Diogo Coelho Triumphs in the $2,200 Eureka High Roller at EPT Cyprus

After an extensive 16-hour Day 2, the prestigious setting of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa was once again alive with excitement as four talented players returned for an unscheduled third day of the $2,200 Eureka High Roller at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus. With a remarkable prize pool of $2,610,600 still at stake, all eyes were on the final showdown that would soon unfold.

Crowning the Champion

In less than two hours, Diogo Coelho from Portugal emerged victorious, outlasting a formidable field of 1,374 entries. His path to the title was marked not only by skill but also by tenacity. Coelho faced off against Italy’s Michele Guerrini heads up following a strategic deal that allowed both players to secure substantial payouts. Coelho walked away with a hefty prize of $357,048, while Guerrini secured $328,592 as his consolation reward.

The day began with Ibrahim Ghassan from Lebanon as the first casualty of the final round. Despite being short-stacked throughout the day, Ghassan fought valiantly but ultimately fell in fourth place. The start-of-day chip leader, Mukhtor Nasiradinov, was left with a third-place finish, having to settle for the bronze medal position.

The Final Table Results

Here’s how the final placements were determined:

*Denotes heads-up deal

Winner’s Triumph

This victory marked Coelho’s second trophy at an EPT event, having previously secured his first live win at the $10,300 High Roller during EPT Paris. Reflecting on his monumental win, Coelho expressed his disbelief and excitement, stating, "It feels amazing. I never expect to win a trophy like this." However, his road to victory was not without its challenges. At one point during Day 2, he found himself with less than two big blinds after a miscalculation led to value-betting his two pair against an opponent’s trips. “It’s a situation where we lost a little bit of hope,” he admitted, underscoring the severe downturn in momentum.

Despite the setback, Coelho’s resilience shone through, and he clawed his way back into contention, ultimately claiming the coveted trophy.

Day 3 Action

As Day 3 commenced, Ghassan began as the short stack. Just minutes in, he made a bold move with a dominated hand, leading to an early exit that set the tone for the rest of the day. Coelho briefly found himself as the shortest stack but quickly doubled through Guerrini to regain footing.

Nasiradinov, once the day’s chip leader, struggled as the minutes passed and succumbed to Guerrini in a decisive flip for the third place. Going into heads-up, Guerrini had a substantial edge over Coelho. However, the tides began to turn as Coelho won a series of small pots that allowed him to take the lead in chip count.

The two competitors eventually paused for a discussion and struck an advantageous deal. They agreed to split the prize pool based on their current chip counts while leaving $20,000 and the trophy to compete for during heads-up play.

The Final Hand

The climax of the tournament came when Coelho shoved all-in, prompting Guerrini to call with an inferior hand. Coelho’s ace-seven prevailed over Guerrini’s king-eight, with an ace landing on the flop to solidify his championship status. As the dust settled, Guerrini was left as the runner-up, while Coelho celebrated a well-earned victory along with a hefty payout, signaling his intent to reinvest some of his winnings into the upcoming Main Event.

Conclusion

Diogo Coelho’s victory at the $2,200 Eureka High Roller has not only added another prestigious title to his resume but has also set the stage for exciting possibilities in the remaining events of EPT Cyprus. As Coelho prepares to take on the Main Event, the poker community eagerly awaits to see if he can build on this monumental success.

Stay tuned with us at PokerNews for continuous coverage of all the thrilling EPT tournaments unfolding in Cyprus and beyond!