Diogo Coelho Triumphs in the $2,200 Eureka High Roller at EPT Cyprus
The scene was electric at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus as the final day of the $2,200 Eureka High Roller played out at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour. After a grueling 16-hour Day 2 that saw the competition whittled down to just four players, excitement was palpable as they returned for an unscheduled third day. A staggering prize pool of $2,610,600 was up for grabs, and after just under two hours of play, Portuguese poker pro Diogo Coelho emerged victorious, conquering a total of 1,374 entries.
The Road to the Final Showdown
Coelho’s journey to the title was a nail-biting affair, especially as he faced off against Italy’s Michele Guerrini in the heads-up match. Prior to the showdown, the two players struck a deal—both players secured substantial sums of money, with Coelho taking home $357,048 for his win and Guerrini walking away with $328,592.
As the first casualty of the day, Lebanese player Ibrahim Ghassan was eliminated early on, while Mukhtor Nasiradinov, who had started the day as the chipleader, ended up finishing in a bittersweet third place.
Final Table Results
The intensity of the final table was matched only by the statistics. Here’s a recap of the payouts:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diogo Coelho | Portugal | $357,048* |
| 2 | Michele Guerrini | Italy | $328,592* |
| 3 | Mukhtor Nasiradinov | Russia | $187,410 |
| 4 | Ibrahim Ghassan | Lebanon | $144,610 |
| 5 | Ali Emre Ozcan | Turkey | $110,900 |
| 6 | Roman Timergazin | Russia | $85,310 |
| 7 | Gediminas Uselis | Lithuania | $65,630 |
| 8 | Leonid Logunov | Russia | $50,490 |
- denotes heads-up deal
Coelho’s Emotional Victory
This win marks Coelho’s second EPT trophy, adding to his previous triumph at the $10,300 High Roller during the inaugural EPT Paris. “It feels amazing,” he shared after the victory. “I never expected to win a trophy like this.” His journey to success was not a straightforward path. At one juncture on Day 2, Coelho found himself perilously low on chips, with less than two big blinds to his name after a harrowing hand where he value-bet his two pair into trips. “It is a situation where we lost a little bit of hope, but we still do whatever we can to make sure we come back,” he reflected, demonstrating the mental toughness that would ultimately propel him to victory.
The Final Day’s Action
Day 3 started with a rapid pace. Ghassan was the shortest stack and quickly fell victim to the intensity, getting eliminated within ten minutes of the day’s commencement after failing to improve despite being ahead. Coelho then found himself in a precarious position, briefly becoming the shortest stack at three-handed play, but a crucial double through Guerrini kept him afloat.
Meanwhile, Nasiradinov, despite starting as the chipleader, dwindled in chip count and was eventually knocked out in third place after facing Guerrini in a significant flip.
The Heads-Up Battle
As the heads-up commenced, Coelho and Guerrini began discussing a deal. They chopped the prize pool based on their chip counts, leaving $20,000 and the coveted trophy to contest. The two players showcased their skills in a tense back-and-forth battle, with Coelho slowly but surely gaining momentum.
On the final hand, Coelho opened with a shove that was instantly called by Guerrini. Coelho’s ace-seven was ahead of Guerrini’s king-eight, and with an ace hitting the board, Coelho’s victory was secured, leaving Guerrini as the runner-up.
After his momentous win, Coelho eagerly received his trophy, posing for photos before planning his next steps. He intends to reinvest a portion of his winnings in the Main Event, showcasing his ambition and determination to continue his poker journey.
Looking Ahead
As we conclude our coverage of the $2,200 Eureka High Roller, the spotlight now shifts to the remaining events of the EPT Cyprus. Will Diogo Coelho maintain his stellar performance in the Main Event? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the poker world will be watching closely.
For updates on Coelho and all the unfolding action, make sure to follow our ongoing coverage of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour. The struggle, the wins, and the camaraderie continue in the thrilling realm of professional poker.
