Thrilling Action at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus: Day 2 Recap
As the sun dipped below the horizon on what was yet another exhilarating day at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus, anticipation filled the air as players gathered inside the opulent Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa for Day 2 of the prestigious $5,300 EPT Main Event. Over the course of the day, 144 players emerged from a larger field, leaving behind the excitement of eliminations, strategic plays, and thrilling pots.
Standout Performers
When the chips were finally bagged and tagged at the end of the day, it was Fahredin Mustafov from Bulgaria who dominated the chip counts, emerging as the leader with an impressive stack of 920,000 chips. Hot on his heels was Russia’s Ivan Zabiiakin, with a near-identical stack of 915,000. Among the top three chip leaders, Germany’s Oliver Weis secured a comfortable position with 715,000 chips.
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: An Overview
The excitement kicked off at noon, with Day 2 starting under the prospect of even more participants. The registration window was open until the commencement of play, during which 55 players decided to enter the fray before the clock struck noon, pushing the total entries for the event to an impressive 1,284.
A whopping $6,227,400 prize pool was tantalizingly formed, with the eventual champion set to pocket a life-changing sum of $1,030,000. The allure of the game was evident, with a minimum cash prize of $8,400 awaiting those who made it into the money.
Among the 449 hopefuls who began the day were some towering figures in the poker world. Notable names included Stephen Song, the previous EPT Barcelona Main Event champion, Ren Lin, Aliaksei Boika, and well-respected player Niklas Astedt.
Notable Eliminations and Dramatic Turns
The pace of the day was electrifying as players navigated through the intricate strategies of tournament poker. However, not everyone survived the session. Early in the day, Barny Boatman found himself out of the running, followed quickly by Dimitar Danchev, Marle Spragg, Ognyan Dimov, and Kenny Hallaert, among others.
In a twist of fate, Samuel Fournier became the bubble boy of the tournament, eliminated in a heart-wrenching fashion. Facing a crucial coin flip, his pocket queens went up against Mihai Niste‘s ace-king. After holding firm with the flop, it seemed like victory was in sight for Fournier, but a turn and river that saw Niste complete a flush sent him packing and ensured the remaining 191 players would receive a payout.
Adding to the day’s riveting energy, Mustafov made waves by winning a colossal pot of nearly 800,000 chips against Ali Al-Kubasi with a full house, bolstering his already commanding lead.
Looking Ahead: Day 3
As the curtains fell on Day 2, several other players showcased their prowess including previous EPT Deauville Main Event champion Lucien Cohen, who bagged 394,000 chips, positioning himself as a strong contender for the ongoing tournament.
With Day 3 set to commence at 12 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, the stakes have never been higher. Blinds will open at Level 16, at 2,500/5,000 with a 5,000 big blind ante, leaving the average stack at about 267,500 chips, or around 53 big blinds.
Players, fans, and poker enthusiasts alike can look forward to continued high-stakes excitement and strategic play as the competition narrows and the pressure mounts. Be sure to tune into PokerNews tomorrow for the latest updates as we follow the action on Day 3 of the Main Event!
Conclusion
With jaw-dropping plays and heart-wrenching eliminations, Day 2 of the 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event was a testament to the skill, strategy, and the sheer thrill that poker has to offer. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the top contenders—particularly Mustafov—as he chases history and a potential third title. The vibrant energy, dramatic turns, and relentless pursuit of the prize make this EPT a must-follow event this season!
