A Brief Day 1 Overview of the $25,000 Second Chance Event
The excitement of the European Poker Tour (EPT) continues with the commencement of the $25,000 Second Chance, hosted at the prestigious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus. On Day 1, a total of 31 players registered for this thrilling high-stakes tournament, with some players opting for reentries, leading to a total of 38 entries as late registration remains open until Day 2 begins. While the action may have lasted only four hours, it was packed with intensity and strategic play.
Leading the Pack
By the end of the first day, it was Albert Daher who stood out, bagging an impressive 885,000 chips and securing the chip lead among the remaining 25 players. Daher is no stranger to the EPT High Roller series, having achieved substantial victories over the years. His most recent triumph came during last year’s tournament in Cyprus, where he outplayed a 29-entry field to claim a significant first-place prize of $264,690. Hot on his heels was Elias Gutierrez, a recognized player from PokerStars Team Pro, who amassed 808,000 chips after winning the $25,000 SHR Warm-Up just days before. Third place was secured by Hassan Nashar with 805,000 chips after facing multiple reentries before finally finding his rhythm.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Name | Country | Chips | Day 2 Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albert Daher | Lebanon | 885,000 | 148 |
| 2 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | 808,000 | 135 |
| 3 | Hassan Nashar | Senegal | 805,000 | 134 |
| 4 | Johannes Straver | Netherlands | 624,000 | 104 |
| 5 | Teun Mulder | Netherlands | 616,000 | 103 |
| 6 | Vladimir Korzinin | Estonia | 587,000 | 98 |
| 7 | Kayhan Mokri | Norway | 541,000 | 90 |
| 8 | Danilo Velasevic | Croatia | 500,000 | 83 |
| 9 | Aleksejs Ponakovs | Latvia | 454,000 | 76 |
| 10 | Vicente Delgado | Spain | 430,000 | 72 |
The Action of the Day
The day began with fervor as Masashi Oya quickly garnered attention by utilizing a clever slow play that saw him take advantage of pocket aces against Juan Pardo‘s ace-king on a king-high board. Largely keeping his profile low thereafter, Oya ended with an admirable stack of 356,000 chips.
Another early highlight was Jelle Moene taking a substantial lead following a significant cooler against Jérémie Zouari in a dramatic straight-versus-straight showdown. Moene capitalized on this situation until the first break, when he was comfortably seated at the top of the leaderboard.
However, when Hassan Nashar entered the table post-break, the dynamics shifted. Nashar played aggressively, often opting for large bet sizings that saw him dominate many hands without hesitation. In a moment of pure bravado, he even played a hand without glancing at his hole cards, showcasing the wild flair that keeps audiences engaged in high-stakes poker.
Elias Gutierrez managed to maneuver around Nashar’s unpredictable style, initially doubling through him and later eliminating him, only to see Nashar reenter with renewed vigor. A critical point in the day came when Nashar flipped the tables on Moene, winning a pivotal hand with pocket tens, further solidifying his presence.
As the day progressed, Albert Daher seized momentum, notably after scoring a significant pot against Simone Andrian, hitting a five on the river with ace-five against Andrian’s ace-king. This pivotal hand launched Daher into the stratosphere of chip counts as he continued to capitalize on favorable situations thereafter.
Closing Thoughts and What’s Next
With a myriad of talented players returning for Day 2, including notable names like Duco ten Haven, Steve O’Dwyer, and Recep Aydemir, excitement mounts as the tournament is set to resume on Thursday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m. local time. Players will plunge back into action, starting at Level 9, where blinds are set at 3,000/6,000 with a 6,000 big-blind ante.
As anticipation builds, it is clear that more last-minute entries are expected, guaranteeing another day filled with high-stakes battles, strategic plays, and the electrifying atmosphere that only the European Poker Tour can provide. Be sure to follow along with PokerNews for real-time updates and all the thrilling developments as contenders vie for the coveted title of the high roller champion.
