Thrilling Day 2 at the $10,300 EPT High Roller: O’Dwyer Leads Final 24
Day 2 of the renowned $10,300 EPT High Roller at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus has come to an exhilarating finish at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. The original field of 215 entries has been whittled down to 24 players, setting the stage for a riveting final day after an action-packed session of twelve 50-minute levels.
A Star-Studded Field and Leaderboard
In a tough competition featuring many of the world’s elite players, Steve O’Dwyer emerged as the chip leader at the end of the day, amassing an impressive stack of 2,235,000 chips. O’Dwyer, a legend in the poker world, currently ranks 13th on the all-time money list with over $44,000,000 in recorded cashes. With an eye on securing his eighth EPT trophy, his experience and skills make him a formidable contender as he leads the final day.
Close behind O’Dwyer is Diogo Coelho from Portugal, holding a robust stack of 1,995,000 chips. Coelho has been on a stellar run, having already claimed victory in the $2,200 Eureka High Roller earlier in the week for over $350,000. He is eager to add another trophy to his collection, currently boasting nearly $2,300,000 in live winnings, making him the seventh highest in the Portuguese all-time money list.
Completing the podium is Shankui Li from China, sitting with 1,725,000 chips. Li has made significant progress during this EPT, already pocketing his two largest live cashes, and now aims for his first six-figure score.
Day 2 Action: A High-Stakes Battle
The excitement of Day 2 was amplified by the fact that a total of 456 entries were made throughout the event, resulting in a lucrative $4,423,200 prize pool. There are 63 places paid, with a minimum cash reward of $18,300 and a coveted seat at the final table guaranteeing at least $92,400. The eventual champion will walk away with a life-changing prize of $865,700.
The day started with an optimistic outlook but quickly turned intense as players vied for a coveted spot in the money. Unfortunately, it was Sonny Franco who faced an early exit, setting the tone for a day filled with knockouts. Prominent names like Dimitar Danchev, Artur Martirosian, Nicholas Palma, and Parker Talbot all fell victim to the relentless pace of play before the first break.
Momentum Shifts and Bubble Play
The initial chip leaders from Day 1, Parahat Nurmuhammedov and Ray Qartomy, held onto their positions early on, while Jessica Teusl made a significant climb up the leaderboard with strategic plays. Meanwhile, players such as Sergi Reixach, Antoine Saout, and Sam Grafton suffered unfortunate busts, leaving them to watch the action from the sidelines.
As the day progressed, Niklas Astedt gained traction but suffered a setback in a cooler against Aleksejs Ponakovs. Nevertheless, he managed to recover, ultimately landing among the top ten as the day concluded. In a show of strategic prowess, Astedt delivered a check-jam on the bubble to secure his place in the competition.
The bubble burst quickly after the dinner break, unexpectedly trapping Stephen Song, the EPT Barcelona Main Event champion, as he went out with no return on investment after his pocket kings were cracked. As play continued, other notable exits included Romanello, Qartomy, and Nurmuhammedov, all of whom managed to cash but left the tournament before reaching the final stages.
The Final Day’s Anticipation
The remaining players will reconvene on Sunday, October 20, at noon local time to continue the battle for the prestigious EPT High Roller trophy. The stakes are raised as they return to Level 23 with blinds at 10,000/25,000 and a 25,000 big blind ante.
With a stellar lineup poised to compete, the final day promises to deliver thrilling moments, strategic play, and nail-biting intensity. Be sure to follow PokerNews for comprehensive coverage of this captivating climax at EPT Cyprus, as fans around the world eagerly await to see who will emerge victorious from this illustrious high-stakes event.
End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve O’Dwyer | Ireland | 2,235,000 | 89 |
| 2 | Diogo Coelho | Portugal | 1,995,000 | 79 |
| 3 | Shankui Li | China | 1,725,000 | 69 |
| 4 | Andras Nemeth | Hungary | 1,550,000 | 62 |
| 5 | Stoyan Madanzhiev | Bulgaria | 1,370,000 | 54 |
| 6 | Lars Kamphues | Austria | 1,335,000 | 53 |
| 7 | Niklas Astedt | Sweden | 1,200,000 | 48 |
| 8 | Adrian Cazacu | Romania | 1,000,000 | 40 |
| 9 | Jelle Moene | Netherlands | 915,000 | 36 |
| 10 | Sebastian Malec | Poland | 910,000 | 36 |
Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown in the world of high-stakes poker!
