Thrilling Start to the $25,000 Second Chance at EPT Cyprus 2024
The European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus 2024 has officially reached a thrilling checkpoint with the commencement of the $25,000 Second Chance event. Hosted at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, this high-stakes tournament has already attracted considerable attention, underscoring the vibrant poker scene in Cyprus.
Day 1 Highlights: Quick Action and Big Moves
On the first day of this high-profile event, 31 players eagerly took their seats. Despite the four-hour duration of the initial action, the pace was intense, and the competition fierce, culminating in a total of 38 entries after several players reentered the fray following early eliminations. With late registration remaining open until Day 2, expectations are high for even more participants as the action unfolds.
By the end of the day, Albert Daher emerged as the commanding chip leader, bagging up an impressive 885,000 chips. Daher, a seasoned veteran in EPT High Roller events with a notable record including three previous victories, showcased his prowess on the felt. Close on his heels, Elias Gutierrez, a PokerStars Team Pro and recent winner of the $25,000 SHR Warm-Up, ended with 808,000 chips. Rounding out the top three was Hassan Nashar, who fought back from an early rough patch to finish the day with 805,000 chips after employing an aggressive strategy that kept table dynamics lively.
The Race to Day 2: Top Chip Counts
The end of Day 1 leaves us with an intriguing leader board. Here are the top ten chip counts:
| Rank | Name | Country | Chips | Day 2 Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albert Daher | Lebanon | 885,000 | 148 |
| 2 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | 808,000 | 135 |
| 3 | Hassan Nashar | Senegal | 805,000 | 134 |
| 4 | Johannes Straver | Netherlands | 624,000 | 104 |
| 5 | Teun Mulder | Netherlands | 616,000 | 103 |
| 6 | Vladimir Korzinin | Estonia | 587,000 | 98 |
| 7 | Kayhan Mokri | Norway | 541,000 | 90 |
| 8 | Danilo Velasevic | Croatia | 500,000 | 83 |
| 9 | Aleksejs Ponakovs | Latvia | 454,000 | 76 |
| 10 | Vicente Delgado | Spain | 430,000 | 72 |
Strategic Plays That Mattered
The first hand of Day 1 set off an explosive start as Masashi Oya swiftly took an early lead with a masterful slow play of pocket aces against Juan Pardo, who had ace-king on a king-high board. Oya would keep a low profile for much of the day, finishing with a stack of 356,000.
Another pivotal moment came from Jelle Moene, who began building his stack up the leaderboard through a significant confrontation against Jérémie Zouari, ultimately losing ground as other players made bold moves.
Nashar’s arrival into the scene stirred the pot further as he adopted an aggressive, unpredictable playstyle. Not only did he win significant pots, but he also made headlines by executing plays without even looking at his cards, illustrating his comfort and strategic flair at the table.
As Day 1 progressed, Daher began to make his ascent after a critical hand against Simone Andrian, where a river five earned him a substantial pot and effectively put him on the fast track to the chip lead.
Looking Ahead: Day 2 Awaits
With the second day on the horizon, players are eagerly anticipating the action that lies ahead. The tournament resumes at 12:30 PM local time on Thursday, October 17. The stakes will be high as the field will start on Level 9, featuring 3,000/6,000 blinds alongside a 6,000 big-blind ante. Fifteen-minute breaks will be scheduled after every four levels, alongside a much-anticipated dinner break post-Level 20.
As expectations mount for more last-minute entries, the allure of high-stakes poker promises engaging action on the felt. Stay tuned as PokerNews covers the unfolding developments, leading us closer to discovering the next high roller champion!
With the distinct blend of skill, strategy, and luck, the $25,000 Second Chance at EPT Cyprus is sure to be one for the books.
