Exciting Action on Day 1 of the PokerStars European Poker Tour $3,000 Mystery Bounty
The vibrant atmosphere of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Northern Cyprus set the stage for the much-anticipated PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) $3,000 Mystery Bounty event. Day 1 attracted a staggering 779 entries, but as the dust settled after 14 intense levels of play, the field was narrowed down to just 184 players vying for the coveted title and a share of the substantial prize pool.
Chip Leader Emerges: Uladzimir Zhyharau
Leading the charge into Day 2 is Uladzimir Zhyharau from Belarus, who bagged an impressive stack of 368,000 chips. This marks a promising start for Zhyharau, who aims to add another cash finish to his impressive tournament resume, which to date boasts $262,973 in live earnings. Just recently, he finished 252nd in the $1,100 Eureka Main Event, and he is clearly looking to bounce back in a significant way during this event.
Close Contenders: Ray Qartomy and Karen Nazarian
Not far behind Zhyharau is Ray Qartomy, who stacked 360,000 chips after a day filled with calculated risks and strategic plays. With an impressive $5,258,766 in live tournament earnings, Qartomy is hunting for his first EPT title and looking to snag some of the enticing mystery bounties up for grabs.
Completing the top three is Karen Nazarian from Russia, who built a respectable stack of 349,500 chips. Like Zhyharau, Nazarian’s recent performances have been commendable, having cashed $2,900 in the Eureka Main Event and $7,600 from a 55th place finish in the $2,200 Eureka High Roller. His return to the EPT series has been marked by consistent success, including a notable cash of $25,400 during the $10,300 EPT High Roller earlier this year.
Top 10 Chip Counts at a Glance
As the players prepare for Day 2, here’s a snapshot of the current top 10 chip leaders:
| Name | Country | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| Uladzimir Zhyharau | Belarus | 368,000 |
| Ray Qartomy | United States | 360,000 |
| Karen Nazarian | Russia | 349,500 |
| Lukas Zaskodny | Czech Republic | 321,500 |
| Morten Klein | Norway | 320,500 |
| Stoyan Obreshkov | Bulgaria | 309,500 |
| Nenad Dukic | Croatia | 303,000 |
| Georges Sultanem | Lebanon | 296,000 |
| Matthias Lipp | Austria | 290,000 |
| Aleksandr Kirichenko | Russia | 285,000 |
Highlights from Day 1 Action
The high stakes and suspenseful moments defined Day 1 of the Mystery Bounty event. Notable plays unfolded, such as Morten Klein making a significant rise towards the end of the day after securing a large pot against Moussa Thibaut. Klein’s full house against Thibaut’s busted flush draw propelled him to a stack of around 300,000, putting him in fifth place overall.
In another thrilling hand, Georgy Komarov was the beneficiary of a major cooler when his kings cracked the pocket kings of Aliaksandr Yarosh. Komarov will return for Day 2 with 256,000 chips, while Yarosh settled for a stack of 228,500, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of tournament poker where fortunes can change in a matter of moments.
Meanwhile, Konstantin Voronin played a steady game, consistently accumulating chips and making solid calls, culminating in his winning flip against Alessio Isaia with Big Slick. Voronin will begin Day 2 with 240,000 chips.
Notable Names and Future Prospects
While many exciting hands took place, several prominent professionals found themselves heading for the exit. Noteworthy figures such as Fintan Hand and Ramon Colillas among others faced early exits, and some will be looking to re-enter as registration remains open until the start of Day 2.
As Day 2 approaches, the excitement builds with play resuming at Level 15. The blinds will be set at 1,500/3,000 with a 3,000 big blind ante, and the mystery bounty tokens will be in play from the get-go. This means that players will have the chance to claim substantial bounties early on, setting the stage for thrilling action as players with big stacks seek to hunt down the shorter stacks.
Conclusion
With many players still in contention and a lot at stake, Day 2 promises to deliver even more thrilling poker action. For updates, results, and coverage, stay tuned to PokerNews as the mystery bounty unfolds in stunning Northern Cyprus.
