The Exciting Midway Point of the PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event
The atmosphere at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus is electric as the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) hits its halfway mark in the thrilling $5,300 EPT Main Event. With Day 3 set to resume today at 12 p.m. EEST, anticipation is palpable among spectators and players alike.
Tournament Overview
Initially gathering a massive crowd, the tournament attracted 1,284 entries, showcasing the vibrant poker community’s passion and competitive spirit. After two action-packed days, only 144 players remain in contention, all vying for a share of the impressive $6,227,400 prize pool. There’s a lot on the line, with the eventual champion set to take home $1,030,000, along with the coveted PokerStars trophy and the prestigious title of EPT champion.
Current Leaders
As the players prepare for the next round, two frontrunners have grabbed the spotlight. Fahredin Mustafov from Bulgaria has taken the lead with a substantial stack of 920,000 chips, closely pursued by Ivan Zabiiakin from Russia, who holds 915,000 chips. Rounding out the top three is Germany’s Oliver Weis with 715,000 chips.
The top ten chip counts reflect the highly competitive nature of the tournament and highlight the skills of these elite players:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 920,000 | 184 |
| 2 | Ivan Zabiiakin | Russia | 915,000 | 183 |
| 3 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 715,000 | 143 |
| 4 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 705,000 | 141 |
| 5 | Shankui Li | China | 693,000 | 139 |
| 6 | Chakib Mhiri | Tunisia | 648,000 | 130 |
| 7 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 620,000 | 124 |
| 8 | Radoslav Stoyanov | Bulgaria | 575,000 | 115 |
| 9 | Boris Kuzmanovic | Croatia | 573,000 | 115 |
| 10 | Mohamad El Rais | Switzerland | 563,000 | 113 |
Prize Distribution
Every player still in the tournament is guaranteed a minimum payout of $9,100, with incremental jumps offering rewards that increase significantly with each elimination. The prize distribution for the top finishers is as follows:
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,030,000 |
| 2 | $642,300 |
| 3 | $459,000 |
| 4 | $353,100 |
| 5 | $271,400 |
| 6 | $208,720 |
| 7 | $160,500 |
| 8 | $123,400 |
| 9 | $94,940 |
| 10-11 | $73,100 |
| 12-13 | $60,900 |
| 14-15 | $50,760 |
| 16-17 | $42,280 |
| 18-20 | $36,740 |
| 21-23 | $31,940 |
| 24-27 | $27,780 |
| 28-31 | $24,160 |
| 32-39 | $20,980 |
| 40-55 | $18,240 |
| 56-71 | $15,880 |
| 72-95 | $13,820 |
| 96-119 | $12,020 |
| 120-143 | $10,460 |
| 144 | $9,100 |
A New Level of Intensity
As Day 3 unfolds, players will face blinds of 2,500/5,000 with a 5,000 big blind ante, escalating the tension and strategy involved in every decision. The introduction of a shot clock adds another layer of urgency to the gameplay; players will have 15 seconds to make their initial decision and 30 seconds for subsequent moves, making each moment crucial. They start with six time-bank cards, providing valuable additional seconds during high-pressure situations.
Conclusion
With the tournament steadily progressing, the next stages promise high-stakes drama and intense competition. Players across the board are not just competing for monetary gain but for glory and recognition in the storied world of poker.
Keep your eyes glued to PokerNews for the latest updates, player interviews, and key moments from the EPT Cyprus, as the quest for the title continues and the competitors battle it out in what could be a defining moment in their poker careers.
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