Thrill and Strategy: Day 4 Highlights from the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus $5,300 Main Event
As the curtains rose on Day 4 of the much-anticipated 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus $5,300 Main Event, excitement surged through the iconic Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. With a staggering 1,284 entries vying for a piece of the action, 45 players returned to the felt, eager to navigate their way towards the ultimate prize. By the end of the day, only 16 contenders remained, with Georgios Tsouloftas emerging as the dominant force holding a massive chip lead.
The Star of the Day: Georgios Tsouloftas
Home-town hero Georgios Tsouloftas bagged an astounding 7,970,000 chips, translating to a whopping 159 big blinds when play resumes. Tsouloftas, currently ranked fourth on the Cypriot all-time money list, has already achieved over a million dollars in live tournament earnings—primarily on home soil. However, until now, a deep run in an EPT event had eluded him, with his closest brush being a 26th place finish in the Eureka Main Event just days before.
"It feels amazing to finally make it this far. The support from the local community makes every hand feel electric," Tsouloftas shared after bagging his chips.
Oliver Weis, one of the tournament’s key opponents, follows in second place with 4,540,000 chips. The German player, who has amassed about two million in live earnings—including a victory at the €10,300 High Roller in EPT Paris, is determined to disrupt Tsouloftas’ momentum. Meanwhile, Andriy Lyubovetskiy rounds out the top three with 3,970,000 chips to his name.
End of Day 4 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 7,970,000 | 159 |
| 2 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 4,540,000 | 91 |
| 3 | Andriy Lyubovetskiy | Ukraine | 3,970,000 | 79 |
| 4 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 3,160,000 | 63 |
| 5 | Mikhail Shalamov | Russian Federation | 2,600,000 | 52 |
| 6 | Andrea Dato | Italy | 2,575,000 | 52 |
| 7 | Eleftherios Sinnos | Cyprus | 2,295,000 | 46 |
| 8 | Marta Miquel Munoz | Spain | 2,235,000 | 45 |
| 9 | Philip Joyce | United Kingdom | 1,650,000 | 33 |
| 10 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 1,555,000 | 31 |
A Rollercoaster of Action: Highlights from Day 4
Day 4 commenced with 45 players, but an explosive start saw the number quickly dwindle to 34. Notable early exits included Diogo Coelho and Victoria Livschitz, both of whom took home $18,240 for their efforts. Coelho’s elimination marked the beginning of a tumultuous day, characterized by dramatic flips and unexpected outcomes.
Players were eliminated rapidly, leading to thrilling moments like Halil Tasyurek striving for back-to-back EPT Cyprus final tables after finishing fourth last year. His journey continued as he found himself among the remaining competitors with 1,230,000 chips.
Marta Miquel Munoz emerged as the last female competitor standing, showcasing her prowess at the table by eliminating several players, including Daniel Jackson and Roeland Peeks, in quick succession.
The tension reached a fever pitch as Tsouloftas engaged in a fierce rivalry with Artsiom Lasouski, pushing each other to the limit. Tsouloftas triumphed in this encounter, ultimately eliminating Lasouski and solidifying his chip lead.
The Path Forward
Following the eliminations, the remaining 16 players will reconvene tomorrow for Day 5, with $42,280 already secured for all and an enticing $1,030,000 reserved for the champion. As they prepare for another grueling day, the atmosphere is sure to be electric, with every decision and every hand carrying monumental weight.
With 52 minutes and 52 seconds remaining in Level 26, the stakes are high. Every player knows that the journey is getting closer to the coveted final table. Tune into PokerNews tomorrow for all the live action, strategy, and excitement from the 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event as the field narrows further.
Remaining Payouts
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,030,000 | 9 | $94,940 | |
| 2 | $642,300 | 10-11 | $73,100 | |
| 3 | $459,000 | 12-13 | $60,900 | |
| 4 | $353,100 | 14-15 | $50,760 | |
| 5 | $271,400 | 16 | $42,280 |
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the final stages of this thrilling tournament filled with high stakes, exceptional skill, and unpredictable outcomes!
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