, but he missed, while Papadopolous found a pair, on the 8♦8♣7♠5♠5♦ runout.

Paschalis Papadopolous – 1,0550,000
Martin Tsvetanov – 0

Dimitrios Zournatzidis was all-in for 695,000 and at risk against Paschalis Papadopoulos.

Dimitrios Zournatzidis: A♣A♠
Paschalis Papadopolous: Q♠Q♣

It was a pure cooler, and there was no two-outer for Papadopolous on the 8♣6♦3♥3♦9♠ runout.

At the same time, Pierros Pantos was getting up out of his chair and heading for the payout desk.

Dimitrios Zournatzidis – 1,465,000
Paschalis Papadopoulos – 600,000
Pierros Pantos – 0

Athanasios Syntikos jammed from the button for 125,000, and was looked up by Ioannis Gerontas in the big blind.

Athanasios Syntikos: K♥9♥
Ioannis Gerontas: A♥10♠

Syntikos needed help, but he bricked the A♣Q♠2♦J♦6♦ runout.

Ioannis Gerontas – 765,000
Athanasios Syntikos – 0

Alexios Messalas jammed for 365,000 from early positon, and was looked up by Vasilis Tzavos.

Alexios Messalas: K♥K♦
Vasilis Tzavos: A♣Q♥

Messalas had the goods, and there were no surprises on the J♣6♥5♦7♦2♥.

Vasileios Mirisiotis was also seen heading for the payout desk from another table.

Alexios Messalas – 805,000
Vasilis Tzavos – 970,000
Vasileios Mirisiotis – 0

The last level of play in Day 2 is underway, with Day 3 set to kick off at 2 p.m. on June 18.

With around 600,000 in the middle on a board of A♠J♠9♣J♦, Ivelin Kolev fired out a bet of 200,000 from the small blind, which failed to shake off Paschalis Papadopoulos.

The 4♠ river completed the board. Kolev slowed down with a check, and Papadopoulos shipped his 385,000 remaining stack into the middle.

Kolev burnt through his last three time banks before folding, while David Kozma exited after being on the wrong end of the aces versus kings cooler versus Dimitar Toshev.

Paschalis Papadopolous – 1,385,000
Ivelin Kolev – 675,000
David Kozma – 0

Dimitar Toshev opened to 50,000 under the gun, and was met with a three-bet to 170,000 from David Kozma in middle position.

Action folded back to Toshev, who pumped it up to 500,000. Kozma took a fair bit of time to think, but made the call.

On the J♥4♦3♣ flop, Toshev continued with a bet of 350,000, and Kozma called.

The 10♦ rolled off on the turn, and Toshev took some time to contemplate the position before moving all in for 1,425,000, with Kozma just covering him.

Kozma took about 30 seconds before he made the call, creating a huge pot between two big stacks.

Dimitar Toshev: A♦A♠
David Kozma: K♥K♠

It was the cooler of all coolers, and there were no surprises on the 7♥ river.

At another table, Simon Hajek was seen heading for the exits.

Dimitar Toshev – 4,600,000
David Kozma – 80,000
Simon Hajek – 0

With around 160,000 in the middle on a board of J♣10♣8♦2♦, Anastasios Vardalis was all-in for 200,000 and at risk against Vasilis Tzavos.

Anastasios Vardalis: 9♦8♣
Vasilis Tzavos: A♠Q♠

Vardalis was ahead with third pair, but Tzavos had outs to the ace and the straight, and the A♣ duly arrived on the river, much to Vardalis’ frustration.

Georgios Varkaris was also sent to the rail at another table.

Vasilis Tzavos – 1,125,000
Anastasios Vardalis – 0
Georgios Varkaris – 0

Georgios Tzelis opened to 55,000 from middle position, and called a three-bet jam of 175,000 from Georgios Rozakos.

Georgios Rozakos: A♥A♦
Georgios Tzelis: A♠6♥

Rozakos had the goods, but Tzelis picked up a pair on the Q♦9♥6♠ flop.

The 6♣ hit on the river in cruel fashion to leave Rozakos with one out, and it did not arrive on the 8♣ river.

Tzelis offered his apologies to his opponent, who accepted them with good grace, wishing the table good luck as he left.

Georgios Tzelis – 715,000
Georgios Rozakos – 0

Borislav Yofisov leads the way as the players return from dinner break, with the top stacks as follows:-

Borislav Yosifov – 2,950,000
David Kozma – 2,205,000
Dimitar Toshev – 2,100,000
Emmanouil Livanos – 2,015,000
Lulei Hu – 2,010,000

The players have been sent on a 40-minute dinner break, with play due to get back underway at 8.28 p.m. local time.

Ioannis Georgopoulos, Jan Zupec, Simeon Ivanov,V.C., Lorezno Arduini, Dimitrios Sarris, Georgios Mylonas and Christos Lazopoulos are the first players to exit with a hard-earned minimum cash.