PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus: High-Stakes Action Heats Up at Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa
The excitement continues to build at the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus, taking place in the luxurious confines of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. Today, one of the most anticipated events on the poker circuit kicked off: the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em event. As the final high-stakes tournament of the series, it is drawing in players looking to etch their names on the trophy.
A Competitive Field of Players
This year, the tournament attracted 64 entrants eager to test their skills. Players from around the globe put their gameplay to the test for their chance at glory. After ten fast-paced levels of play, the excitement whittled down the field to 34 players, each of whom will continue their journey into Day 2. With registration still open until the start of play tomorrow, more competitors are expected to join the fray for their last opportunity to claim victory in this prestigious series.
Leading the Pack: Farid Jattin
As the cards were laid down and the chips counted, Farid Jattin emerged as the chip leader with a commanding stack of 477,000 chips. The Colombian pro has made a name for himself in the poker community, thanks in part to his sharp instincts and strategic mindset. Following closely behind is the seasoned pro Adrian Mateos, who holds a robust stack of 425,000 chips. Mateos has consistently placed himself among the elite ranks of the poker world, and his performance today only reinforces that reputation.
Current Top Ten Chip Counts:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farid Jattin | Colombia | 477,000 | 95 |
| 2 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | 425,000 | 85 |
| 3 | Nikita Kuznetsov | Russia | 406,000 | 81 |
| 4 | Mikalai Vaskaboinikau | Belarus | 364,000 | 73 |
| 5 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 360,000 | 72 |
| 6 | Marius Kudzmanas | Lithuania | 286,000 | 57 |
| 7 | Simone Andrian | Italy | 286,000 | 57 |
| 8 | Gregoire Auzoux | France | 254,000 | 51 |
| 9 | Aren Bezhanyan | Armenia | 254,000 | 51 |
| 10 | Peng Chen | China | 250,000 | 50 |
Among those going into Day 2 is the formidable Mikalai Vaskaboinikau, already having secured a victory in the $50,000 Super High Roller earlier in the series. He holds a notable stack of 364,000, and many are watching closely to see if he can add a second EPT title to his collection.
The Thrill of the Game: Rebuy Madness
Today’s action was marked not only by skilled play but also strategic gambles, reflected in the total of 14 re-entries made throughout the tournament. Notable players like Hassan Nashar and Vladimir Korzinin showed off their boldness, each taking the plunge with four buy-ins apiece.
Nashar’s daring endeavors paid off splendidly; after entering with a fresh stack, he quickly found himself in an all-in pot with the inferior king-six against Felipe Fontoura Ketzer’s king-jack. In a nail-biting confrontation, the board facilitated a miraculous flush for Nashar, allowing him to immediately double his chips.
In contrast, Korzinin faced misfortune in a pivotal pot against Ren Lin. Despite having the upper hand preflop, Lin hit the nut straight on the flop, forcing Korzinin out of the tournament once more. Nevertheless, both players ultimately bagged chips—Nashar finishing with 249,000 and Korzinin with 90,000.
Looking Forward to Day 2
Play is set to resume on Sunday, October 20th, at noon local time. Action will continue at Level 11, with blinds at 2,000/5,000 and a 5,000 big blind ante. Contestants will compete fiercely until only one remains, with breaks scheduled throughout the day, depending on the floor’s discretion.
The PokerNews live reporting team stands ready to deliver real-time updates and in-depth coverage of the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em event at EPT Cyprus. As players gear up for battle, the stage is set for more thrilling poker action in the days to come. Stay tuned for the unfolding drama and skill that the world of poker promises to deliver!
