Thrills and Chills at the EPT Cyprus Main Event: A Recap of Day 1b
The excitement is palpable and the stakes are high at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, where the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event is currently underway. Day 1b brought an impressive addition of 755 entrants, pushing the total number of participants to 1,229, with late registration set to remain open until the start of Day 2. The atmosphere is charged, with players from across the globe vying for a coveted spot in this prestigious tournament.
Ustimov Takes the Lead
When the dust settled at the end of Day 1b, it was Viktor Ustimov who claimed the honor of chip leader among 260 players who survived the initial intense rounds. Ustimov skillfully navigated his way through ten levels of play, escalating his starting stack to a formidable 379,000 chips. This represents over 30 big blinds more than his closest rival, positioning him favorably as he prepares for Day 2.
Ustimov is no stranger to the world of poker, with more than $2 million in live tournament winnings under his belt—albeit without an EPT title to his name. His significant chip stack was bolstered by a memorable moment in the last level of the day, where he successfully called a bluff in a pivotal hand. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Ustimov as he seeks to secure that elusive EPT victory.
Top Ten Chip Counts from Day 1b
As play concluded, here are the standout players at the top of the leaderboard:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Day 2 Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viktor Ustimov | Russia | 379,000 | 253 |
| 2 | Salvatore Camarda | Italy | 325,000 | 217 |
| 3 | Ali Al-Kubasi | Iraq | 301,000 | 201 |
| 4 | Darius Gadeikis | Lithuania | 266,000 | 177 |
| 5 | James Crawley | United Kingdom | 261,000 | 174 |
| 6 | Radoslav Stoyanov | Bulgaria | 250,000 | 167 |
| 7 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 235,000 | 157 |
| 8 | Aliaksei Boika | Belarus | 220,000 | 147 |
| 9 | Yassin Mahmoud | Jordan | 220,000 | 147 |
| 10 | Chakib Mhiri | Tunisia | 208,000 | 139 |
Day 1b Highlights: Big Hands, Bigger Moments
The action on Day 1b was anything but dull, starting with Philippe Souki and Panagiotis Oikonomidis, who both showcased their prowess in the early rounds. Souki made waves with an astounding straight flush, while Oikonomidis pulled off an impressive quadruple. Souki finished the day with 87,000 chips, while Oikonomidis bagged 191,000—a testament to the bold plays made early on.
In a thrilling moment that had spectators on the edge of their seats, a multi-way preflop confrontation occurred involving four players: kings against queens, jacks against tens. Tomas Vaskunas emerged as the victor with pocket kings, leading to a significant increase in his stack as he ended the day with 189,000 chips.
Notable Exits and Surprising Turns
Despite the fierce competition, not every big name ended Day 1b on a high note. Defending champion Gilles Simon had a rough day, unable to build momentum before ultimately being eliminated when his pocket tens met a three-way showdown that favored Chase Wilson, who paired his queen.
Other notable players like Parker Talbot, Tom Middleton, and Benjamin Spragg also fell during Day 1b, illustrating the cutthroat nature of the tournament. Spragg’s exit was particularly dramatic, as he was eliminated during the last level after facing a disastrous set versus two pair situation against Adrien Quetelart.
Looking Forward: What’s Next for the Players?
As the EPT Cyprus Main Event continues, Day 2 is set to begin at 12 p.m. local time on Wednesday, October 16. Players will resume at Level 11, with blinds set at 1,000/1,500 and a 1,500 big-blind ante. This stage of the tournament will see a shift in strategy, as levels lengthen from 60 to 90 minutes and players settle in for the long haul.
The opportunity for late registration remains, adding an extra layer of intrigue as players strategize their next moves. With many talented players still in the running, the excitement is only just beginning.
Keep an Eye on PokerNews
For continued updates and in-depth coverage of the EPT Cyprus Main Event, stay tuned to PokerNews. The poker world is abuzz with anticipation, and this year’s event promises to deliver more unforgettable moments as the competition heats up.
The air is thick with tension, stakes are climbing, and the quest for the ultimate poker title has only just commenced. Will Viktor Ustimov seize his moment, or will another player rise to the occasion? Only time will tell as we eagerly await the unfolding drama at the table.
