Action Unfolds at the European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event – Day 1b Highlights
The glimmering lights of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa were alive with excitement as Day 1b of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event attracted an impressive 755 entrants. This surge in participation brought the total number of players to 1,229, with late registration still available until the commencement of Day 2. The tournament, known for its high stakes and fierce competition, continued to showcase why it’s one of the premier events in the poker calendar.
Viktor Ustimov Stands Tall as Chip Leader
As the final hand of Day 1b was dealt, Viktor Ustimov emerged as the undisputed chip leader, accumulating a staggering 379,000 chips, significantly ahead of his competitors. The Russian professional, who boasts over $2 million in live tournament earnings, showcased his prowess on the felt, successfully navigating the day with a mix of strategic plays and fortunate outcomes. Notably, a critical moment came during the final level when Ustimov performed an impressive play, calling a bluff that solidified his chip lead as he headed into Day 2 with a comfortable stack and more than 30 big blinds over the next closest player.
End of Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
| 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 |
Highlights from Day 1b Action
Day 1b was a rollercoaster of thrilling hands, showcasing the high-stakes drama that poker fans crave. The action kicked off with excitement as Philippe Souki made waves by pulling off a spectacular straight flush, while Panagiotis Oikonomidis followed suit with an equally impressive quad. These early successes set the tone for a competitive day, with Souki wrapping up with a solid stack of 87,000 chips and Oikonomidis bagging 191,000.
In a particularly dramatic confrontation, four players went all-in before the flop with hands of kings, queens, jacks, and tens in play. Tomas Vaskunas came out on top with pocket kings, allowing him to swell his chip count to 189,000 as the action continued to heat up.
Notable Advances and Unexpected Exits
As the day progressed, many poker powerhouses secured their Day 2 seats, including Sebastian Malec (85,000), Artur Martirosian (95,000), and Andras Nemeth (163,500). All eyes, however, were on defending champion Gilles Simon, who faced an uphill battle throughout much of the day. Despite an early start, Simon’s run came to an abrupt end during a pivotal three-way all-in, where he found himself at the mercy of Chase Wilson, who managed to pair his queen, eliminating the reigning champion from the tournament.
Other notable players who fell short of Day 2 included well-known figures like Parker Talbot, Tom Middleton, and Benjamin Spragg, further emphasizing the day’s intensity.
Looking Ahead to Day 2
Scheduled to commence at 12 p.m. local time on October 16, Day 2 will pick up with the blinds set at 1,000/1,500 and a 1,500 big-blind ante. As play resumes in Level 11, the tournament will switch to 90-minute levels, ensuring more action-packed poker for both players and spectators.
With late registration lingering until the start of play, the field could still change dramatically, inviting even more talent to the felt. The excitement is palpable, and with such a promising start to the event, eager fans can look forward to continued coverage of the EPT Cyprus Main Event, where the dreams of many will clash in the pursuit of glory.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow this thrilling tournament on PokerNews—the excitement has only just begun!
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