Elias Gutierrez Triumphs at EPT Cyprus: A Journey of a Poker Pro
Date: October 12, 2024 | Reading Time: 5 min
In the world of professional poker, victories can hinge on a moment of clarity, a flash of strategy, or simply a timely break. For Elias Gutierrez, a rising star of the game and part of the esteemed Team PokerStars Pro, a brief intermission during a crucial match proved pivotal in his exhilarating journey to win the European Poker Tour Cyprus $25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up, alongside a hefty prize of $417,570.
The Build-Up
Gutierrez entered the heads-up match against Alexander Zubov of Russia riding high on confidence, sporting a significant chip lead. However, as the match progressed, Zubov’s tenacity began to wear him down, flipping the tables in his favor. With the pressure mounting and the title slipping from his grasp, Gutierrez found himself at a crossroads. But fate had a different plan—a scheduled 15-minute break gave him a moment to recalibrate.
The break became a sanctuary for Gutierrez, allowing him to relax and rethink his strategy. “It means a lot because I always feel the pressure of winning, especially creating content,” he reflected post-victory. “The break was great for me. I could relax a bit and rethink what I was doing. And in the end, I end up winning, which is amazing so I’m very happy.”
Final Table Highlights
The EPT Cyprus $25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up gathered an elite field of 57 players, creating a prize pool that soared to $1,368,570. The competition featured some of the best names in the business, including notable players such as Adrian Mateos and Dimitar Danchev. The final table results were as follows:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | $417,570 |
| 2 | Alexander Zubov | Russia | $273,700 |
| 3 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | $198,400 |
| 4 | Dimitar Danchev | Bulgaria | $150,500 |
| 5 | Artsiom Lasouski | Belarus | $116,300 |
| 6 | Enrico Camosci | Italy | $89,000 |
| 7 | Aleksejs Ponakovs | Latvia | $68,400 |
| 8 | Zhendong Li | China | $54,700 |
A Game of Resiliency
Gutierrez’s victory was not just a statistics game; it was a saga of resilience. Throughout the tournament, he mirrored the spirit of a seasoned player, coming from behind in key moments, notably winning a significant pot against Enrico Camosci with a set of jacks that put him back in contention. As the competition heated up, he faced elimination risks, especially after losing the chip lead to Zubov just before the break.
Once the break concluded, Gutierrez returned with renewed vigor, seizing the lead once more with strategic plays that left Zubov scrambling. The match culminated in a gripping confrontation that showcased the high stakes of poker, ultimately leading to Gutierrez’s triumphant ascent.
A Transition to Live Poker
Historically, Gutierrez has been predominantly an online player, securing a SCOOP title in 2021 and achieving cashes dating back to as early as 2010. The significance of this live tournament win cannot be overstated—it represents his first live tournament victory in 14 years and a first-time champion on the EPT circuit. This achievement is likely to pivot Gutierrez’s focus toward live poker in the future, as he expressed, “I see myself playing live poker mainly.”
A Content Creator at Heart
Beyond his prowess at the tables, Gutierrez is also a prolific content creator. With over 200,000 subscribers on YouTube and 120,000 followers on Twitch, he shares his poker journey with fans, providing them with an inside look at both his victories and his struggles. “It means double when you win a tournament,” Gutierrez explained. “This is special today, but it will also be special the day I can upload this video and people can relive this experience from a different angle.”
Final Thoughts
The EPT Cyprus $25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up was more than just a tournament for Elias Gutierrez; it was a defining moment in his poker career. As he reflects on his victory, there’s an undeniable sense of fulfillment in balancing his passions for both poker and content creation.
“It is my other passion to create content,” he concluded. After finally savoring this breakthrough achievement, Gutierrez plans to take a step back before diving back into the fast-paced world of competitive poker once again. For now, he has earned a well-deserved rest, having proven not just to himself but to fans around the world that resilience and strategy can indeed lead to victory in the high-stakes game of poker.
