PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus: High-Stakes Showdown at Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa
The excitement at the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus continues to reach new heights as players flock to the renowned Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa for the latest high-stakes challenge. Among the buzz, the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em event has become the focal point of intense competition, drawing 64 entrants eager to test their skills and luck.
Day 1 Overview: A Battle for Survival
As the first day of this high-stakes tournament unfolded, players navigated through ten rapid-fire levels, each vying for advancement into Day 2. Out of the initial 64 contenders, only 34 have secured their positions for the next stage, with registration remaining open until the start of play tomorrow. This means that we can expect even more seasoned players to join the fray, intensifying the battle for the ultimate trophy.
Chip Counts: Leading the Charge
As the dust settled and the chips were counted, Farid Jattin from Colombia emerged as the chip leader with a formidable stack of 477,000. Hot on his heels is the Spanish powerhouse Adrian Mateos, boasting a stack of 425,000, reinforcing his status as one of the elite talents in the poker world. With players like Jattin and Mateos in the mix, the competition is sure to be fierce as they each aim for the title.
Top Ten Chip Counts:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farid Jattin | Colombia | 477,000 | 95 |
| 2 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | 425,000 | 85 |
| 3 | Nikita Kuznetsov | Russia | 406,000 | 81 |
| 4 | Mikalai Vaskaboinikau | Belarus | 364,000 | 73 |
| 5 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 360,000 | 72 |
| 6 | Marius Kudzmanas | Lithuania | 286,000 | 57 |
| 7 | Simone Andrian | Italy | 286,000 | 57 |
| 8 | Gregoire Auzoux | France | 254,000 | 51 |
| 9 | Aren Bezhanyan | Armenia | 254,000 | 51 |
| 10 | Peng Chen | China | 250,000 | 50 |
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau’s Remarkable Run
Noteworthy among the remaining competitors is Mikalai Vaskaboinikau, who is currently holding a top-ten stack of 364,000. Vaskaboinikau has already made his mark in the series by winning the $50,000 Super High Roller for a staggering $601,397 earlier in the week. It’s evident that he has his sights set firmly on adding more accolades to his impressive poker resume over the coming days.
Rebuy Madness: High Stakes and Bold Moves
Today’s fast-paced tournament highlighted the dynamic nature of poker strategy, characterized by a total of 14 re-entries. Two players, Hassan Nashar and Vladimir Korzinin, showcased their penchant for aggressive play, each firing four bullets in pursuit of success.
Nashar made a splash early in the game with a daring all-in confrontation. With a king-six off-suit, he went up against Felipe Fontoura Ketzer‘s dominating king-jack suited. The dramatic hand saw Nashar turn his fortunes around when the runout improved him to a flush, granting him a much-needed double up.
In contrast, Korzinin faced a tougher battle when he found himself in a massive pot with Ren Lin. Although he held a favorable position pre-flop, a devastating flop saw Lin hit the nut straight, eliminating Korzinin once again. However, both players ultimately found success, with Nashar and Korzinin bagging 249,000 and 90,000 chips, respectively, to carry into the next session.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Play will resume on Sunday, October 20th, at noon local time, with the restart occurring at Level 11, featuring blinds at 2,000/5,000 and a 5,000 big blind ante. The remaining contenders will confront strategic challenges and high-pressure situations as they battle for supremacy, aiming to emerge as the last player standing in this intense competition.
The PokerNews live reporting team is committed to delivering all the action as it unfolds, providing comprehensive coverage of the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em event at EPT Cyprus. Poker enthusiasts and fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to this high-stakes showdown as the tournament progresses.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the heart of the action in Cyprus, where fortunes are made—and lost—in the blink of an eye.
