EPT Cyprus Main Event: Thrilling Developments as Day 3 Comes to a Close
The poker world has gathered at the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa on the Mediterranean coast, already buzzing with excitement as players vie for the title of European Poker Tour (EPT) champion. As Day 3 of the highly anticipated EPT Cyprus Main Event wraps up, we find just 45 contenders remaining with their eyes set on the ultimate prize.
The Leaderboard: Bobby James in Command
Emerging as a formidable force, Bobby James leads the pack with an impressive stack of 2,605,000 chips. James’s journey to the top has been anything but uneventful; he navigated his way through two major confrontations that significantly bolstered his chip count. In a dramatic hand, James hit the river to complete a nut flush, overcoming Akin Tuna’s flopped straight and king-high flush, resulting in a monumental double-up to 1,600,000. Shortly after, he secured another massive pot by besting Maksim Rogov’s kings with pocket aces, solidifying his position atop the leaderboard.
Close behind him is Damir Zhugralin, who ended the day with a solid 2,410,000 chips. Zhugralin faced a pivotal moment for his tournament life when he called Fahredin Mustafov’s bluff with a set of sevens. The move paid off, positioning him firmly in second place. Rounding out the top three is Philip Joyce, who bagged 2,175,000 after executing a daring call against Natan Chauskin’s shove with a full house, followed by another successful bluff call against Taago Tamm.
Top Ten Chip Counts at the End of Day 3:
| 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 |
Returning Players with a Chance at Redemption
Two notable players, Andrea Dato and Halil Tasyurek, are looking to replicate last year’s success at the same event. Dato, the runner-up in the inaugural EPT Cyprus Main Event, is currently holding 780,000 chips, while Tasyurek, who finished fourth last year, has 965,000 chips. Their continued presence in the tournament brings an air of excitement as they aim to join the elite club of consecutive EPT final-table appearances.
The Lone Champion Keeping Hopes Alive
Among the remaining contenders, Anton Wigg, the champion of the 2010 EPT Copenhagen, sits in tenth place with 1,195,000 chips. He is the last remaining EPT champion still chasing the elusive title of a two-time winner, intensifying the competition as the tournament progresses.
Bust-Outs and Unfortunate Exits
Day 3 began with a field of 144 players from an impressive 1,284 entries, but as the chips fell, numerous well-known players were eliminated. Adrian Mateos faced a brutal exit in 124th place, losing to Daniel Jackson in a straight-over-straight cooler. Team PokerStars Pro Benjamin Spragg and several other EPT champions, such as Sebastian Malec and Lucien Cohen, also found themselves heading to the payout desk earlier than anticipated. Their departures emphasize the unpredictable nature of tournament poker and the fierce competition at this level.
Prize Pool and What’s Next
As the dust settles, the remaining 45 players have secured a minimum payout of $18,240, but the stakes rise considerably as they inch closer to the final table. The ultimate champion will take home a staggering $1,030,000 along with the prestigious EPT trophy, cementing their legacy in poker history.
The action resumes tomorrow at noon local time, with the players entering Level 21 and blinds set at 10,000/15,000 with a 15,000 big blind ante. With an average stack still representing nearly 60 big blinds, the journey to the final table promises to be both long and thrilling, as players must navigate the escalating pressure and challenge one another for the coveted title.
As the tournament unfolds, PokerNews will return to provide live updates and coverage, tracking every key hand and move as we head towards the dramatic conclusion of the EPT Cyprus Main Event. Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying continuation of this prestigious event with excitement around every corner!
