EPT Cyprus Main Event: Day 3 Highlights and Top Contenders
This week, the dazzling Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa on the stunning Mediterranean coast played host to the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event. Players from all walks of life converged in hopes of claiming the coveted title, but as Day 3 wrapped up, only 45 players remained, each eyeing the ultimate prize of becoming the next EPT champion.
The Leaders of the Pack
Emerging at the top of the leaderboard is British poker pro Bobby James, who turned heads with his incredible play that saw him amass an impressive chip stack of 2,605,000. His ascent to the top was punctuated by two significant hands that showcased both his skill and a touch of luck. In one pivotal moment, James rivered the nut flush, besting Akin Tuna’s flopped straight and king-high flush to double up to 1,600,000. He later furthered his ascent by eliminating Maksim Rogov, who held pocket kings, with his own pocket aces, sending him well over the two million mark.
Right on James’s heels was Damir Zhugralin, who ended the night with 2,410,000 in chips. Zhugralin faced a critical moment against Fahredin Mustafov, where he made a courageous call with a set of sevens, defeating Mustafov’s ambitious bluff to secure his position near the top.
The day also featured a remarkable performance from Philip Joyce, who managed to cross the two million threshold as well, ending with 2,175,000. Joyce’s ascent began when he made a decisive snap-call against Natan Chauskin on the river with a full house. To cap off the night, he successfully bluffed Taago Tamm in a thrilling final hand, securing his chips heading into Day 4.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts:
- Bobby James (United Kingdom) – 2,605,000 chips (174 big blinds)
- Damir Zhugralin (Kazakhstan) – 2,410,000 chips (161 big blinds)
- Philip Joyce (United Kingdom) – 2,175,000 chips (145 big blinds)
- Daniel Jackson (United Kingdom) – 1,560,000 chips (104 big blinds)
- Lander Lijo (Spain) – 1,490,000 chips (99 big blinds)
- Roeland Peeks (Netherlands) – 1,350,000 chips (90 big blinds)
- Adrien Quetelart (France) – 1,275,000 chips (85 big blinds)
- Artsiom Lasouski (Belarus) – 1,240,000 chips (83 big blinds)
- Christopher Nguyen (Austria) – 1,200,000 chips (80 big blinds)
- Anton Wigg (Sweden) – 1,195,000 chips (80 big blinds)
Notable Players Still in the Hunt
Amid the remaining players, two familiar faces are on a mission to replicate last year’s success. Halil Tasyurek and Andrea Dato are both seeking to return to the final table after finishing fourth and second, respectively, in the previous EPT Cyprus Main Event. Tasyurek is currently sitting with 965,000 chips while Dato follows closely with 780,000.
The lone EPT champion still in contention, Anton Wigg, hopes to make history by becoming a two-time winner. The 2010 EPT Copenhagen champion finds himself in tenth place with 1,195,000 chips, a sturdy position that keeps him in the race for the title.
High Profile Bustouts
The drama of poker is often underscored by the unfortunate eliminations of well-known players. Day 3 kicked off with 144 players remaining from an impressive 1,284 entries, but many notable figures saw their dreams dashed. Among the early bustouts was Adrian Mateos, who finished in 124th place, falling victim to a cooler against Daniel Jackson. Team PokerStars Pro Benjamin Spragg also exited in 115th place after being outdrawn by Chakib Mhiri.
Several other EPT champions were also eliminated, including Sebastian Malec (50th), Lucien Cohen (49th), and Nicolas Chouity (48th), further emphasizing the high stakes and fierce competition present at this year’s event.
Payouts and Future Outlook
As the tournament progresses, the stakes are high with $6,227,400 in total prize money. The remaining 45 players are guaranteed to take home $18,240, while the coveted EPT trophy and the top prize of $1,030,000 await the champion.
Tomorrow promises to bring even more excitement as play resumes at noon local time at Level 21 with blinds set at 10,000/15,000 and a 15,000 big blind ante. With the average chip stack at nearly 60 big blinds, we can expect a gripping fight as these skilled players navigate their way toward the final table.
Stay tuned as PokerNews will bring you live updates and coverage throughout Day 4, capturing every thrilling moment on this road to coronation in the beautiful setting of Cyprus.
