A Glimpse into the Thrilling Action at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus
The allure of high-stakes poker has once again drawn players from around the world to the picturesque shores of Cyprus. The 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus festival commenced on October 9 and will continue until October 20, featuring a series of exciting events at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel & Spa. In just the first six days, four high-stakes tournaments have already concluded, with substantial prize pools totaling over $3.6 million. Let’s explore the thrilling highlights and results from these initial events.
The Venue: Merit Royal Diamond Hotel & Spa
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Cyprus, the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel & Spa provides the perfect setting for poker enthusiasts to indulge in their passion. The opulent surroundings offer not only a chance to compete for life-changing sums of money but also a luxurious experience for players, enhancing the tournament atmosphere.
Unveiling the First Four High-Stakes Events
1. EPT Cyprus $10,200 No-Limit Hold’em Mystery Bounty
The festival kicked off with the $10,200 Mystery Bounty event, attracting 75 entrants and generating a massive prize pool of $727,500. The tournament’s unique format added an exciting twist, with bounties awarded for knocking out opponents. It was Uruguayan player Marcelo Bonanata who claimed victory, winning $156,800 along with 420 Card Player Player of the Year points—marking his first-ever live tournament title.
He faced stiff competition from seasoned pro Aleksejs Ponakovs, who finished in second place for $141,500. Other notable players finishing in the top ranks included Tom Vogelsang, Santhosh Suvarna, and Yulian Bogdanov, demonstrating the high caliber of talent present.
Top 5 Finishers:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcelo Bonanata | $156,800 | 420 |
| 2 | Aleksejs Ponakovs | $141,500 | 350 |
| 3 | Vladimir Korzinin | $78,300 | 280 |
| 4 | Tom Vogelsang | $87,700 | 210 |
| 5 | Santhosh Suvarna | $34,600 | 175 |
2. EPT Cyprus $12,300 No-Limit Hold’em Bounty
Next on the schedule was the $12,300 no-limit bounty event, featuring 54 entries and a total prize pool of $635,040. Armenian player Aren Bezhanyan emerged victorious, earning $247,840, the largest score of his live tournament career to date.
Notably, Biao Ding clinched third place, walking away with $85,700—a testament to his rising prominence in the high-stakes scene.
Top 5 Finishers:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aren Bezhanyan | $247,840 | 300 |
| 2 | Alexandr Chernikov | $112,400 | 250 |
| 3 | Biao Ding | $85,700 | 200 |
3. EPT Cyprus $20,000 No-Limit Hold’em
The action escalated with a $20,000 buy-in tournament that saw a competitive field of 47 players. Ognyan Dimov, a two-time bracelet winner, took down the event, securing a prize of $253,876. Interestingly, the runner-up, Kayhan Mokri, made headlines by negotiating a heads-up deal that allowed him to walk away with the largest payout of $260,800.
Dimov’s claim to victory added another chapter to his storied career while enhancing his standing on the Player of the Year leaderboard, reinforcing why he remains one to watch in the poker world.
Top 5 Finishers:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ognyan Dimov | $253,876 | 360 |
| 2 | Kayhan Mokri | $260,800 | 300 |
| 3 | Aleksejs Ponakovs | $139,900 | 240 |
4. EPT Cyprus $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em
The series reached new heights with the first of three $25,000 events, which drew 57 entrants and built a staggering prize pool of $1,368,570. Elias Gutierrez emerged as the champion, taking home $417,570—the largest score of his career to date, pushing his total career earnings to over $1.1 million.
The leaderboard for this event included several prominent names as well, with Adrian Mateos finishing third, maintaining his status as the Player of the Year front-runner.
Top 5 Finishers:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elias Gutierrez | $417,570 | 420 |
| 2 | Alexander Zubov | $273,700 | 350 |
| 3 | Adrian Mateos | $198,400 | 280 |
The Road Ahead: More Exciting Events
With several days left in the festival, poker enthusiasts can expect thrilling competition across the remaining events. As players continue to vie for their share of the lucrative prize money, the stakes are set to rise. Each tournament provides an outstanding opportunity for both new and seasoned players alike to showcase their skills and earn acclaim in the world of high-stakes poker.
While we eagerly await the outcomes of the next events, it’s clear that the 2024 EPT Cyprus has already made a significant mark, promising even more memorable moments in the days to come. As the excitement unfolds, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest developments and results.
Photo Credits: Rational Intellectual Holdings Ltd. / Danny Maxwell, Manuel Kovsca.
