The Countdown to Glory: Six Players Remain in the 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event
As the sun sets over the stunning landscape of Cyprus, the stakes continue to rise for the remaining players in the highly-anticipated 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event. Out of a staggering 1,284 entrants, just six resilient competitors now stand on the precipice of glory, eyeing a lucrative $1,030,000 first-place prize. Tomorrow, they will clash once more at the magnificent Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Spa, all vying for the coveted title of EPT Main Event Champion.
Oliver Weis: The Chip Leader’s Journey
The final day of the tournament promises to be electrifying, particularly with Oliver Weis emerging as the chip leader with an impressive stack of 18,505,000 chips. Weis’ ascent to the top has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing a combination of strategy and sheer skill. His closest competitor, Mikhail Shalamov, trails significantly with 6,050,000 chips, a stark reminder of the formidable advantage Weis holds.
Weis, a German poker player experiencing a breakout year, has already secured a notable victory in Jeju, South Korea, earning $274,313, and triumphing in the €10,300 High Roller event in EPT Paris for a remarkable $1,050,978. With the final table upon him, Weis expressed his determination, stating, “I’m feeling pretty good. It would be amazing to cap the year off with another win. Last year was not so good, so hopefully, I can reach the ultimate goal of winning an EPT Main Event.”
The Final Table Lineup
As we approach the climax of this fierce competition, here is the lineup for the final table, which includes a diverse mix of international talent:
| Seat | Name | Country | Chips | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikhail Shalamov | Russia | 6,050,000 | 61 |
| 2 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 5,215,000 | 52 |
| 3 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 18,505,000 | 185 |
| 4 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 2,255,000 | 23 |
| 5 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 3,190,000 | 32 |
| 6 | Andriy Lyubovetskiy | Ukraine | 3,295,000 | 33 |
Day 5 Action: High Drama and Unexpected Exits
The fifth day of play saw the original group of sixteen players reduce dramatically as aggressive moves came to the fore. Boris Tabiyev, holding the short stack, made an early exit after his king-seven failed against Philip Joyce’s jack-seven, who miraculously turned a flush on the river. This marked the beginning of the end for many, including Marta Miquel Munoz, who also faced an unfortunate elimination when her ace-queen fell to Bobby James’ pocket kings.
As the day progressed, the actions intensified, and notable players like Eleftherios Sinnos and Halil Tasyurek quickly exited the tournament. The poker landscape shifted continuously as players exchanged chips, with Anton Kraous doubling up after a successful play with pocket kings.
Oliver Weis made headlines with a decisive moment during the day, pulling off a significant bluff against Georgios Tsouloftas, which laid the groundwork for his chip-leading position. His rise culminated in the elimination of Damir Zhugralin, who fell victim to a dangerous bluff, setting the stage for the final showdown.
The Road to the Final Six
Entering the final table, Andrea Dato was a player to watch. He formerly tied for second in chips but soon faced adversity as his aces were cracked by Shalamov’s pocket sevens, a fierce blow to his aspirations. The tumult of the final table saw Timo Kamphues first to exit, falling to Weis’ jack-nine.
The drama peaked as Weis continued to dominate, ultimately ousting Dato in eighth place with a classic confrontation of pocket queens against Dato’s pocket jacks. The play intensified as Anton Kraous went from a short stack to a potential threat, but even he could not overcome the rising tide as he fell in seventh place.
Final Table Payouts: The Battle for Coveted Prizes
As the final six prepare for their last confrontation, they will be contending for substantial payouts, reflecting the high stakes involved in this elite tournament:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | – | $1,030,000 |
| 2 | – | – | $642,300 |
| 3 | – | – | $459,000 |
| 4 | – | – | $353,100 |
| 5 | – | – | $271,400 |
| 6 | – | – | $208,720 |
| 7 | Anton Kraous | Bulgaria | $160,000 |
| 8 | Andrea Dato | Italy | $123,400 |
| 9 | Timo Kamphues | Germany | $94,940 |
Looking Ahead: A Thrilling Finale
The chip stacks are set, the players are poised, and only five eliminations stand between one of them and poker immortality. The final table resumes on Sunday, October 20, at 12:30 p.m. local time, where the tension will be palpable as the remaining players engage in a battle of wits, skill, and resilience.
As we prepare for what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event, PokerNews will continue its coverage, bringing fans all the action, drama, and excitement directly from the felt . The paths of these six players intertwine, leading to a showdown that could define a career and etch their names in the annals of poker history.
