Action-Packed Day at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa: EPT Cyprus Main Event Day 1b
The glamorous setting of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa was the stage for an electrifying Day 1b of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event. As 755 entrants joined the tournament, excitement surged throughout the venue, setting the stage for an intense day of poker action. With a current total of 1,229 players and late registration still open, the anticipation for Day 2 is palpable.
Viktor Ustimov Takes Center Stage
At the close of Day 1b, it was the skilled player Viktor Ustimov who emerged as the overall chip leader. With a massive chip count of 379,000 after ten levels of play, Ustimov showcased his prowess and strategic genius on the felt. His reputation precedes him, having accumulated over $2 million in live tournament earnings, yet an EPT title still eludes him.
Ustimov solidified his lead by picking off a bluff in an impressive pot during the final level of the day, giving him over 30 big blinds more than his closest competitor. As Day 2 approaches, all eyes will be on Ustimov as he seeks to break his EPT title drought.
End of Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
Here’s a look at the top ten chip counts at the end of Day 1b:
| 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 Day 1b Action
From the start of the day, excitement filled the air as players eagerly engaged in high-stakes action. Among the early highlights, Philippe Souki displayed his card prowess by making a straight flush, while Panagiotis Oikonomidis wowed the crowd with a remarkable set of quads. Both players capitalized on their early good fortune, finishing with chip counts of 87,000 and 191,000, respectively.
An unexpected twist unfolded later as four players found themselves all-in preflop, clashing with pocket kings, queens, jacks, and tens. Tomas Vaskunas emerged victorious with his kings holding strong, significantly boosting his stack to 189,000.
Notable Players Entering Day 2
In addition to Ustimov, several other notable players have secured their place in Day 2, including:
- Sebastian Malec (85,000)
- Artur Martirosian (95,000)
- Michael Wang (103,000)
- Lucien Cohen (138,000)
- Andras Nemeth (163,500)
Anton Wigg, a previous EPT champion, also secured a top-ten stack with 235,000, as he aims to capture a second title.
The Fall of the Defending Champion
The excitement of the tournament came with heartbreak as defending champion Gilles Simon struggled throughout the day. Despite taking an early seat, Simon was unable to regain momentum. His journey came to a tragic end when he committed his short stack with pocket tens in a three-way all-in, only to be outdone when Chase Wilson paired his queen, eliminating Simon from the competition.
The Road Ahead
As Day 2 approaches, competition is set to intensify. Action resumes on October 16 at 12 p.m. local time, restarting at Level 11 with blinds at 1,000/1,500 and a 1,500 big-blind ante. Players can anticipate levels extended from 60 to 90 minutes, providing ample opportunity for strategic play. Late registrations remain open, allowing potential competitors a chance to join the fray.
With plenty of excitement still in store, be sure to check back with PokerNews for ongoing coverage as the EPT Cyprus Main Event continues to unfold. The journey is just getting started, and the stakes are higher than ever!
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