Thrills and Spills: Recap of Day 2 at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, the excitement inside was palpable. The second day of the $5,300 EPT Main Event at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus showcased dramatic eliminations, nail-biting action, and a burgeoning prize pool that ensured all eyes were glued to the felt.
Leaderboard Shakeup
At the close of play, Fahredin Mustafov from Bulgaria topped the chip counts, amassing a staggering stack of 920,000 chips. Just a hair behind him, with 915,000, was Russia’s Ivan Zabiiakin, while Germany’s Oliver Weis secured third place with 715,000. The competitive spirit shone brightly among the top players, leaving fans eagerly anticipating further showdowns in the upcoming days.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 920,000 | 184 |
| 2 | Ivan Zabiiakin | Russia | 915,000 | 183 |
| 3 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 715,000 | 143 |
| 4 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 705,000 | 141 |
| 5 | Shankui Li | China | 693,000 | 139 |
| 6 | Chakib Mhiri | Tunisia | 648,000 | 130 |
| 7 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 620,000 | 124 |
| 8 | Radoslav Stoyanov | Bulgaria | 575,000 | 115 |
| 9 | Boris Kuzmanovic | Croatia | 573,000 | 115 |
| 10 | Mohamad El Rais | Switzerland | 563,000 | 113 |
Day 2 Action Unfolds
The day kicked off with optimism and tension as participants, including big names such as Stephen Song and Ren Lin, settled in for another round of intense competition. With the registration window still open until noon, an additional 55 entries pushed the total to 1,284, thus creating a hefty prize pool of $6,227,400. The eventual champion stands to take home a noteworthy $1,030,000.
The stakes had never been higher. Participants strove to ensure their competitive spirit was met with equally sharp poker skills. Unfortunately, for many, including the 2016 EPT Malta Main Event winner Aliaksei Boika, the day ended without a payout, as he exited just shy of the money bubble.
The Bubble Bursts
With just three eliminations needed before the money bubble burst, tensions rose. Although Antoine Hasbani managed to cling to life through a nail-biting bubble experience, it was Samuel Fournier who fell victim to the painful fate of bubble boy. Engaging in a crucial coin flip, his pocket queens didn’t withstand the pressure of Mihai Niste’s ace-king as the final river card completed Niste’s flush, sealing Fournier’s fate and ensuring that the remaining 191 players secured a slice of the prize pool.
Significant Eliminations
As players continued to jockey for position, the list of notable casualties stretched on. Barny Boatman and Dimitar Danchev were among the first to be eliminated, followed by Kenny Hallaert, Sam Grafton, and Steve O’Dwyer. Even the two-time EPT champion Hossein Ensan found himself out by day’s end. The eliminated champions only served as a reminder of the highly competitive nature of this event.
Rising Stars and Ascending Stacks
As the chips continued to pile up, players demonstrated resilience and strategic prowess. Mustafov’s chip lead swelled after he secured a monumental pot worth nearly 800,000 when he outplayed Ali Al-Kubasi with a full house. With a voracious desire for a potential third EPT title, his ambition heightened the stakes.
Remaining Payouts and Looking Ahead
The competition renews Thursday, October 17, with Day 3 kicking off at noon. The blinds will be at 2,500/5,000 with a 5,000 big blind ante, and the average stack will be around 267,500—an ample 53 big blinds to maneuver through the strategic late-game play. With payouts guaranteed for the top 191 players, every decision will resonate with significance.
Remaining Payouts Breakdown
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,030,000 |
| 2 | $642,300 |
| 3 | $459,000 |
| 4 | $353,100 |
| 5 | $271,400 |
| 6 | $208,720 |
| 7 | $160,500 |
| 8 | $123,400 |
| 9 | $94,940 |
| 10-11 | $73,100 |
| 12-13 | $60,900 |
| 14-15 | $50,760 |
| 16-17 | $42,280 |
| 18-20 | $36,740 |
| 21-23 | $31,940 |
| 24-27 | $27,780 |
| 28-31 | $24,160 |
| 32-39 | $20,980 |
| 40-55 | $18,240 |
| 56-71 | $15,880 |
| 72-95 | $13,820 |
| 96-119 | $12,020 |
| 120-143 | $10,460 |
| 144 | $9,100 |
With the promise of more thrilling poker action ahead, fans and players alike are eager to witness the unfolding drama as the 2024 EPT Cyprus heads into its third day. Tune in with PokerNews for live updates and analysis. Who will emerge victorious, and who will end up as another name on the victim’s list? Only time will tell.
