Thrilling Showdown: Day 2 of the $3,000 Mystery Bounty at the EPT Cyprus
The vibrant atmosphere of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa was electric as Day 2 of the $3,000 Mystery Bounty event of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus drew to an exhilarating close. The day began with a packed field of 305 players, but as the sun set, the number dwindled to just 15, setting the stage for an intense final showdown.
Surviving the Bubble
As the pressure mounted, the tension was palpable at the tables. With 128 players guaranteed a payout, the tension reached a breaking point when two players—Lukas Zaskodny and Fabian Schmidt—found themselves eliminated just before the money bubble burst. Both players walked away with a split min-cash, a bittersweet ending to their hopes at glory on this action-packed day.
Day 2 Chip Leaders
By the end of the day, the leaderboard was dominated by Uladzimir Zhyharau from Belarus, who returned to his formidable chip-leading status with an impressive 4,920,000 in chips. Starting the day with a strong stack, Zhyharau capitalized on critical moments, notably doubling his stack with pocket tens against Krum Polihronov right before the end of the day. He later solidified his lead by winning a pot with pocket eights against Aren Bezhanyen.
While it was an almost flawless day for Zhyharau, it was not without challenges. However, his tactical acumen and timely decisions positioned him favorably as the tournament headed into the critical final stages.
In hot pursuit was Ryhor Karapanau, who bagged up 3,225,000 in second place. His aggressive style paid off as he eliminated several players towards the close of the day, including Konstantin Voronin and Henok Tekle.
Notably, Nicolae Paunescu was the only other player to surpass 3 million chips, closing out Day 2 in third position. Other players like Marius Kudzmanas and Matthias Lipp also solidified their places among the chip leaders, setting the stage for a dynamic Day 3.
The Thrill of Mystery Bounty
One of the defining features of this tournament format is the enticing Mystery Bounty aspect, which allows players to win substantial prizes through eliminations. As this distinctive format came into play during Level 15, whispers of excitement filled the room. A total of three $75,000 prizes were up for grabs alongside two $40,000 envelopes.
The first big winner of the session was Alik Zazian, who fortuitously pulled out a $75,000 prize during the bubble but finished in 116th place for a consolation payout of $3,400. The thrill escalated during the dinner break when Matthias Lipp made headlines by miraculously pulling two $75,000 bounties in succession—momentarily shaking the tournament ground with cheers from his supporters. With an excellent run already in terms of bounties, Lipp finished the day with a healthy stack of 2,325,000 chips, showing that luck was on his side.
Additionally, Stefan Uebber and Alessandro Pichierri celebrated their successful forays into the bounty chest, both securing $40,000 prizes. Other players such as Alexey Losev, Hadi Khordbin, and Patrick Leonard joined the bounty-hunting frenzy, claiming varying sums from the prize pool.
Remaining Payouts and What’s Next
As Day 2 drew to a close, it became evident that the real action had yet to take place. With a staggering $1,509,072 in the prize pool, players were eagerly eyeing the lucrative payouts ahead. The stakes are high for the final table, with the first-place prize set at an impressive $265,972.
Day 3 promises to be a thrilling affair, kicking off at midday local time with blinds at 25,000/50,000 and a 50,000 big blind ante. As players return to average stacks of over 30 big blinds, the game is expected to unfold rapidly, particularly with many of the current leaders holding significant chips.
Conclusion
As the remaining players prepare for Day 3, the anticipation is palpable for poker enthusiasts and casual spectators alike. Dramatic showdowns, strategic maneuvering, and life-changing prizes await in what promises to be an unforgettable continuation of the $3,000 Mystery Bounty event at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus. Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates as these combatants battle for supremacy on the felt.
