High Stakes and High Drama: The $10,200 No Limit Hold’em at EPT Cyprus
The PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) is renowned for bringing together the best poker players from around the globe, and this year’s tournament at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus has been no exception. The excitement reached a fever pitch today with the final high-stakes event on the roster—a $10,200 No Limit Hold’em tournament that featured an intriguing mix of talent and intense competition.
A Competitive Field
Today, the felt welcomed a robust field of 64 entrants, all vying for a piece of the action and a chance to claim a coveted EPT trophy. The tournament structure was fast-paced, encompassing ten swift levels of play that pushed players to make decisive moves and capitalize on opportunities. By the end of Day 1, 34 players managed to secure their places for Day 2, but with registration remaining open until play resumes, anticipation is building for even more competitors to emerge.
As the chips were counted and the smoke cleared, it was Farid Jattin who emerged as the commanding chip leader, boasting a stack of 477,000. Hot on his heels is the exceptionally talented Adrian Mateos, with a formidable stack of 425,000. Both players have a storied history in high-stakes poker and are poised to battle fiercely in the coming days.
Top Stack Highlights
Here’s a closer look at the top ten chip counts after Day 1 of the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em event:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farid Jattin | Colombia | 477,000 | 95 |
| 2 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | 425,000 | 85 |
| 3 | Nikita Kuznetsov | Russia | 406,000 | 81 |
| 4 | Mikalai Vaskaboinikau | Belarus | 364,000 | 73 |
| 5 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 360,000 | 72 |
| 6 | Marius Kudzmanas | Lithuania | 286,000 | 57 |
| 7 | Simone Andrian | Italy | 286,000 | 57 |
| 8 | Gregoire Auzoux | France | 254,000 | 51 |
| 9 | Aren Bezhanyan | Armenia | 254,000 | 51 |
| 10 | Peng Chen | China | 250,000 | 50 |
Among those remaining is Mikalai Vaskaboinikau, currently sitting with 364,000 chips. Notably, Vaskaboinikau is on a remarkable run this series, having taken down the $50,000 Super High Roller for a whopping $601,397. With eyes firmly set on securing his second EPT title in just one week, competition is sure to be fierce.
Rebuy Madness
Today’s action was punctuated by thrilling ups and downs, as players eagerly took advantage of the rebuy option available in this high-stakes environment. A total of 14 re-entries were recorded, with Hassan Nashar and Vladimir Korzinin each taking four shots at the title. Both players showcased their gambling spirit, often engaging in sizable pots even with less than optimal holdings.
In a notable hand, Nashar quickly found himself in an all-in situation with a starting stack. His king-six off-suit was dominated by Felipe Fontoura Ketzer’s king-jack suited, but a unprecedented turn revealed a flush for Nashar, allowing him to double up and continue the chase.
Conversely, Korzinin faced a challenging battle against Ren Lin in what became one of the largest pots of the day. Despite having the edge preflop, Lin flopped the nut straight, drastically altering the course of Korzinin’s tournament. Nevertheless, both players managed to secure stacks of 249,000 and 90,000, respectively, as they prepare for Day 2.
A New Day Awaits
As the players regroup for Day 2 of the event, play will resume tomorrow, October 20th, at noon local time, kicking off at Level 11 with blinds at 2,000/5,000 and a 5,000 big blind ante. The tension in the room is palpable as these formidable players are determined to outlast their opponents for the top prize.
The PokerNews live reporting team will be back in action, delivering coverage throughout the tournament as players battle for supremacy. With spectacular poker ahead, fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting the dramatic unfoldings of the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em event at EPT Cyprus. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling continuation of this high-caliber poker series!
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