Exciting Day 1 of the PokerStars European Poker Tour $3,000 Mystery Bounty
The resounding clatter of poker chips echoed through the lavish surroundings of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa as Day 1 of the highly anticipated PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) $3,000 Mystery Bounty unfolded. The event kicked off with an impressive 779 entries, showcasing the intense allure and competitive spirit that surrounds high-stakes poker. With each hand dealt, fortunes shifted, and the excitement in the air was palpable as players vied for their share of the expected €3 million prize pool.
Day 1 Overview
As the dust settled after a grueling 14 levels of play, the field had been narrowed down to an elite group of 184 players. Leading the charge was Uladzimir Zhyharau, who finished the day with an impressive chipcount of 368,000. This Belarusian player is no stranger to the felt, having previously amassed over $262,973 in live tournament earnings. Zhyharau is eager to add to his tally after finishing 252nd in the recent $1,100 Eureka Main Event.
Hot on his heels is Ray Qartomy from the United States, who has built a formidable stack of 360,000. With over $5.2 million in live tournament earnings, Qartomy is on a quest to secure his first EPT title and take home some notable bounties. Holding down the third position is Karen Nazarian, also a recent cash player from the Eureka Main Event, who finished Day 1 with a stack of 349,500. Nazarian recently made headlines for his significant scores throughout this series, including a $25,400 win from the $10,300 EPT High Roller.
Top 10 Chip Counts
| Name | Country | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| Uladzimir Zhyharau | Belarus | 368,000 |
| Ray Qartomy | United States | 360,000 |
| Karen Nazarian | Russia | 349,500 |
| Lukas Zaskodny | Czech Republic | 321,500 |
| Morten Klein | Norway | 320,500 |
| Stoyan Obreshkov | Bulgaria | 309,500 |
| Nenad Dukic | Croatia | 303,000 |
| Georges Sultanem | Lebanon | 296,000 |
| Matthias Lipp | Austria | 290,000 |
| Aleksandr Kirichenko | Russia | 285,000 |
Highlights of Day 1 Action
The excitement of Day 1 was marked not just by chip counts, but by a series of riveting plays that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
One noteworthy moment involved Morten Klein, who made a significant leap up the chip counts after cultivating a full house against Moussa Thibaut’s busted flush draw. Klein saw his stack swell to a notable 300,000, aligning him solidly in the fifth position.
Georgy Komarov experienced a rollercoaster ride with a pocket pair of kings, successfully navigating a cooler situation against Aliaksandr Yarosh’s equivalent hand. Komarov ended the day with 256,000, while Yarosh recovered with a respectable 228,500.
Meanwhile, Konstantin Voronin demonstrated consistent growth throughout the day, making savvy plays to accumulate 240,000 chips, emphasizing his potential for a big run in the tournament.
Notable Eliminations and Possibilities
While Day 1 featured many thrilling moments, it was not without casualties. Some notable poker luminaries, including PokerStars Ambassadors Fintan Hand and Ramon Colillas, saw their journeys end prematurely. French professional Thomas Eychenne and online sensation Felipe Ketzer also fell short, emphasizing the competitive nature of the event and the potential for registration to remain open until the beginning of Day 2. Previous Eureka Main Event champion Leo Worthington-Leese will have to act swiftly to secure his spot after his Day 1 attempts were unsuccessful.
What’s Next?
As the tournament progresses, players will resume on Day 2, starting at Level 15 with blinds at 1,500/3,000 and a 3,000 big blind ante. This next stage promises thrilling action, as the mystery bounty tokens will also be in play from the outset. With big stacks chasing down shorter stacks, the poker landscape is set for electrifying confrontations and tactical maneuvers.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for comprehensive coverage, insightful analyses, and updates on the thrilling bounty pulls during this exciting series in Northern Cyprus. The stakes are high, and as the tension mounts, the poker community watches eagerly, anticipating who will walk away champion.
