EPT Cyprus Main Event: Bobby James Emerges as the Chip Leader on Day 3
This week, the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean coast has transformed into a battleground for poker enthusiasts as the European Poker Tour (EPT) descends upon the lavish Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus. The buzz in the air is palpable as players from around the globe vie for the prestigious title of EPT champion. As Day 3 of the EPT Cyprus Main Event unfolds, only 45 contenders remain, each clutching their dreams of poker glory tightly.
Leading the Pack: Bobby James
At the end of Day 3, it was Bobby James who captured the spotlight, leading the pack with an impressive chip count of 2,605,000. James’s stellar performance was bolstered by a series of thrilling hands that demonstrated not just his skill but also a fair share of luck.
In a particularly dramatic moment, James rivered the nut flush, a sequence that turned what could have been a disastrous hand into a significant double up against Akin Tuna, who had made a flopped straight and held a king-high flush. This hand alone propelled James’s stack to 1,600,000. Following that monumental hand, James then clashed with Maksim Rogov in another key moment, where pocket aces triumphed over Rogov’s pocket kings, facilitating James to surpass the 2,000,000 milestone.
Close Contenders: Damir Zhugralin and Philip Joyce
Not far behind James, Damir Zhugralin showcased his strategic prowess by making a crucial decision that solidified his standing. Facing a pivotal moment with his tournament life on the line, Zhugralin held a set of sevens and opted to call a bluff from Fahredin Mustafov. This calculated move pushed his chip stack to 2,410,000, placing him in a strong second position.
Philip Joyce, also a notable performer, entered the fray with a chip count of 2,175,000. Joyce initially broke the million mark after a snap-call against Natan Chauskin, only to boost his total further by picking off a late-night bluff from Taago Tamm.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
The competition is fierce, and with the stakes so high, here’s a closer look at the top ten chip counts as players head into Day 4:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 2,605,000 | 174 |
| 2 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 2,410,000 | 161 |
| 3 | Philip Joyce | United Kingdom | 2,175,000 | 145 |
| 4 | Daniel Jackson | United Kingdom | 1,560,000 | 104 |
| 5 | Lander Lijo | Spain | 1,490,000 | 99 |
| 6 | Roeland Peeks | Netherlands | 1,350,000 | 90 |
| 7 | Adrien Quetelart | France | 1,275,000 | 85 |
| 8 | Artsiom Lasouski | Belarus | 1,240,000 | 83 |
| 9 | Christopher Nguyen | Austria | 1,200,000 | 80 |
| 10 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 1,195,000 | 80 |
History in the Making: Tasyurek and Dato Aim for Back-to-Back Finals
A notable subplot to the main event is the presence of two seasoned players—Andrea Dato and Halil Tasyurek—who reminisce about their near misses from the previous year’s edition of the EPT Cyprus Main Event. Dato, last year’s runner-up, aims to ascend from his current stack of 780,000, while Tasyurek, who finished fourth, stands at 965,000. Their aspiration of replicating Peter Jorgne’s rare feat of consecutive final table appearances is certainly a tantalizing storyline.
Meanwhile, Anton Wigg, the only remaining EPT champion in the tournament, enters Day 4 with 1,195,000 chips, hoping to cement his place in poker history as a two-time EPT winner.
High-Profile Bustouts
Day 3 shook the roster when several accomplished players made their exit. Notably, Adrian Mateos found himself eliminated in 124th place after a brutal straight-over-straight encounter with Daniel Jackson. Team PokerStars Pro Benjamin Spragg also fell short, finishing in 115th place after running into Chakib Mhiri, who hit two pair on the river while Spragg held only a top pair.
As the eliminations continued throughout the day, the names of several celebrated players appeard on the list of those who were unable to make it through. Among them were Sebastian Malec, Lucien Cohen, and Nicolas Chouity, all of whom had their tournament dreams cut short.
Moving Forward
Every remaining player is assured a minimum payout of $18,240 from the impressive total prize pool of $6,227,400. For the eventual champion, the rewards escalate dramatically, with a staggering $1,030,000 awaiting the victor alongside the coveted EPT trophy.
As the players gear up for Day 4, they’ll face blinds of 10,000/15,000 with a 15,000 big blind ante. The average chip stack equates to nearly 60 big blinds, setting the stage for a long, arduous fight toward the final table.
PokerNews will be on hand to deliver live updates and follow the exhilarating action as it unfolds in the coming days. The dream of being crowned EPT champion is still alive for 45 players; who will claim the title remains to be seen.
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