Day 4 Highlights from the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event
As the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus heads into its penultimate stages, the excitement among players and fans reaches a fever pitch. On Day 4, 45 players resumed their quest for glory at the lavish Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, battling through intense competition in pursuit of the prestigious EPT title and a share of the impressive $6,227,400 prize pool. By day’s end, the field drastically shrank, leaving only 16 hopefuls vying for the ultimate poker crown.
Georgios Tsouloftas Takes Command
Topping the chip counts as Day 4 concluded was Georgios Tsouloftas, a local talent who amassed an astonishing 7,970,000 chips, equivalent to a staggering 159 big blinds. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Tsouloftas, who is currently ranked fourth on the Cypriot all-time money list and has earned over a million dollars in live tournament play – predominantly on home soil. Up until this event, he hadn’t secured a deep run in an EPT event, with his closest brush being a 26th-place finish in a $1,100 Eureka Main Event just days prior.
Following Tsouloftas in the chip standings was Oliver Weis, possessing a total of 4,540,000 chips. Weis, hailing from Germany, has earned just over two million dollars in live tournaments, with half of that coming from his recent victory in the €10,300 High Roller at EPT Paris 2024. Close behind him was Ukrainian player Andriy Lyubovetskiy, who controlled a stack of 3,970,000 chips.
Day 4 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 7,970,000 | 159 |
| 2 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 4,540,000 | 91 |
| 3 | Andriy Lyubovetskiy | Ukraine | 3,970,000 | 79 |
| 4 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 3,160,000 | 63 |
| 5 | Mikhail Shalamov | Russian Federation | 2,600,000 | 52 |
| 6 | Andrea Dato | Italy | 2,575,000 | 52 |
| 7 | Eleftherios Sinnos | Cyprus | 2,295,000 | 46 |
| 8 | Marta Miquel Munoz | Spain | 2,235,000 | 45 |
| 9 | Philip Joyce | United Kingdom | 1,650,000 | 33 |
| 10 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 1,555,000 | 31 |
Notable Players Still in the Mix
The remaining contenders include last year’s runner-up Andrea Dato, fellow Cypriot Eleftherios Sinnos, last woman’s champion Marta Miquel Munoz, and Anton Wigg, who is looking to join the elite circle of two-time EPT champions.
A Roller Coaster Day 4
The fourth day kicked off with high stakes and heightened tensions as players returned with dreams of reaching the final table. The action was relentless from the outset, with the player count swiftly dwindling from 45 to just 34 in the first level alone. Notable eliminations early in the day included Diogo Coelho and Victoria Livschitz, both of whom walked away with a payout of $18,240.
Eliminations continued at a rapid pace, as Fahredin Mustafov, the Day 2 chipleader, was sent packing in 32nd place, while other significant exits included Daniel Jackson (28th for $24,160) and Roeland Peeks (26th for $27,780). Each fold and showdown unfolding full of drama and skill, as players maneuvered through shifting tides of fortune.
Tsouloftas Makes His Mark
Tsouloftas showcased his skills spectacularly throughout the day, engaging in aggressive plays and winning critical pots. His rivalry with Artsiom Lasouski was particularly intense, featuring several high-stakes confrontations. Ultimately, Tsouloftas eliminated Lasouski in 20th place ($36,740), solidifying his lead before concluding the day in commanding fashion.
As the field narrowed, the excitement built further, culminating in the exit of last player eliminated, Yisha Chen, leaving only 16 players to return the following day.
Looking Ahead to the Final Stages
The 16 surviving players will return for Day 5, prepared to play down to at least a final table. With just over 52 minutes left in Level 26, where blinds are set at 25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante, every move becomes crucial.
All players returning have secured a payout of $42,280, with elimination from 15th place leading to a further pay jump to $50,760. The stakes inevitably rise, especially considering those who reach the final table are guaranteed six figures, with the champion set to earn a whopping $1,030,000.
Poker fans, mark your calendars! Don’t miss the thrilling return of the action tomorrow, where every bet and bluff could reshape the fate of the tournament. Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the latest updates, live reports, and expert analysis as the 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event heads towards its exhilarating conclusion.
