Action-Packed Day 2 of the $3,000 Mystery Bounty at the PokerStars EPT Cyprus
The excitement at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa intensified as Day 2 of the highly anticipated $3,000 Mystery Bounty unfolded, part of the renowned 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus. With a starting field of 305 players, the pressure mounted throughout the day as the competition tightened, culminating in the elimination of players and the eventual narrowing of the field to just 15 contestants.
The Bubble Bursting
One of the most nail-biting moments of the day came as the tournament neared the money bubble. Within the chaotic edges of the gameplay, two notable players, Lukas Zaskodny and Fabian Schmidt, found themselves to be the unfortunate casualties. As both players exited the tournament without making any significant cash, they split a min-cash, marking them as the last players to leave empty-handed. With 128 players ultimately making the money, the tension soon gave way to jubilation for those moving on.
Uladzimir Zhyharau Takes Command
Ending Day 2 in commanding fashion, Uladzimir Zhyharau of Belarus emerged as the chip leader, carrying a staggering stack of 4,920,000 chips. Zhyharau’s journey to the top began early in the day, where he demonstrated exceptional skill by doubling his stack with pocket tens. This stack boost allowed him to dominate the tables, and his impressive play continued on as he secured a significant pot against Aren Bezhanyen with pocket eights.
Though not without minor setbacks, Zhyharau’s performance was nearly flawless, positioning him favorably for a deep run. His current standing bodes well for a potential milestone—his biggest-ever cash in live tournament poker.
Close Rivals
Following closely behind Zhyharau was Ryhor Karapanau, who wrapped up the day in second place with a formidable stack of 3,225,000 chips. Karapanau was determined in his pursuit, eliminating numerous players, including Konstantin Voronin in 23rd place and Henok Tekle in 21st, which propelled him further toward the top.
In the third slot, Nicolae Paunescu secured a solid position with 3,020,000 chips. Meanwhile, Marius Kudzmanas and the renowned Matthias Lipp rounded out the top five, showcasing an impressive chase for the much-coveted title.
End of Day 2 Chip Counts
| Position | Player | Country | Chips | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uladzimir Zhyharau | Belarus | 4,920,000 | 98 |
| 2 | Ryhor Karapanau | Latvia | 3,225,000 | 65 |
| 3 | Nicolae Paunescu | Romania | 3,020,000 | 60 |
| 4 | Marius Kudzmanas | Lithuania | 2,735,000 | 55 |
| 5 | Matthias Lipp | Austria | 2,325,000 | 47 |
| 6 | Valeriu Rosca | Romania | 1,340,000 | 27 |
| 7 | Stoyan Obreshkov | Bulgaria | 1,295,000 | 26 |
| 8 | Karen Nazarian | Russia | 1,300,000 | 26 |
| 9 | Guo Liang Wei | Hong Kong | 1,155,000 | 23 |
| 10 | Hadi Khordbin | Iran | 1,050,000 | 21 |
| 11 | Aziz Efe | Turkey | 1,005,000 | 20 |
| 12 | Boris Kolev | Bulgaria | 1,000,000 | 20 |
| 13 | Morten Klein | Norway | 965,000 | 19 |
| 14 | Anze Smajd | Slovenia | 905,000 | 18 |
| 15 | Maroun Jazzar | Lebanon | 490,000 | 10 |
Mystery Bounty Madness
The allure of the Mystery Bounty format shone vividly throughout the day, as players eagerly anticipated the exciting cash prizes awarded for eliminations. Once Level 15 arrived, the hunt for bounty tokens commenced with the announcement of three top-tier prizes of $75,000. This unique twist added an extra layer of thrill and strategy to the gameplay.
Alik Zazian initially kicked off the bounty excitement, winning one of the $75,000 prizes during the bubble. Although he finished the day in 116th place with a payout of $3,400, Zazian certainly savored the moment of capturing the grand prize.
The momentum accelerated further as the tournament approached its dinner break, when Matthias Lipp drew not one but two of the coveted $75,000 prizes simultaneously from the bounty chest. The crowd erupted in cheers, with Lipp already having amassed significant value before the night was through.
What’s Next?
With many of the larger Mystery Bounty prizes already claimed, Day 3 promises to resemble a classic freezeout tournament. Players will face off with a substantial portion of the $1,509,072 prize pool still up for grabs at the final table. The highest bounty in play is a mere $5,000, accompanied by several $1,000 envelopes, ensuring competition will remain fierce as the stakes climb.
As the action resumes at midday local time with blinds at 25,000/50,000 and a 50,000 big blind ante, players will be poised for an exciting showdown. Players return with an average stack of over 30 big blinds, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion.
Stay tuned with PokerNews as we bring you live updates and insights directly from the tournament floor. The quest for victory is only just beginning, and the buzz of anticipation hangs thick in the air.
This is shaping up to be a thrilling experience for poker enthusiasts and players alike!
