Rob Yong rarely gives interviews, which makes this latest conversation from the Onyx Club at the Merit Royal Hotel in Cyprus especially exclusive. The video was brought to viewers by Teddy Bremseth and hosted by poker.pro’s Glenn Brown, giving poker fans a rare chance to hear directly from one of the game’s most private and influential high-stakes figures.
The interview, titled “Rob Yong talks about the exclusive Onyx Poker Club in Cyprus & the Merit hotel & his plans,” offers a detailed look at why Cyprus has become the right home for Onyx and how the venue is being shaped into a boutique VIP poker destination. For readers who may not know him, Yong is a high-stakes poker player, the longtime owner of Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham, and the founder of Onyx Club.
Why Cyprus fits Onyx
Cyprus offers players exactly what they need for a luxury poker trip: strong hospitality, a high-end hotel experience, warm weather, and a relaxed setting that works perfectly for intense poker sessions. The island’s position between Europe and the Middle East also gives it a unique edge as a poker destination. Yong believes that the combination has helped Cyprus become one of the strongest poker hubs in the world.
He also points out that the destination is not built for the party crowd. Instead, it is ideal for players who want to focus on poker while still enjoying the benefits of a premium resort environment.
Cash games come first
A major theme of the interview is that Onyx is cash game first. Yong says the poker market already has enough major tournament operators, so Onyx does not need to chase the same space. Instead, the club is focused on premium cash games, a polished live stream product, and only a small number of larger tournament series each year.
That approach is intentional. Yong wants Onyx to remain a niche luxury product rather than a mass-market poker brand. The result is a room that feels curated and exclusive, with a clear identity built around high-end action.
The stream as part of the product
The stream is a major part of the Onyx identity. Yong praises the quality of Onyx Live and says it has become an important part of the room’s growth. It helps showcase the action while reinforcing the club’s VIP appeal, turning the stream into both entertainment and marketing.
According to Yong, that stream setup is one of the best fixed poker productions he has seen. That matters because it gives Onyx a platform that supports the room’s identity without forcing it into a more conventional tournament model.
High Roller Series vision
That premium approach is also reflected in the Onyx Super High Roller Series, which runs Aug. 7-16 and features 10 events at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Northern Cyprus. The series is built to combine luxury surroundings, big buy ins, and premium cash game action, reinforcing Onyx’s position as a destination for elite players who want both tournament prestige and a strong side game ecosystem.
- Read more: Onyx Club High Roller Series to Combine Luxury, Big Buy-Ins, and Premium Cash-Game Action
It is also a good example of how Onyx is positioning itself in the market: exclusive, high end, and focused on players who want more than just a standard tournament stop. In other words, the big events matter, but they still sit inside a broader VIP experience built around service and selectivity.
Growth without the pressure
Yong repeatedly stresses that Onyx is meant to grow organically. He is not interested in scaling too quickly or diluting the experience by chasing volume. Instead, the goal is to keep the business boutique, flexible, and centered on quality.
That mindset helps explain why Onyx has such a distinctive feel. It is not trying to be everything to everyone; it is trying to be the best possible version of a luxury poker room for a very specific audience.
A relaxed interview worth watching
What makes this interview stand out is how relaxed it feels. Yong is not just talking business; he is also talking about the kind of players he would like to see at Onyx and the atmosphere he wants to build there. That gives the conversation a more personal feel and makes it an easy watch for anyone who follows destination poker or the high stakes scene.
The bigger picture is simple: Onyx has grown a lot at Merit Royal Hotel in Cyprus, but it still feels like the same boutique project at heart. For poker fans who enjoy high-stakes cash games, luxury venues, and a behind-the-scenes look at where the game is heading, this is one worth checking out.
