Thrilling Action at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus: Day 2 Recap
As the sun dipped below the horizon, marking the end of an exhilarating second day at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus, players packed their bags filled with chips, and the competition only gets fiercer from here. Inside the opulent Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, the $5,300 EPT Main Event saw some exciting gameplay as participants battled for dominance, resulting in a packed field of 144 players surviving until the end of the day.
Dominant Performers and Leading Chip Counts
At the close of Day 2, Fahredin Mustafov of Bulgaria emerged as the chip leader with a staggering stack of 920,000 chips, just one big blind clear of Russia’s Ivan Zabiiakin, who finished with 915,000. In third place was Germany’s Oliver Weis, boasting 715,000 chips. The competition was fierce, but these players displayed incredible skill, managing to outmaneuver their opponents to solidify their standings for Day 3.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 920,000 | 184 |
| 2 | Ivan Zabiiakin | Russia | 915,000 | 183 |
| 3 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 715,000 | 143 |
| 4 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 705,000 | 141 |
| 5 | Shankui Li | China | 693,000 | 139 |
| 6 | Chakib Mhiri | Tunisia | 648,000 | 130 |
| 7 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 620,000 | 124 |
| 8 | Radoslav Stoyanov | Bulgaria | 575,000 | 115 |
| 9 | Boris Kuzmanovic | Croatia | 573,000 | 115 |
| 10 | Mohamad El Rais | Switzerland | 563,000 | 113 |
Day 2 Action Unfolds
The day commenced at noon, with an opportunity for late registration. A total of 55 players jumped into the fray before the deadline, bringing the overall entries to 1,284. A phenomenal prize pool of $6,227,400 was formed, with a glorious first place prize of $1,030,000, ensuring that the stakes have never been higher. The bottom line was set at $8,400 for a min-cash.
As the day progressed, players like EPT Barcelona Main Event champion Stephen Song, Ren Lin, and past EPT Malta winner Aliaksei Boika were among the top hopefuls, showcasing a mix of prowess and strategy that had fans on the edge of their seats.
High-Profile Exits
The action was rife with eliminations as well. Early on, notable poker stars including Barny Boatman, Dimitar Danchev, and Sam Grafton fell victim to the ruthless competition. The atmosphere intensified as the day unfolded, with the unfortunate Samuel Fournier becoming the bubble boy, leaving the tournament with empty pockets after an all-in situation against Mihai Niste that resulted in a flush completing river.
Climbing the Leaderboard
The stakes surged as Mustafov began to amass his stack, notably winning a colossal pot worth nearly 800,000 chips with a well-timed full house against Ali Al-Kubasi. This impressive maneuver not only secured his position as the day’s chip leader but also highlighted his intent on aiming for an EPT hat-trick, having previously clinched two titles in Prague.
As the day came to a close, former champions Hossein Ensan and Stephen Song joined the ranks of eliminated players while making way for others to thrive. Standout performers like Lucien Cohen banking quads and Georgios Tsouloftas finishing strong left many a player vying for a chance in the spotlight.
Remaining Payouts Post-Day 2
The anticipation for Day 3 grows as the remaining participants gear up for redemption in their quest for a share of the following payout structure:
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,030,000 |
| 2 | $642,300 |
| 3 | $459,000 |
| 4 | $353,100 |
| 5 | $271,400 |
| 6 | $208,720 |
| 7 | $160,500 |
| 8 | $123,400 |
| 9 | $94,940 |
| 10-11 | $73,100 |
| 12-13 | $60,900 |
| 14-15 | $50,760 |
| 16-17 | $42,280 |
| 18-20 | $36,740 |
| 21-23 | $31,940 |
| 24-27 | $27,780 |
Looking Forward
Day 3 of the EPT Main Event is set to kick-off at 12 p.m. on October 17, with blinds escalating to 2,500/5,000 and a 5,000 big blind ante. The average stack rests at approximately 267,500, or 53 big blinds, setting the stage for dramatic plays and nail-biting moments.
Keep an eye on PokerNews for ongoing updates as the tournament progresses, with the excitement promising to escalate as competitors make strategic moves in their pursuit of victory and a lucrative payday. With names like Mustafov and Zabiiakin at the forefront, the best is yet to come.
