The Thrilling Climax of the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus
As the dust begins to settle on an exhilarating week of poker gameplay, excitement builds for the culmination of the 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus. The prestigious $5,300 Main Event has whittled down its field from a staggering 1,284 entrants to just six hopefuls, all vying for the coveted title of EPT Main Event Champion. As the final day approaches, the anticipation is palpable, and all eyes are on the players battling it out at the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Spa.
The Final Table Awaits
Tomorrow promises a showdown like no other, as the final six players return to the felt. They are not only playing for the illustrious trophy but also competing for a life-changing first-place prize of $1,030,000. This unique event has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with the final table set to begin with a significant chip lead held by German poker prodigy Oliver Weis.
Having amassed a staggering 18,505,000 chips, Weis holds more than three times the stack of his nearest rival, Mikhail Shalamov, who ended the previous session with 6,050,000 chips. The other competitors—Bobby James, Georgios Tsouloftas, Anton Wigg, and Andriy Lyubovetskiy—will need to strategize meticulously to keep pace with the dominant Weis.
Oliver Weis: The Breakout Star
Weis’ journey through the tournament has been nothing short of extraordinary. After a successful year that saw him clinch a remarkable victory in Jeju, South Korea for $274,313, as well as win the €10,300 High Roller in Paris for a record-breaking score of $1,050,978, he has solidified his status as a poker powerhouse. With his incredible performance leading up to the final table, Weis expresses his confidence as he said, “It would be amazing to cap the year off with another win."
His towering chip stack serves not only as an advantage but also as a psychological weapon against his opponents. Yet, the final day of poker can be unpredictable, and all eyes will be on Weis to see if he can rise to the occasion and secure his spot in poker history.
Day 5 Highlights
The penultimate day of play, Day 5, saw sixteen players return, and it was clear from the onset that the action would be intense. Early aggressive plays led to swift eliminations, including the unfortunate first exit of Boris Tabiyev, who, despite being short-stacked, went all-in with king-seven but lost to Philip Joyce’s jack-seven, who hit a flush on the river.
Marta Miquel Munoz’s departure also drew attention as she fell victim to Bobby James’ pocket kings, continuing the challenging trend for female players in the EPT, who have not claimed a Main Event title in over a decade.
As the day unfolded, the competition elevated, with players like Eleftherios Sinnos and Halil Tasyurek exiting in quick succession. Joyce and Anton Kraous engaged in a fierce battle of doubling up through each other, dramatically shifting the dynamics of the table.
Oliver Weis began to take flight, launching himself into a commanding lead with a clever bluff against then-chip leader Georgios Tsouloftas, eventually paving his way to ultimate domination and setting the stage for the final table.
Final Table Dynamics
Entering the final table, anticipation ran high, especially for Andrea Dato, who was tied for second in chips and aiming to replicate his success from the previous year. However, anxiety crept in as he suffered a significant setback when his aces were cracked by Shalamov’s sevens, sending him spiraling down the chip count.
The first elimination of the final table came from Timo Kamphues, followed by Andrea Dato, whose ace-jack fell to Weis’ pocket queens—an unfortunate repeat for Dato, who had to settle for eighth place. The most heartbreaking moment, however, arrived when Anton Kraous, despite a valiant effort to climb back into contention, exited with seventh place after struggling against Bobby James.
The Payouts at Stake
As the final six prepare for the decisive clash, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Each player has their eyes fixed on the impressive first-place payout of $1,030,000, with the full breakdown of prizes as follows:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,030,000 | ||
| 2 | $642,300 | ||
| 3 | $459,000 | ||
| 4 | $353,100 | ||
| 5 | $271,400 | ||
| 6 | $208,720 | ||
| 7 | Anton Kraous | Bulgaria | $160,000 |
| 8 | Andrea Dato | Italy | $123,400 |
| 9 | Timo Kamphues | Germany | $94,940 |
Looking Ahead
The final table will resume on Sunday, October 20, at 12:30 p.m. local time, with players prepared for a thrilling conclusion to the week-long event. With approximately 69 minutes left in Level 29 where blinds sit at 50,000/100,000 and a 100,000 big-blind ante, it promises intense action filled with strategic plays and potential upsets.
As the clock ticks down and the players gear up for battle, the excitement is at an all-time high. Will Oliver Weis continue his reign, or will one of the other talented players rise to seize the moment? Tune in as PokerNews provides ongoing coverage until the final hand is dealt and the next EPT Main Event Champion is crowned.
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