Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Dominates at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus
The 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus is wrapping up in style, with the intensity of the competition reaching a fever pitch. One of the last standout events, the $10,200 No-Limit Hold’em, provided players another opportunity to claim a prestigious trophy amid the lavish surroundings of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. Among the competitors was none other than Mikalai Vaskaboinikau, a Belarusian professional poker player who has been on a remarkable hot streak this year. With unwavering determination, Vaskaboinikau seized another victory, adding yet another accolade to his illustrious career.
Vaskaboinikau’s Remarkable Year
This year has been a landmark period for Vaskaboinikau. In May, he made headlines by clinching the Triton Poker SHRS Montenegro Main Event, where he triumphed over a formidable field and bagged a staggering $4.737 million—a feat that constituted over half of his lifetime tournament earnings. His momentum didn’t stop there; just a week prior to the $10,200 No-Limit Hold’em event in Cyprus, he triumphed in the $50,000 Super High Roller, securing an impressive $601,397 and marking his first PokerStars Shard trophy. With this latest win, he has further established himself as one of the most dominant players in today’s poker landscape.
A Thrilling Finale
As the two-day tournament neared conclusion, the excitement was palpable. Ren Lin ultimately fell in third place, pocketing $109,500, setting the stage for a heads-up showdown between Vaskaboinikau and Bulgaria’s Krasimir Neychev. Despite holding a significant chip lead, Vaskaboinikau surprised observers by proposing a 50-50 split of the prize money, contingent on one condition—he wanted the trophy.
"I really wanted the trophy,” Vaskaboinikau expressed, emphasizing the pride associated with such accolades. “These trophies are where you get proud of yourself, right? I said earlier in the series, we have two kids, and the third is coming, so I need the third trophy—and I’ve got it already!”
Neychev, respecting Vaskaboinikau’s wish for the trophy, agreed to the deal. Both players walked away with $195,500, but the coveted title of champion went to Vaskaboinikau.
The High-Octane Tournament Action
The $10,200 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event attracted 87 entries across 65 unique players, generating a robust prize pool of $843,900. The structure of the tournament, featuring turbo formats, lent itself to swift eliminations and high-stakes confrontations. By the first level of Day 2, ten players had already been knocked out, a testament to the fierce competition.
Prominent players like Ren Lin showcased their skills early, applying intense pressure and accumulating significant stacks. Vaskaboinikau also made his presence felt, steadily increasing his chip count while keeping an eye on chip leader Farid Jattin during the initial stages.
As the tournament progressed, Vaskaboinikau executed critical knockout hands, including one against Aren Bezhanyan, where his ace-king prevailed against Bezhanyan’s king-queen.
Navigating the Money Bubble and Final Table
Tension escalated as the tournament neared the bubble stage. One of the most dramatic moments occurred when Adrian Mateos, recognized as one of the world’s best players, made a significant hero call with a mid-pair, eliminating Gregoire Auzoux and ensuring that the remaining players would secure payouts.
Once the bubble burst, the eliminations sped up, with notable exits including Mateos and Fahredin Mustafov, both finishing in 11th for $21,100. Following them, Kully Sidhu reached the ninth position, marking a successful series total of $46,500.
As the final table began, the excitement escalated further. Vaskaboinikau, Lin, and Neychev emerged as the contestants to watch, swiftly knocking out opponents such as Julien Sitbon and Viktor Ustimov.
In a pivotal showdown, Ren Lin eliminated Farid Jattin, bringing the field down to three players and setting the stage for Vaskaboinikau’s eventual domination.
Reflecting on Success
Post-victory, Vaskaboinikau expressed sheer joy, saying, “It feels amazing! For ten years, no trophies, and now two in a row. The poker gods were really nice to me, and sometimes all the luck comes together!” With his recent victory, Vaskaboinikau’s lifetime live tournament winnings have soared past $9.50 million.
His success comes as a delightful convergence of professional poker triumphs and personal milestones, as Vaskaboinikau is soon to welcome his third child. With three trophies to his name, he now has the perfect symbol of his achievements in both poker and life.
Final Standings
The complete results of the tournament are as follows:
- Mikalai Vaskaboinikau – *$195,500 (trophy)**
- Krasimir Neychev – *$195,500 (no trophy)**
- Ren Lin – $109,500
- Farid Jattin – $84,300
- Julien Sitbon – $64,800
- Viktor Ustimov – $51,500
- Nikita Kuznetsov – $41,200
- Hassan Nashar – $33,000
- Kully Sidhu – $26,400
- Fahredin Mustafov – $21,100
- Adrian Mateos – $21,100
(*denotes a heads-up deal)
Conclusion
With such exhilarating action and stellar performances, the 2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus has proven to be a remarkable event in the poker calendar. Keep an eye on PokerGuru for all the latest updates and insights from the poker world, as we continue to celebrate the remarkable achievements and stories that unfold on the felt. The journey doesn’t end here, and with rising stars like Vaskaboinikau, the game of poker is set for more thrilling chapters in the future.
