Excitement Unfolds at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus: A Day of High Stakes Poker
The stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus has become the gathering ground for the elite of the poker world as the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) makes its highly anticipated stop. On a day that saw a remarkable total of 405 players shuffle their chips into the high-stakes arena of the $10,300 EPT High Roller, the thrilling action kept spectators and participants alike on the edge of their seats.
Day 1 Highlights: A Competitive Field
As the sun began to set over the Mediterranean, just 164 players emerged from the twelve levels of exhilarating poker, ready to compete for a slice of the substantial prize pool. Leading the pack was Parahat Nurmuhammedov, a name less familiar in the elite tournament scene, who shattered expectations with a commanding stack of 524,000. Hot on his heels were Germany’s Berthold Winz with 391,000 and the USA’s Ray Qartomy with 378,000, both veterans with their eyes firmly set on victory.
Nurmmuhammedov’s performance stands out, as he is not only the chip leader but also the only player to breach the half-million mark. With previous earnings just shy of $100,000, this could be the tournament that changes his narrative. He heads into Day 2 with 349 big blinds, a formidable stack that grants him considerable leverage and opportunities to navigate his way through the competition.
End of Day 1 Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parahat Nurmuhammedov | Turkmenistan | 524,000 | 349 |
| 2 | Berthold Winz | Germany | 391,000 | 261 |
| 3 | Ray Qartomy | United States | 378,000 | 252 |
| 4 | Simeon Spasov | Bulgaria | 324,000 | 216 |
| 5 | Umberto Ruggeri | Italy | 314,500 | 210 |
| 6 | Aleksei Gortikov | Russian Federation | 310,500 | 207 |
| 7 | Nichan Khorchidian | Lebanon | 306,000 | 204 |
| 8 | Boris Kuzmanovic | Croatia | 286,000 | 191 |
| 9 | Xiaosheng Zheng | China | 276,000 | 184 |
| 10 | Belarmino De Souza | Brazil | 268,000 | 179 |
Unforgettable Moments and Notable Players
One of the most significant narratives emerging from Day 1 revolves around the veteran Roberto Romanello. With nearly $5 million in live tournament earnings, Romanello’s experience shone brightly as he navigated challenging pots. His previous EPT success, notably winning the EPT Prague Main Event in 2011, establishes him as one of poker’s most formidable competitors. Romanello enters Day 2 with 231,500, positioning him as a player to watch closely.
Among others who have moved on to Day 2 are:
- Jelle Moene – 218,500
- Masashi Oya – 199,000
- Steve O’Dwyer – 198,500
- Tom Middleton – 191,500
- Leo Worthington-Leese – 181,000 (2024 EPT Cyprus Eureka Main Event Champion)
- Stephen Song – 156,000 (current EPT Barcelona Main Event Champion)
These players, along with the chip leaders, set the stage for an exciting coming day of competition; however, not every player was fortunate enough to advance.
Familiar Faces and Tough Luck
The day was also notable for the players who didn’t manage to survive Day 1. High-profile names such as Teun Mulder, Mustapha Kanit, Fintan Hand, and Elias Gutierrez all fell short, with some enduring early exits due to unfortunate encounters – notably Hand running Big Slick into Simon Mattsson’s pocket aces.
With opportunities for a single re-entry in this high-stakes format, many players who busted out are expected to return for another attempt on Day 2, scheduled to commence at 12:30 p.m. local time.
Looking Ahead: Day 2 Action
The anticipation builds as players prepare for Level 11, where blinds will stand at 1,000/1,500 with a 1,500 big blind ante. The tournament’s structure shifts slightly, reducing levels to 50 minutes each. The strategic gameplay will only intensify as the remaining competitors push towards the money and beyond, culminating in what promises to be a spectacular conclusion on the final day.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for ongoing coverage of the $10,300 EPT High Roller and all other thrilling events taking place at the 2024 EPT Cyprus stop. With emerging stories and unexpected turns, poker fans around the globe will undoubtedly keep a close watch as this prestigious tournament unfolds.
