European Poker Tour Hits Cyprus: Day 3 Highlights from the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa
The luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, nestled along the stunning Mediterranean coast, has transformed into a buzzing hub of excitement as the finest poker players from around the globe gather for the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event. As the chips continue to fly and fortunes are made, players are vying for the coveted title of EPT champion. As of the end of Day 3, only 45 competitors remain in the hunt for glory, each step bringing them closer to the ultimate prize.
The Rise of Bobby James
At the forefront of this high-stakes contest is Bobby James, who not only leads the chip count with an impressive 2,605,000 but has also showcased a remarkable skill in navigating the tournament’s treacherous waters. His ascent to the top was marked by two significant hands that demonstrated both luck and strategy. In one pivotal moment, James rivered the nut flush, winning a massive pot against Akin Tuna, who had flopped a straight along with a king-high flush. This hand doubled James’s stack to 1,600,000.
James didn’t stop there; he continued his winning streak by holding pocket aces against Maksim Rogov’s pocket kings, pushing his stack past the 2,000,000 mark. His consistent performance places him firmly at the head of the pack as the competition heats up further into the tournament.
Close Competition from Zhugralin and Joyce
Trailing James is Damir Zhugralin, who boasts 2,410,000 chips after a decisive moment with Fahredin Mustafov that saw him call with a set of sevens, overcoming Mustafov’s desperate bluff. Following closely behind is Philip Joyce, who has emerged as a formidable contender with 2,175,000. Joyce’s journey to the upper echelons was marked by a strategic decision to snap-call Natan Chauskin’s river shove, resulting in a robust full house.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 2,605,000 | 174 |
| 2 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 2,410,000 | 161 |
| 3 | Philip Joyce | United Kingdom | 2,175,000 | 145 |
| 4 | Daniel Jackson | United Kingdom | 1,560,000 | 104 |
| 5 | Lander Lijo | Spain | 1,490,000 | 99 |
| 6 | Roeland Peeks | Netherlands | 1,350,000 | 90 |
| 7 | Adrien Quetelart | France | 1,275,000 | 85 |
| 8 | Artsiom Lasouski | Belarus | 1,240,000 | 83 |
| 9 | Christopher Nguyen | Austria | 1,200,000 | 80 |
| 10 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 1,195,000 | 80 |
Veteran Players Eyes for Back-to-Back Success
Among the 45 surviving players, two notable figures from last year’s EPT Cyprus Main Event are Halil Tasyurek and Andrea Dato, both hoping to replicate their previous success. Tasyurek finished fourth last year and has a healthy stack of 965,000, while Dato, who was the runner-up, currently holds 780,000. Their journey through this tournament could mark them as the first back-to-back finalists in the same EPT event.
The Lone EPT Champion: Anton Wigg
Anton Wigg, the lone remaining EPT champion, is also in the mix, positioned in tenth place with 1,195,000. As the 2010 EPT Copenhagen champion, Wigg has the opportunity to join the exclusive club of two-time winners. His experience and skill set could play a crucial role as the competition intensifies on Day 4.
Notable Eliminations
The competition is fierce, and unfortunately, many skilled players have already met their demise by Day 3’s end. Adrian Mateos, a seasoned poker veteran, was eliminated in 124th place due to a brutal cooler against Jackson, while Benjamin Spragg, representing Team PokerStars, fell in 115th when his top pair was countered by Chakib Mhiri’s two pairs on the river.
Other notable bustouts include prominent names such as Sebastian Malec, Nicolas Chouity, and former finalists who had hoped for a deeper run but faced unfavorable circumstances as the blinds escalated and tension mounted.
The Road Ahead: Payouts and Future Prospects
The remaining players are now guaranteed a minimum payout of $18,240 from the impressive $6,227,400 prize pool. As the stakes rise, a spot at the final table will provide at least $123,400, while the eventual champion stands to collect a substantial $1,030,000 along with the much-coveted EPT trophy.
As the action resumes on Day 4, the players will tackle Level 21, with blinds of 10,000/15,000 and a 15,000 big blind ante. With the average stack hovering around 60 big blinds, the journey toward the final table promises to be an intense and strategic endeavor.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates as the competition narrows, anticipation builds, and players vie for poker glory at this prestigious event. The Mediterranean coast may be serene, but the atmosphere inside the Merit Royal Diamond is anything but calm as the drama unfolds.
