Thrilling Action on Day 1 of the $25,000 Second Chance at the EPT Cyprus
The excitement is palpable at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus as the European Poker Tour (EPT) heats up with the final $25,000 event of the series—the Second Chance tournament. Day 1 kicked off to an enthusiastic start, attracting 31 players, with the number expected to rise as late registration remains open until the beginning of Day 2.
A Quick Overview of Day 1
Despite the action only lasting four hours, the atmosphere was electric as players battled it out at the tables. By the end of the session, the entry count grew to 38 after a flurry of busts and reentries. This number could still increase as the first day comes to a close. Among the remaining players at the end of Day 1, Albert Daher emerged as the chip leader with a hefty stack of 885,000 chips, followed closely by PokerStars Team Pro Elias Gutierrez at 808,000 chips, who had just claimed victory in the $25,000 SHR Warm-Up days prior. Hassan Nashar rounded out the day in third place with 805,000 chips after an eventful session filled with aggression and excitement.
Notable Players and Their Standings
1. Albert Daher – Lebanon
- Chips: 885,000
- Daher, a seasoned participant in high-stakes events, demonstrated his experience by bagging up the largest chip count. His remarkable history includes three high roller titles and a victory in last year’s EPT Cyprus high roller, where he defeated well-known player Mikita Badziakouski for a massive $264,690 first-place prize.
2. Elias Gutierrez – Spain
- Chips: 808,000
- Following a significant victory just hours earlier, Gutierrez’s momentum continues as he enters Day 2 not just as a player, but a formidable threat.
3. Hassan Nashar – Senegal
- Chips: 805,000
- A dramatic figure, known for his bold play, Nashar fired three bullets on Day 1, finally settling into the mix and showing the table he means business.
Other notable players in the top ten chip counts included Johannes Straver (624,000), Teun Mulder (616,000), and Vladimir Korzinin (587,000), all of whom will return with stacks that will allow for aggressive strategies on Day 2.
Highlights from the Action
The day began with Masashi Oya making an early splash, slow-playing pocket aces against Juan Pardo’s ace-king, capitalizing on their showdown to build a strong stack early in the game. Oya eventually ended Day 1 with a respectable average stack of 356,000.
Another significant moment featured Jelle Moene, who briefly held the chip lead after a brutal cooler against Jérémie Zouari. However, the dynamic at the table shifted dramatically when Nashar entered aggressively. With unorthodox strategies and sizeable bets, he quickly became a central figure in the action, at one point even playing a hand without glancing at his cards.
This chaotic style of play seemed to benefit Gutierrez, who not only doubled through Nashar but later eliminated him from the tournament. An aggressive Nashar quickly reentered, demonstrating the volatile nature of the day.
As the hours progressed, Daher’s stack surged, particularly after a pivotal hand against Simone Andrian, where he eliminated Andrian with a stroke of luck on the river— his ace-five outdrawing Andrian’s ace-king.
Looking Ahead to Day 2
As the tournament prepares for Day 2 on October 17 at 12:30 p.m. local time, players will resume with blinds at 3,000/6,000 and a 6,000 big blind ante. The competition is intense, and every player is keen to make their mark. The atmosphere is charged as more last-minute entrants are anticipated, heightening the anticipation of what’s to come.
With the stakes high and tensions rising, fans and participants alike should keep an eye on upcoming developments in one of poker’s most prestigious events. Follow along with PokerNews for comprehensive coverage as this thrilling tournament unfolds and the next high roller champion is crowned. The stage is set for a riveting showdown as Day 2 approaches!
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