Diogo Coelho Triumphs at the EPT Cyprus $2,200 Eureka High Roller
On a momentous third day at the prestigious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, the poker spotlight firmly shone on Diogo Coelho as he claimed victory in the $2,200 Eureka High Roller during the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus. After an exhaustive 16-hour Day 2 concluded with four players still in contention, it took a mere two hours of play on this unscheduled day for Coelho to secure his place in poker history, triumphing over a formidable field of 1,374 entries and a prize pool of $2,610,600.
Coelho’s Path to Glory
Coelho’s remarkable achievement arrives on the heels of a narrow miss at the 2024 WSOP Main Event, where he finished just outside the final table in 10th place, earning $800,000. His return to the felt in Cyprus proved to be a redemptive journey as he faced off against Italy’s Michele Guerrini in a tense heads-up battle after negotiating a deal that guaranteed Coelho $357,048, along with an additional $20,000 set aside for their showdown. Guerrini concluded his campaign with a commendable $328,592.
As the final table progressed, the dynamics shifted rapidly. Coelho’s quick ascendance to victory was fueled by the elimination of Ibrahim Ghassan in fourth place, followed by the fall of Mukhtor Nasiradinov—the chip leader at the start of the day—who found himself taking the third spot after an unfortunate series of hands.
Final Table Results
EPT Cyprus $2,200 Eureka High Roller Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diogo Coelho | Portugal | $357,048* |
| 2 | Michele Guerrini | Italy | $328,592* |
| 3 | Mukhtor Nasiradinov | Russian Federation | $187,410 |
| 4 | Ibrahim Ghassan | Lebanon | $144,610 |
| 5 | Ali Emre Ozcan | Turkey | $110,900 |
| 6 | Roman Timergazin | Russian Federation | $85,310 |
| 7 | Gediminas Uselis | Lithuania | $65,630 |
| 8 | Leonid Logunov | Russian Federation | $50,490 |
*denotes heads-up deal
Winner’s Reaction
Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, Coelho expressed sheer elation. "It feels amazing," he stated, noting that winning such a prestigious trophy was beyond his expectations. This win marks Coelho’s second EPT trophy, following his triumph at the $10,300 High Roller at EPT Paris.
However, it wasn’t an easy journey to the top. Midway through Day 2, Coelho found himself perilously close to elimination, clinging to less than two big blinds when a critical value bet led to a devastating drop in chips. “It is a situation where we lost a little bit of hope,” he reflected, yet his determination propelled him to fight back.
The Thrilling Conclusion: Day 3 Action
The final day began with a suspenseful atmosphere as Ghassan entered as the short stack, and his elimination came swiftly—only ten minutes into the day—when his hand fell short against his opponents. Meanwhile, Coelho faced his own struggles, briefly becoming the shortest stack three-handed before doubling through Guerrini, igniting a comeback.
Nasiradinov, who had led at the outset, soon saw his fortunes dwindling, ultimately finishing in third place after a pivotal flip against Guerrini. This shifted the dynamic as Coelho, having gained momentum, began to assert his authority at the table.
Once heads-up play commenced, Coelho and Guerrini agreed to a deal based on their respective chip stacks, leaving a substantial $20,000 and the coveted trophy to battle for. As the duel unfolded, Coelho capitalized on every opportunity and eventually seized a slight chip advantage.
The tournament climaxed when Coelho’s ace-seven outperformed Guerrini’s king-eight, securing his victory with an ace on the river.
Celebrating Victory
With the stunning trophy in hand and a substantial payout of $357,048 awaiting his collection, Coelho’s joy was palpable. A portion of his winnings would be reinvested in the ongoing tournament series as he prepared to enter the Main Event, but not before taking a well-deserved break to reflect on his triumph.
Coelho’s impressive journey through the tournament exemplifies resilience and skill, and his victory serves as a sure reminder that in the world of poker, fortune often favors the brave. As he revels in this significant milestone, the poker community eagerly anticipates what further achievements the talented player will achieve in the future.
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