Action Heats Up at the $25,000 Second Chance: A Recap of Day 1
The anticipation for high-stakes poker was palpable as the $25,000 Second Chance event kicked off at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus. This event, the final high roller tournament of the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus, saw 31 players gather for a day filled with intense action, strategic gameplay, and significant bankrolls.
A Quick Overview of Day 1
Despite the action being limited to just four hours of play, the energy in the room was electric. As players began to bust, many opted to re-enter, and by the end of the day, the total number of entries jumped to 38. Late-registration remains open until the start of Day 2, promising an even larger field and potentially larger prize pools.
When the dust settled, Albert Daher emerged as the chip leader, having bagged an impressive stack of 885,000 chips. Not far behind, Elias Gutierrez, a recent champion of the $25,000 SHR Warm Up, held 808,000 chips. Completing the top three was Hassan Nashar with 805,000, who demonstrated remarkable resilience by firing three bullets before finding his footing.
A Rising Star: Albert Daher
Albert Daher is no stranger to EPT High Roller events, boasting three victories in recent years. His resurgence in the Cyprus high roller scene includes a memorable win over Mikita Badziakouski last year, which earned him a substantial $264,690 first-place prize. As the chip leader going into Day 2, Daher is well-positioned to continue his dominance and potentially secure another victory.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Name | Country | Chips | Day 2 Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albert Daher | Lebanon | 885,000 | 148 |
| 2 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | 808,000 | 135 |
| 3 | Hassan Nashar | Senegal | 805,000 | 134 |
| 4 | Johannes Straver | Netherlands | 624,000 | 104 |
| 5 | Teun Mulder | Netherlands | 616,000 | 103 |
| 6 | Vladimir Korzinin | Estonia | 587,000 | 98 |
| 7 | Kayhan Mokri | Norway | 541,000 | 90 |
| 8 | Danilo Velasevic | Croatia | 500,000 | 83 |
| 9 | Aleksejs Ponakovs | Latvia | 454,000 | 76 |
| 10 | Vicente Delgado | Spain | 430,000 | 72 |
The Action of the Day
The day started with Masashi Oya taking an early lead, showcasing his skills by slowplaying aces against Juan Pardo‘s ace-king on a king-high board. However, the spotlight soon shifted to Jelle Moene, who seized the chip lead after a dramatic cooler—a straight versus straight clash against Jérémie Zouari.
As the tournament progressed, Hassan Nashar entered with an aggressive strategy, frequently employing large bet sizes and even playing cards without looking at them. His unusual tactics paid off as he soon became a force to be reckoned with, contributing to an already dynamic table.
Gutierrez capitalized on Nashar’s erratic play to double his stack and eliminate Nashar temporarily before he re-entered the tournament. Despite the setbacks, Nashar quickly regained his chips, winning critical pots—including a flip against Moene with pocket tens. Meanwhile, Daher also made a significant climb up the leaderboard by hitting a lucky five on the river against Simone Andrian‘s ace-king.
Looking Ahead to Day 2
As the stage is set for Day 2, the excitement remains high with more players expected to join the fray. Scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m. local time, gameplay will resume at Level 9, where blinds will be 3,000/6,000 with a 6,000 big-blind ante. With fifteen-minute breaks scheduled after every four levels and a 75-minute dinner break after Level 20, players will have opportunities to recharge and refine their strategies.
Day 2 promises to be filled with drama as the game unfolds, with seasoned pros and emerging talents alike vying for the coveted high roller title. The world of poker enthusiasts will surely keep their eyes on the action as it continues to unfold in Cyprus.
Conclusion
The commencement of the $25,000 Second Chance event at the EPT Cyprus has already showcased incredible skill and thrilling gameplay, setting a high bar for what is yet to come. As the best players put their strategies to the test, fans and participants alike are in for an exhilarating ride. Be sure to follow PokerNews for ongoing coverage and updates as we inch closer to crowning the next high roller champion!
