Ryan Mandara’s Historic Victory at the 2024 EPT Cyprus High Roller Event
On October 20, 2023, in a spectacular display of skill and strategy, British poker player Ryan Mandara clinched his largest tournament payday, triumphing in the 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus $10,300 buy-in no-limit hold’em high roller. Outshining a competitive field of 456 entries, Mandara walked away with an impressive $709,285, propelling his lifetime earnings to a staggering $1,562,093.
A Remarkable Journey
Before this milestone achievement, Mandara’s biggest score stood at $257,321, which he secured as the champion of the prestigious 2018 Irish Poker Open main event. His victory at EPT Cyprus not only symbolizes a personal triumph but also marks a significant upward shift in his career trajectory within the high-stakes poker circuit.
The tournament was a fierce battleground, drawing numerous talented players, making Mandara’s win even more commendable. His ability to navigate through such a dense field underscores his prowess in the game.
Points of Recognition
Beyond the monetary rewards, Mandara’s victory earned him 1,800 coveted Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points. Notably, this was only his second qualifying score for POY this year, the first being a $1,045 buy-in hyper turbo event. These points have rocketed him into the top 200 of the 2024 POY standings, a testament to his growing reputation on the international poker stage.
A High-Stakes Showdown
The tournament total prize pool surpassed $4.4 million, distributed among the top 63 finishers. High-profile players who cashed in included two-time bracelet winners Alexandre Reard and Aleksejs Ponakovs, among others. The competition escalated as the final table narrowed down, with Mandara’s most significant challenge coming in the form of Jelle Moene (3rd place for $386,200) and Stoyan Madanzhiev (4th place for $297,000).
Madanzhiev, the 2020 WSOP Online main event champion, had a notable run before succumbing to Mandara in a critical hand where he pushed all in with A-7 but lost to Mandara’s A-K, ultimately finishing in fourth place.
The Head-Up Battle
Mandara faced Poland’s Sebastian Malec in the heads-up showdown after eliminating Moene. The two players negotiated a deal that secured $697,115 for Malec and $676,785 for Mandara, leaving $32,500 and the trophy on the line.
When the final head-up match resumed, Malec initially had the upper hand with a chip lead of 12,200,000 to Mandara’s 10,600,000. However, the tides quickly turned in Mandara’s favor when he won a significant pot with a strong pocket pair of kings, outmatching Malec’s queens.
The final blow came when Malec, holding K-9, pushed all-in against Mandara’s 10-10. The board revealed 8-6-3-8-4, sealing Malec’s fate and allowing Mandara to claim the title.
The Final Payouts and Points at the EPT Cyprus
Ryan Mandara’s victory at the 2024 EPT Cyprus not only solidified his status among poker’s elite but also provided substantial financial rewards and valuable Player of the Year points. The final table’s payouts were as follows:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Mandara | $709,285 | 1800 |
| 2 | Sebastian Malec | $697,115 | 1500 |
| 3 | Jelle Moene | $386,200 | 1200 |
| 4 | Stoyan Madanzhiev | $297,000 | 900 |
| 5 | Lev Margolin | $228,500 | 750 |
| 6 | Adrian Cazacu | $175,800 | 600 |
| 7 | Daniel Myers | $135,200 | 450 |
| 8 | Niklas Astedt | $110,900 | 300 |
| 9 | Steve O’Dwyer | $92,400 | 150 |
As the dust settles on this thrilling event, Ryan Mandara not only garners acclaim for his performance but also inspires upcoming players in the poker circuit. His story is a reminder that hard work and perseverance in the world of professional poker can lead to extraordinary success.
Photo Credit: Rational Intellectual Holdings Ltd. / Eloy Cabacas.
