A Thrilling Day 1 at the $25,000 Second Chance Event
The poker scene in Cyprus was ablaze on Day 1 of the $25,000 Second Chance event, the concluding high-stakes showdown of the 2024 European Poker Tour. Hosted at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, this event drew a competitive field of 31 players eager to claim their share of the substantial prize pool. Though the initial action only lasted four hours, the drama unfolded quickly, with many players firing multiple bullets before the day wrapped up.
As the dust settled, the total number of entries climbed to 38, thanks largely to the late registration still open until the start of Day 2. With each late entry, the tension and stakes grew, setting the stage for an exhilarating continuation of the competition.
Chip Leaders Impressive Start
By the end of Day 1, Lebanese player Albert Daher had asserted himself as the chip leader with a staggering stack of 885,000 chips. Daher, a seasoned competitor in EPT High Roller events, had once again proven his mettle, notably taking down multiple high roller titles in his illustrious career. Just days prior, he had showcased his skill by winning against Mikita Badziakouski in a high-profile tournament in Cyprus.
Trailing close behind Daher was Elias Gutierrez, a member of the esteemed PokerStars Team Pro. Recently crowned as the winner of the $25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up, Gutierrez has continued to ride a wave of momentum, finishing the day with 808,000 chips. Rounding out the top three was Hassan Nashar from Senegal, who managed to accumulate 805,000 chips after testing the waters with three initial bullets—all part of his aggressive quest for victory.
Top Ten Chip Counts
As the players settled in for Day 2, here’s how the top contenders stacked up:
| 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 |
Highlights of the Day’s Action
The day exploded into action as players jostled for position. Notably, Masashi Oya surged to an early lead by executing a clever play, slowplaying aces against Juan Pardo, who was left nursing a hurt pride after losing with ace-king on a unfavorable board. Although Oya retreated from high-stakes actions for the rest of the night, he ended with a respectable stack of 356,000.
Unexpected twists kept spectators on the edge of their seats, especially when Jelle Moene claimed the lead after a brutal cooler—a straight versus straight confrontation with Jérémie Zouari. However, Moene’s reign would be short-lived, as Nashar’s dynamic playing style earned him back-to-back wins and a rapid ascent up the leaderboard.
While Nashar’s aggressive tactics did create opportunities for others, including Gutierrez, his re-entries showed a tenacity that was commendable. His ability to recover from eliminations only fueled more excitement among the players and observers alike.
As Daher began to shift gears and build a commanding stack, he did so in dramatic fashion, notably hitting on the river with ace-five versus Simone Andrian’s ace-king in a pivotal hand that would propel him toward the top.
What Lies Ahead: Day 2
Looking ahead, Day 2 promises a fresh wave of excitement starting at 12:30 p.m. local time. As the competition resumes from Level 9 with blinds at 3,000/6,000 and a 6,000 big-blind ante, players will face intense pressure as they vie for the title.
With a healthy collection of solid players ready to make their mark, including Duco ten Haven, Leonard Maue, Steve O’Dwyer, and Recep Aydemir, expectations run high for a day filled with brilliant poker strategy and fierce competition.
As more last-minute entries are anticipated, each moment will bring potential shifts in dynamics and chip counts. Stay tuned with PokerNews for live updates and insights as we inch closer to crowning another high roller champion in beautiful Cyprus!
