Tension Builds as EPT Cyprus Day 4 Concludes with Georgios Tsouloftas in the Lead

As the sun set on the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, the fourth day of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus $5,300 Main Event concluded with thrilling action that left players and fans alike buzzing with excitement. The tournament, which attracted a staggering 1,284 entrants, saw only 16 players emerge as contenders from the original 45 that returned today, setting the stage for an intense showdown as the event moves towards its climax.

Leading the Charge: Georgios Tsouloftas

At the forefront of this elite group is Georgios Tsouloftas, who bagged an impressive stack of 7,970,000 chips, amounting to a commanding 159 big blinds. This marks Tsouloftas’ most significant breakthrough in an EPT event, following his near miss at the recent $1,100 Eureka Main Event where he placed 26th. Hailing from Cyprus, he ranks fourth on the Cypriot all-time money list with over a million dollars in live tournament earnings, most of which has accrued from victories at home. With a deep run in a high-stakes tournament now checked off his list, Tsouloftas is eager to capitalize on this momentum as the final days approach.

Contenders Rising

Trailing Tsouloftas is Germany’s Oliver Weis, sitting at 4,540,000 chips. Weis, who has amassed around $2 million in live earnings, will be looking to build upon his successful performance at EPT Paris where he won a €10,300 High Roller event. In third place is Andriy Lyubovetskiy from Ukraine with a respectable stack of 3,970,000 chips, showcasing strong skills in high-stakes poker tournaments, amassing nearly $2.5 million in live tournament earnings.

Adding to the tension is last year’s runner-up, Andrea Dato, alongside fellow Cypriots Eleftherios Sinnos and the last female player standing, Marta Miquel Munoz, who all finished the day in the top ten. Notable competitor Anton Wigg, a two-time EPT champion, is also contending for supremacy as he seeks to add to his accolades.

Day 4 Action Recap

Day 4 commenced with a flourish, the excitement palpable as 45 players settled back into their seats. However, eliminations quickly followed. Diogo Coelho, the Eureka High Roller champion, was the day’s first casualty, followed closely by Victoria Livschitz. Both players took home $18,240 for their efforts. It was an explosive first level that reduced the field drastically and set the tone for a day filled with tension and thrilling poker scenarios.

The eliminations continued with notable players such as Fahredin Mustafov, the Day 2 chip leader, and Guillermo Gordo, both falling to unfortunate luck with quads and various bad beats. Miquel Munoz’s aggressive play saw her eliminate two players in quick succession, intensifying her chip stack.

Tsouloftas was particularly aggressive, skillfully navigating crucial pots against his rivals. He created a captivating rivalry with Artsiom Lasouski, eliminating him when their respective stacks came to blows. Tsouloftas’ momentum saw him eliminate Lander Lijo and other players, propelling him beyond the crucial four million mark.

The day ended with Yisha Chen being the final player sent to the rail, courtesy of Lyubovetskiy, leaving the remaining 16 players to bag their chips for the high-stakes action that lies ahead.

Looking Ahead: The Future is Now

As the dust settles, all remaining players have guaranteed a payout of $42,280 with hopes of securing a payout jump approaching quickly. The next pay jump awaits just one elimination away at 15th place, promising to elevate the stakes further. The anticipation grows as the remaining chip leaders and competitors prepare to re-enter the fray for Day 5, where the final table will likely take shape.

This event, boasting a $6,227,400 prize pool, thrives on the nerves and determination of its players, creating a thrilling narrative of competition in the Cyprus sun. As the players prepare for another day of poker warfare, all eyes will be glued to Tsouloftas, Weis, and their rivals for what promises to be an electrifying journey towards the EPT Cyprus trophy.

Make sure to tune in to PokerNews for continuous updates on the unfolding saga of the 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event as these 16 remaining warriors fight for fame, glory, and a immensely lucrative first prize of $1,030,000.