Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Clinches EPT Cyprus Title: A Historic Tournament Journey
In the exhilarating world of competitive poker, the stakes are often as high as the excitement that surrounds them. This was abundantly clear at the recent PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus, particularly during the $10,200 No-Limit Hold’em event. Among the stars of the tournament, Mikalai Vaskaboinikau emerged not only as a formidable player but also as a proud new champion, adding another trophy to his collection.
Vaskaboinikau’s Roaring Success
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau has been on a remarkable run this year, having previously secured an impressive $4,737,000 victory at a Triton event in May—a sum that constitutes more than half of his total live tournament winnings. Known for his resilience and skill, Vaskaboinikau continued this hot streak at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus, where he had already claimed his first PokerStars Shard earlier in the series by triumphing in the $50,000 Super High Roller for $601,397.
With momentum favoring him, Vaskaboinikau returned to the felt, eager to seize yet another opportunity for glory. Just a week after his Super High Roller victory, he found himself at the final table of the No-Limit event, facing off against some of the best talents in the poker world.
The Thrilling Final Table
As the tournament progressed, the energy at the final table was electric. Ren Lin from China was eliminated in third place, paving the way for a heads-up match between Vaskaboinikau and Bulgarian player Krasimir Neychev. With an advantageous chip lead, Vaskaboinikau proposed a bold deal: he would take the title while splitting the prize money 50-50. Neychev, recognizing the competitive spirit and the significance of the trophy to Vaskaboinikau, readily accepted. Both players walked away with $195,500 each after the arrangement, while Vaskaboinikau graciously accepted the title and the coveted PokerStars Spade trophy.
"I really wanted the trophy; this is my first Spade," Vaskaboinikau expressed joyously. "These trophies are where you get proud of yourself. We have two kids, and the third is coming, so I need the third trophy—and I’ve got it already here!"
Recap of the $10,200 No-Limit Hold’em Results
The tournament saw a robust participation with 87 entries and a staggering prize pool of $843,900. Following are the notable results from the final table:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikalai Vaskaboinikau | Belarus | $195,500* |
| 2 | Krasimir Neychev | Bulgaria | $195,500* |
| 3 | Ren Lin | China | $109,500 |
| 4 | Farid Jattin | Colombia | $84,300 |
| 5 | Julien Sitbon | France | $64,800 |
| 6 | Viktor Ustimov | Russia | $51,500 |
| 7 | Nikita Kuznetsov | Russia | $41,200 |
| 8 | Hassan Nashar | Gambia | $33,000 |
| 9 | Kully Sidhu | UK | $26,400 |
| 10 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | $21,100 |
| 11 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | $21,100 |
*Represents a heads-up deal.
The Final Day Action
The final day of the tournament promised thrilling action, characterized by the fast-paced nature of the turbo format. From the very beginning, the tournament lived up to its high-stakes reputation as players hurried to secure their places in the money.
Ren Lin showcased his aggression as he built a robust stack early in the game. Meanwhile, Vaskaboinikau, following the lead of Day 1 chip leader Farid Jattin, also began to dominate. As the plays unfolded rapidly and bust-outs became frequent, poker legends like Adrian Mateos and Farid Jattin were eliminated, leaving a smaller yet highly competitive group at the final table.
The tournament reached its adrenaline-pumping climax with player eliminations coming in rapid succession—each a testament to the skill and strategy in the game. Vaskaboinikau’s impressive flush against Lin took him a step closer to the championship, and after he eliminated Lin, all eyes were on the heads-up deal that would follow.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Poker
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau’s victory at the $10,200 No-Limit Hold’em event is a testament to both his skill and determination as a prominent figure in the poker community. The combination of his recent successes and newfound accolades paints a bright future for the Belarusian businessman-turned-poker champion. As he prepares to welcome his third child, his growing collection of trophies serves as a source of pride and motivation.
As the dust settles at the PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus, one can only imagine what lies ahead for Vaskaboinikau and the rest of the poker world. The thrill of competition continues, and for passionate players and fans alike, the journey is as rewarding as the destination. Congratulations to Mikalai Vaskaboinikau on his extraordinary achievements—a remarkable victory that will be remembered for years to come.
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