The Climax of the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus: Final Table Set to Crown a Champion
After an exhilarating week filled with high-stakes poker and intense competition, the 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus has reached its pinnacle with the $5,300 Main Event final table set. This year’s tournament attracted an impressive 1,284 entrants, generating an exhilarating prize pool, of which the champion will walk away with a staggering $1,030,000.
The Final Countdown
The exhilarating action culminated after nearly three full levels of play, ultimately leaving just six players from the original field. Tomorrow, these skilled competitors will return to the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Spa, where they will battle it out not only for the coveted trophy but for the exclusive title of EPT Main Event Champion.
Among the final contenders, Oliver Weis emerged as the chip leader, bagging an astonishing 18,505,000 chips, which exceeds his closest rival, Mikhail Shalamov, by over three times the stack. Shalamov concluded Day 5 with a commendable 6,050,000 chips, setting the stage for an interesting match-up.
Weis has had a breakout year, previously securing significant victories, including a $274,313 win at a Jeju event in South Korea and a remarkable first-place finish in the €10,300 High Roller event at EPT Paris, which awarded him a career-best prize of $1,050,978. He expressed his confidence heading into the final day, stating, "I’m feeling pretty good. It would be amazing to cap the year off with another win. Last year was not so good, so hopefully, I can reach the ultimate goal of winning an EPT Main Event."
The Final Table Breakdown
As the tournament progresses, here is a breakdown of the final table:
| Seat | Name | Country | Chips | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikhail Shalamov | Russia | 6,050,000 | 61 |
| 2 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 5,215,000 | 52 |
| 3 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 18,505,000 | 185 |
| 4 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 2,255,000 | 23 |
| 5 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 3,190,000 | 32 |
| 6 | Andriy Lyubovetskiy | Ukraine | 3,295,000 | 33 |
Day 5 Action Recap
Day 5 brought intense action from the start, with Boris Tabiyev, the short stack, making a bold move early on. Unfortunately for Tabiyev, luck was not on his side, as he was eliminated quickly by Philip Joyce, who hit a flush. Shortly after, Marta Miquel Munoz fell victim to Bobby James, continuing a decade-long trend of women missing out on claiming an EPT Main Event title.
The elimination spree continued, with notable players like Eleftherios Sinnos and Halil Tasyurek being knocked out in relatively quick succession. The aggressive play resulted in several doubles and significant chip exchanges, particularly between Joyce and Anton Kraous.
Weis shined brightly on Day 5, propelling himself to the chip lead after successfully executing a critical bluff against then-chip leader Georgios Tsouloftas. The momentum kept going for Weis as he capitalized on various player mistakes, including setting the stage for his remarkable ascent by eliminating Damir Zhugralin.
As the final table approached, Andrea Dato, returning from a close second-place finish the previous year, found himself battling against an increasingly aggressive Weis. Dato’s strength began to fade, especially after his pocket aces were cracked by Shalamov’s pocket sevens.
Ultimately, the first casualty at the final table was Timo Kamphues, followed by Dato, who fell short of the title once again after a crucial confrontation with Weis. Anton Kraous also had his moments fighting for survival but ultimately finished in seventh place after a back-and-forth against James.
What Lies Ahead
The thrilling conclusion of the final table is set for Sunday, October 20, at 12:30 p.m. local time. The remaining six players will return with 69:54 minutes left in Level 29, featuring blind levels of 50,000/100,000 and a 100,000 big-blind ante. With only five eliminations separating players from the top prize, tensions will run high, and every decision could prove monumental.
The poker world will be watching closely as PokerNews continues its coverage, bringing fans every moment until the last hand is dealt and the next EPT Main Event champion is crowned. Will Oliver Weis cap off a stellar year with a win? Or will another player rise to the occasion in dramatic fashion? The stakes have never been higher. Stay tuned!
