Exciting Action at the European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event
The vibrant atmosphere of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa is palpable as players from all walks of life come together to showcase their poker skills. On Day 1b of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event, an exhilarating game unfolded, drawing in an impressive 755 contestants. The total number of entrants has now climbed to an astounding 1,229, with late registration still open until the commencement of Day 2.
Dominance on the Felt: Viktor Ustimov Claims the Chip Lead
As the dust settled and the final hand was dealt, the spotlight shone brightly on Viktor Ustimov, the chip leader of the day. Ustimov ran his initial stack up to a staggering 379,000 chips, finishing with a commanding lead over 260 players remaining. His poker prowess is backed by a remarkable history of over $2 million in live tournament earnings; however, the elusive EPT title remains out of reach.
Ustimov made waves during the final levels of play, notably picking off a bluff in a significant pot, which solidified his lead and left him with more than 30 big blinds than the next closest competitor, Salvatore Camarda, who ended the day with 325,000.
End of Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Day 2 Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viktor Ustimov | Russia | 379,000 | 253 |
| 2 | Salvatore Camarda | Italy | 325,000 | 217 |
| 3 | Ali Al-Kubasi | Iraq | 301,000 | 201 |
| 4 | Darius Gadeikis | Lithuania | 266,000 | 177 |
| 5 | James Crawley | United Kingdom | 261,000 | 174 |
| 6 | Radoslav Stoyanov | Bulgaria | 250,000 | 167 |
| 7 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 235,000 | 157 |
| 8 | Aliaksei Boika | Belarus | 220,000 | 147 |
| 9 | Yassin Mahmoud | Jordan | 220,000 | 147 |
| 10 | Chakib Mhiri | Tunisia | 208,000 | 139 |
Thrilling Highlights from Day 1b Action
Day 1b kicked off with a bang as players dove into the action. Philippe Souki warmed up the tables by executing a stunning straight flush early in the game, while Panagiotis Oikonomidis made a jaw-dropping quads, setting a high bar for the day. Both players capitalized on their early success, with Souki finishing with 87,000 chips and Oikonomidis bagging 191,000.
Perhaps the most memorable hand of the day featured an astounding four players going all-in pre-flop, showcasing the fierce competition. In this intense showdown, Tomas Vaskunas held pocket kings and rode the wave to a remarkable stack of 189,000 chips by the end of the day.
Among the notable players who will continue onto Day 2 include Sebastian Malec (85,000), Artur Martirosian (95,000), Michael Wang (103,000), Lucien Cohen (138,000), and Andras Nemeth (163,500). One player definitely to watch is Anton Wigg, who is striving for his second EPT Main Event title with a formidable stack of 235,000.
Ups and Downs: A Champions’ Struggles
The defending champion, Gilles Simon, was unable to find his rhythm during this eventful day. After struggling for much of the time with a dwindling stack, Simon committed his chips with pocket tens in a three-way pot. Unfortunately for him, a queen paired during the hand eliminated Simon from the tournament prematurely.
Several other notable professionals also faced early exits, including Parker Talbot, Tom Middleton, Leonard Maue, and Benjamin Spragg. Their dreams of glory in Cyprus were dashed after facing crushing hands that left them on the sidelines.
Looking Ahead
Day 2 of the EPT Cyprus Main Event is set to begin at 12 p.m. local time on Wednesday, October 16. Players will resume play at Level 11, involving 1,000/1,500 blinds and a 1,500 big-blind ante. Extended levels will focus on 90 minutes of play, with breaks scheduled after each level. Late registration will remain for anyone who has yet to participate or only entered one previous flight.
As the tournament progresses, excitement is brewing within the walls of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. The thrilling action is far from over, and fans can expect more fireworks in the coming days. Stay tuned to PokerNews for the latest updates and insights as the EPT Cyprus Main Event continues to unfold!
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