EPT Cyprus Main Event: Day 3 Highlights and Chip Counts
This week, the poker world buzzed with excitement as players gathered at the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa along the picturesque Mediterranean coast for the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event. As Day 3 concluded, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation as just 45 competitors remained in the hunt for the coveted title of EPT champion.
Bobby James Dominates Day 3
Stealing the spotlight on Day 3 was Bobby James, who claimed the top spot on the leaderboard with an impressive stack of 2,605,000 chips. His ascent to the summit was marked by a series of dramatically pivotal hands. One of the most notable moments came when James orchestrated an incredible comeback against Akin Tuna, where he rivered the nut flush to pocket 1,600,000 from Tuna’s flopped straight and king-high flush. Following that pot, James strengthened his position by collecting aces against Maksim Rogov’s kings, propelling him beyond the 2,000,000 mark.
Close on his heels was Damir Zhugralin, who made a heroic call late in the day for his tournament life. Faced with a critical decision against Fahredin Mustafov, Zhugralin opted to call with a set of sevens, triumphing over Mustafov’s bluff to secure 2,410,000 chips and a second-place finish. Completing the trio with over 2,000,000 chips was Philip Joyce, who maneuvered his way to 2,175,000 after snap-calling Natan Chauskin’s river shove with a full house, followed by shrewdly picking off a bluff from Taago Tamm.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 2,605,000 | 174 |
| 2 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 2,410,000 | 161 |
| 3 | Philip Joyce | United Kingdom | 2,175,000 | 145 |
| 4 | Daniel Jackson | United Kingdom | 1,560,000 | 104 |
| 5 | Lander Lijo | Spain | 1,490,000 | 99 |
| 6 | Roeland Peeks | Netherlands | 1,350,000 | 90 |
| 7 | Adrien Quetelart | France | 1,275,000 | 85 |
| 8 | Artsiom Lasouski | Belarus | 1,240,000 | 83 |
| 9 | Christopher Nguyen | Austria | 1,200,000 | 80 |
| 10 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 1,195,000 | 80 |
In addition to James, Zhugralin, and Joyce, players such as Daniel Jackson (1,560,000), Lander Lijo (1,490,000), and Roeland Peeks (1,350,000) also made appearances in the top ranks.
The Quest for Back-to-Back Success
Among the players still vying for the championship, two are hoping to repeat their previous successes at last year’s inaugural EPT Cyprus. Andrea Dato, who finished second in the 2022 event, and Halil Tasyurek, the fourth-place finisher, are both still alive in the tournament with chip counts of 780,000 and 965,000, respectively. Their paths to the final table echo the remarkable feats of players like Peter Jorgne, who achieved consecutive final table appearances.
Anton Wigg’s Bid for Two-Time Champion Status
In an intriguing twist, Anton Wigg, the 2010 EPT Copenhagen champion, remains the only past EPT champion still in the running, holding 1,195,000 chips. Wigg’s pursuit of becoming a two-time winner adds another layer of excitement to the tournament narrative.
Notable Bustouts on Day 3
The competition was intense as Day 3 commenced with 144 players remaining from an initial field of 1,284 entries. However, the day saw some prominent names fall short, including the talented Adrian Mateos, who was eliminated in 124th place after a straight-over-straight cooler against Daniel Jackson. Team PokerStars Pro Benjamin Spragg also met an untimely exit in 115th place, despite holding a favorable top pair that faltered when the river gifted Chakib Mhiri two pair.
As the tournament progressed, former champions like Sebastian Malec (50th place), Lucien Cohen (49th), and Nicolas Chouity (48th) were sent packing, leaving a concentrated field of skilled players chasing the title.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Final Table
With 45 players remaining, each is guaranteed a payout of $18,240 from the impressive $6,227,400 prize pool. The competition intensifies as players eye a spot at the final table, which promises at least $123,400 for those making the cut. The eventual champion will take home a staggering $1,030,000 alongside the prestigious EPT trophy.
The action resumes tomorrow at noon local time with blinds at 10,000/15,000 and a 15,000 big blind ante, with an average stack worth nearly 60 big blinds. The road to the final table remains treacherous, making for an exhilarating continuation of this elite poker showdown.
Be sure to follow PokerNews for live updates and in-depth coverage as the tournament progresses and the field narrows toward the final table.
