Navigating the Shark-Infested Waters: Day 2 of the $50,000 Super High Roller at EPT Cyprus

In the thrilling world of high-stakes poker, the phrase "Some days, you’re the predator; other days, you’re the prey" rings particularly true. This sentiment was undoubtedly on display at Day 2 of the $50,000 Super High Roller event at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus. On this day, Spanish poker prodigy Adrian Mateos showcased his prowess, rebounding spectacularly after a turbulent Day 1. Struggling with one of the shortest stacks at the start, he masterfully navigated through the cutthroat competition, ultimately dominating the chip count and securing his place at the final table.

From the Brink to the Summit

Mateos entered Day 2 still nursing the wounds of Day 1, where he had to fire three bullets to remain in the game, after his chips were swiftly reduced by aggressive opponents. Yet, with the tenacity of a seasoned predator, he began his ascent from the bottom of the food chain. Once the chips were in play, the action ramped up, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

Despite starting with a mere fraction of chips, Mateos quickly turned the tide. He doubled through Vicente Delgado with a set of tens, eliminated Manuel Fritz with a well-timed straight, and nabbed the lead after dispatching Biao Ding with pocket aces. By the end of the night, Mateos had amassed nearly one-third of the total chips in play, positioning himself as a formidable force heading into the finale.

A Star-Studded Final Table Awaits

Mateos will be joined by a notable roster of elite poker players at the final table, including Roman Hrabec, Mikalai Vaskaboinikau, Artur Martirosian, Alexander Zubov, and Jamil Wakil. Each player has fought valiantly through the original 47 entries to reach this point, where the champion will walk away with a staggering $786,570 top prize. With the bubble bursting on the last hand of the night, all finalists are now guaranteed at least $159,600, making the showdown all the more tantalizing.

2024 EPT Cyprus $50,000 Super High Roller Seat Draw

Quads, Set-Over-Set Coolers, and Memorable Moments

Day 2 was not just a showcase of Mateos’s comeback; it also delivered memorable moments that will be talked about for years to come. With eleven additional entries swelling the field, the prize pool ballooned to $2,279,970. The pace of play intensified, and after just four one-hour levels, the field was halved, contributing to the palpable tension of the event.

One of the standout hands involved Hrabec, who catapulted to the top of the leaderboard with quads after a thrilling confrontation with Nikita Kuznetsov. A well-timed cold four-bet into Kuznetsov’s three-bet set the stage for Hrabec’s remarkable turn of luck. With a board that flipflopped expectations, Hrabec turned his multiple outs into a score, while Kuznetsov saw his aces cracked later in the evening.

As play progressed, Mateos’ aggressive style began to shine. The hand that certainly swung the momentum was his clash with Delgado that saw him turn two pair into a winning set. This hand dramatically reshaped chip dynamics at the table as he surged ahead in the counts.

The Build-Up to Day 3: Final Table Strategies and Payouts

The final table promises to be a spectacle, with the tension mounting as these high-caliber players prepare for battle. Action resumes at 12:30 p.m. local time, featuring 41 minutes left in Level 18 (blinds at 25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante). As anticipation builds for the livestreamed event at 1:30 p.m., participants are already assured six-figure paydays as the quest for the coveted title intensifies.

Final Table Payouts

As the players mentally prepare for this pinnacle moment, eyes will be on Mateos to see if he can maintain his lead against the fierce competition. Action awaits, and with PokerNews covering every hand and story, viewers around the world will not want to miss a second of the drama unfolding at EPT Cyprus.