Day 2 of the $10,300 EPT High Roller: The Road to the Final Table
The curtains have nearly closed on Day 2 of the highly anticipated $10,300 EPT High Roller at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus, held at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. With a starting field of 215 entries whittled down to a mere 24 players, tension is palpable as the stakes rise heading into the final day of play.
Leaders of the Pack
As the dust settled at the end of Day 2, it was Steve O’Dwyer who emerged as the formidable chip leader with a staggering stack of 2,235,000. Known for his remarkable skill and strategic acumen, O’Dwyer, ranked 13th on the all-time money list with over $44 million in live tournament earnings, is on the verge of claiming his eighth coveted EPT trophy.
Hot on his heels is Diogo Coelho from Portugal, holding a chip count of 1,995,000. Coelho showcased his prowess earlier in the day, notably when he held strong with a top pair against Michel Molenaar to cross the two million mark. Completing the top three is Shankui Li from China, who ended the day with 1,725,000 chips, riding high on a late-session heater against Aliaksandr Shylko.
These players are not just vying for chips; they are in pursuit of poker fame and a healthy chunk of the $4,423,200 prize pool, with the ultimate prize for the winner set at an impressive $865,700.
Diogo Coelho
Day 2 Highlights
The day kicked off with renewed hope as the previous day’s count of 164 was bolstered by an additional 51 max late registrations, bringing the total number of players to 215. The atmosphere was electric as players navigated through twelve intense 50-minute levels, each decision weighing heavily on their tournament life.
From the get-go, action was frenetic, with notable exits before the first break including PokerStars Ambassador Parker Talbot and renowned players Dimitar Danchev, Artur Martirosian, and Nicholas Palma. It quickly became clear that competition was fierce, and every chip was hard-earned.
A Day of Knockouts
The eliminations continued at a rapid pace, with Jessica Teusl making a surprising surge up the leaderboard, showcasing her ability to adapt and counter the aggressive plays around her. Meanwhile, Niklas Astedt faced ups and downs, battling back from a tough cooler before maneuvering himself into the top ten by day’s end.
As the night deepened, players like Roberto Romanello and Ray Qartomy found themselves cashing out with minimum payouts after a series of challenging rounds. The bubble burst soon after the dinner break when Stephen Song, the EPT Barcelona Main Event champion, was knocked out without a return on his investment. This snap of fate highlights the unpredictable and often harsh nature of high-stakes poker.
Final Day Anticipation
With only 24 players left, the scene is vividly set for a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, October 20, at noon local time. The remaining competitors will return to battle in Level 23, with blinds set at 10,000/25,000 and a 25,000 big blind ante, making every decision pivotal as they push for the final table and a chance to clinch the trophy.
The excitement is contagious, and as we count down to the final day, all eyes will be on our chip leaders O’Dwyer, Coelho, and Li, alongside some other dangerous contenders lurking just below the surface, such as Andras Nemeth, Stoyan Madanzhiev, and Lars Kamphues.
Conclusion
As the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour unfolds under the bright lights of Cyprus, players and fans alike hold their breaths in anticipation. Who will rise to the occasion? Will O’Dwyer solidify his status as a living legend, or will an underdog seize the moment to claim their first major title?
Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage from PokerNews as we deliver every critical moment in what promises to be an exhilarating finale in this high-stakes showdown. With emotions running high and stakes never higher, the world of poker will be watching closely as this thrilling story reaches its climax.
