Day 2 Recap of the $3,000 Mystery Bounty at the 2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus
An exhilarating second day of the $3,000 Mystery Bounty tournament has unfolded at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, a key event in the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus. As the sun set over the vibrant venue, the field dramatically decreased from 305 hopeful players to just 15 contenders, each eyeing the prestigious title and substantial prize.
From Bubble Burst to Final 15
Day 2 kicked off with excitement and anticipation, but it was not without its own moments of tension. In a nail-biting twist, Lukas Zaskodny and Fabian Schmidt were the unfortunate players to bust on the money bubble, sharing the min-cash payout after a day of intense poker action. With the top 128 players reaching the cash, the stakes heightened, and the tension in the room palpable.
Uladzimir Zhyharau Claims the Chip Lead
As Day 2 progressed, Uladzimir Zhyharau, hailing from Belarus, showcased his skills and strategic acumen. Starting the day as the chip leader, Zhyharau managed to maintain his position and even extend his lead, ultimately wrapping up the day with an impressive stack of 4,920,000 chips. His key moves included doubling his stack with pocket tens against Krum Polihronov, showcasing both courage and tactical brilliance. Later in the night, Zhyharau clinched another significant win when his pocket eights held up favorably against Aren Bezhanyen, solidifying his position as the front-runner.
While Zhyharau’s journey on Day 2 was largely smooth, the competition remains fierce. “It was about as close to perfect as you can get,” Zhyharau reflected, eyeing the potential of securing his biggest-ever cash in live poker.
Close Competitors
Trailing Zhyharau is Ryhor Karapanau from Latvia, who bagged 3,225,000 chips after an eventful day that saw him eliminate several notable players, including Konstantin Voronin and Henok Tekle. Karapanau’s aggressive play style will surely be something to watch in the coming days.
Solid Performances from Other Players
Nicolae Paunescu from Romania is also in the mix, closing the day with 3,020,000 chips, followed by Marius Kudzmanas and Matthias Lipp, who are respectively positioned fourth and fifth. Notably, Lipp has had success in the Mystery Bounty format before and will be looking to leverage that experience.
The Bounty Madness Unfolds
The Mystery Bounty format adds an exciting twist to traditional tournament play, and Day 2 was testament to that. With players clambering for bounties, the real thrill began when bounty tokens were introduced. As the tournament progressed into Level 15, three grand prizes of $75,000 were announced, alongside several lesser prizes.
The suspense peaked when Alik Zazian became the first player to draw a $75,000 prize from the bounty chest during the bubble phase. Although Zazian eventually finished 116th for a payout of $3,400, the thrill of the bounty win remains a highlight of his tournament experience.
Lipp’s Legendary Luck
Just as players broke for dinner, the action surged again when Matthias Lipp entered the bounty chest to draw not one but two top-tier $75,000 prizes amidst cheers from his corner. Along with other smaller bounties he had previously accumulated, Lipp’s haul underscored his strong position in the tournament.
The $40,000 second-tier prizes went to Stefan Uebber and Alessandro Pichierri, with a host of others claiming varying amounts, ensuring that excitement continues as Day 3 approaches.
Remaining Payouts and What Lies Ahead
With the majority of the significant bounty prizes already claimed, the structure of the tournament shifts as the focus will now transition more towards traditional payout structures. Two-thirds of the prize pool, amounting to $1,509,072, have already been allocated, leaving substantial amounts at play for the upcoming final table.
Here’s a quick glance at the remaining payouts:
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $265,972 | 8 | $31,990 |
| 2 | $166,330 | 9 | $24,610 |
| 3 | $118,810 | 10-11 | $19,800 |
| 4 | $91,390 | 12-13 | $16,490 |
| 5 | $70,310 | 14-15 | $13,750 |
| 6 | $54,090 | 16 | $11,950 |
| 7 | $41,590 |
As Day 3 approaches, the final fifteen players will return with blinds at 25,000/50,000 and a 50,000 big blind ante. With many competitors starting with over 30 big blinds, the pushes and folds are sure to ramp up, with players hungry for both the title and the substantial payouts waiting for them.
Conclusion
As we gear up for the thrilling conclusion of the $3,000 Mystery Bounty, all eyes will be on the players who have proven themselves thus far. Who will rise to the occasion and walk away a champion? Follow PokerNews for live updates from the event as final-table action unfolds. The anticipation is palpable, and the stage is set for a compelling showdown in the coming days.
1
20
20
