Thrilling Action Unfolds at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event
The energy is palpable as the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus $5,300 Main Event continues to thrill poker enthusiasts around the globe. Day 4 of this spectacular tournament saw the exciting drama unfold at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, where the field of 1,284 entries has been whittled down to just 16 remaining players.
Georgios Tsouloftas Leads the Charge
Leading the remaining pack is the local hero, Georgios Tsouloftas, who bagged an impressive 7,970,000 chips—equating to a staggering 159 big blinds when play resumes. A prominent figure in the Cypriot poker scene, Tsouloftas sits fourth on the country’s all-time money list, boasting over a million dollars in live tournament earnings. Interestingly, despite his successes in various competitions within Cyprus, Tsouloftas had not previously made a deep run in an EPT event until now, making his current standing all the more remarkable.
The Contenders
Following Tsouloftas, Oliver Weis from Germany sits at a distance with a stack of 4,540,000 chips. Weis, who has approximately $2 million in live tournament earnings, made his mark with a significant triumph at the €10,300 High Roller in EPT Paris earlier this year. Meanwhile, Andriy Lyubovetskiy, the Ukrainian player with just under $2.5 million in earnings, represents the strong competition, occupying the third position with 3,970,000 chips.
Here’s a glance at the complete top ten chip counts at the end of Day 4:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 7,970,000 | 159 |
| 2 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 4,540,000 | 91 |
| 3 | Andriy Lyubovetskiy | Ukraine | 3,970,000 | 79 |
| 4 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 3,160,000 | 63 |
| 5 | Mikhail Shalamov | Russian Federation | 2,600,000 | 52 |
| 6 | Andrea Dato | Italy | 2,575,000 | 52 |
| 7 | Eleftherios Sinnos | Cyprus | 2,295,000 | 46 |
| 8 | Marta Miquel Munoz | Spain | 2,235,000 | 45 |
| 9 | Philip Joyce | United Kingdom | 1,650,000 | 33 |
| 10 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 1,555,000 | 31 |
Among the other notable players still in contention are last year’s runner-up, Andrea Dato; Tsouloftas’ fellow Cypriot Eleftherios Sinnos; and the last woman standing, Marta Miquel Munoz.
Day 4 Action: A Roller Coaster of Eliminations
The day commenced with 45 returning hopefuls, but the action intensified quickly, leading to a drastic reduction in numbers. The first level saw major casualties, including Diogo Coelho and Victoria Livschitz, both earning $18,240 for their efforts.
Other eliminations throughout the day included Taago Tamm at 37th place and Fahredin Mustafov, who was a significant player throughout the earlier stages of the tournament. Mustafov fell in 32nd place, further illustrating the fierce competition.
Tsouloftas demonstrated remarkable skill during Day 4, consistently chipping up and eliminating formidable opponents such as Artsiom Lasouski and Lander Lijo, showcasing his dominant table presence.
Remaining Challenges and Payout Structure
As the tournament moves into Day 5, the remaining players have already secured a minimum payout of $42,280, with escalating prizes awaiting those who progress further. The stakes are high, as the first-place prize is a considerable $1,030,000 from a total prize pool of $6,227,400. Players will be highly motivated to elevate their positions, as each subsequent level’s escalating blinds will challenge their strategies and endurance.
Conclusion: Anticipation for Day 5
The remaining 16 players will reconvene for Day 5, where the tension will be palpable as they aim for a coveted final table position. The tournament resumes at noon local time, with all eyes on the chip leader Georgios Tsouloftas and the contenders eager to knock him down a peg.
Be sure to follow PokerNews for live coverage of the action and to see who among these talented players will emerge victorious in the 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event!
