Exciting Day 1b at the European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event
The tropical paradise of Cyprus played host to another exhilarating day of poker at the prestigious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, as Day 1b of the European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event drew an impressive 755 entrants. With the total number of players now at 1,229, the excitement continues to build with late registration open until the start of Day 2. This event is rapidly becoming one of the highlights of the poker calendar, showcasing not just top-notch talent but also the enchanting backdrop of Cyprus.
A New Chip Leader Emerges
When the final hand was dealt at Day 1b, it was Viktor Ustimov who stole the spotlight as the overall chip leader among the 260 players who advanced. The Russian packed an impressive stack of 379,000 chips, thanks to a strategic play that saw him pick off a bluff in a crucial moment during the last level of the day. Ustimov, with over $2 million in live tournament earnings but still in search of his first EPT title, will begin Day 2 with a significant lead of 30 big blinds over his closest competitor.
End of Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
Here is the list of the top ten chip counts from Day 1b:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Day 2 Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viktor Ustimov | Russia | 379,000 | 253 |
| 2 | Salvatore Camarda | Italy | 325,000 | 217 |
| 3 | Ali Al-Kubasi | Iraq | 301,000 | 201 |
| 4 | Darius Gadeikis | Lithuania | 266,000 | 177 |
| 5 | James Crawley | United Kingdom | 261,000 | 174 |
| 6 | Radoslav Stoyanov | Bulgaria | 250,000 | 167 |
| 7 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 235,000 | 157 |
| 8 | Aliaksei Boika | Belarus | 220,000 | 147 |
| 9 | Yassin Mahmoud | Jordan | 220,000 | 147 |
| 10 | Chakib Mhiri | Tunisia | 208,000 | 139 |
Day 1b Action: Big Hands and Bigger Moments
The action at Day 1b kicked off with fireworks as players wasted no time showcasing their skills. Philippe Souki dazzled the tables by making a stunning straight flush early in the day, while local favorite Panagiotis Oikonomidis turned in an incredible performance with a set of quads. Both players were able to capitalize on their good fortune; Souki ended with a solid stack of 87,000 chips, and Oikonomidis bagged a striking 191,000.
The intensity escalated as Tomas Vaskunas took center stage in a dramatic multi-way all-in that involved kings versus queens, jacks, and tens. Holding the cowboys, Vaskunas emerged victorious from the fray, propelling his stack to 189,000, a crucial increase as players vied for their place in Day 2.
Notable Players Progressing to Day 2
Amidst a lineup of strong competitors, several notable players managed to secure their seats for the next round, including:
- Sebastian Malec with 85,000
- Artur Martirosian with 95,000
- Michael Wang with 103,000
- Lucien Cohen with 138,000
- Andras Nemeth with 163,500
- Anton Wigg, entering Day 2 among the leaders with 235,000 chips, eager to capture a second EPT Main Event title.
The Fall of the Defending Champion
The defending champion, Gilles Simon, faced a tough day on the felt. Despite entering as a seasoned pro, he struggled to gain momentum and found himself nursing a short stack. Ultimately, he committed his chips with pocket tens, which initiated a three-way all-in. Simon was a favorite to triple up, but his tournament run came to a premature end when Chase Wilson paired his queen to thwart Simon’s desperate bid for survival.
Conclusion and What’s Next
As Day 2 approaches, anticipation continues to mount at the European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event. With play resuming on October 16 at 12 p.m. local time, players will return to the felt for Level 11, featuring blinds of 1,000/1,500 and a 1,500 big-blind ante. Levels are set to be extended from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, providing ample opportunity for strategies to unfold. Late registration remains open, ensuring that even last-minute competitors can still enter the fray.
With much excitement still on the horizon, poker enthusiasts and participants alike should stay tuned for ongoing coverage from PokerNews. The EPT Cyprus Main Event is just getting warmed up, and with the skill level in the room, the next few days promise to deliver gripping poker action and unforgettable moments!
