Excitement Peaks at the PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus: A Recap of the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em Event
As the final high-stakes event of the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus unfolded at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, excitement surged through the air. Players traveled from all corners of the globe to participate in what has become one of the premier poker events of the season. The spotlight was set on the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em tournament, a thrilling showdown of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck.
Day 1 Overview: A Competitive Field
Day 1 saw a notably competitive field of 64 entrants, each vying to outsmart their opponents and secure a coveted place on Day 2. The structure of the tournament leaned towards a fast-paced format, and with only ten swift levels of play completed, 34 players emerged to continue their journey. As registration remains open until the start of Day 2, additional players are expected to enter the fray, increasing the stakes and overall prize pool.
Leading the Pack: Farid Jattin Shines
As the day closed, Colombian poker phenom Farid Jattin claimed the overall chip lead with a formidable stack of 477,000. Known for his aggressive playstyle and strategic prowess, Jattin has positioned himself as a dominant force in this tournament. Close on his heels, former EPT champion Adrian Mateos from Spain, boasting a robust stack of 425,000, is well-positioned to make a significant run, proving that he remains a top contender in the world of poker.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farid Jattin | Colombia | 477,000 | 95 |
| 2 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | 425,000 | 85 |
| 3 | Nikita Kuznetsov | Russia | 406,000 | 81 |
| 4 | Mikalai Vaskaboinikau | Belarus | 364,000 | 73 |
| 5 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | 360,000 | 72 |
| 6 | Marius Kudzmanas | Lithuania | 286,000 | 57 |
| 7 | Simone Andrian | Italy | 286,000 | 57 |
| 8 | Gregoire Auzoux | France | 254,000 | 51 |
| 9 | Aren Bezhanyan | Armenia | 254,000 | 51 |
| 10 | Peng Chen | China | 250,000 | 50 |
Among the players to watch is Mikalai Vaskaboinikau, sitting comfortably in the top ten with 364,000 chips. Vaskaboinikau is basking in a successful run at this series, having already clinched the $50,000 Super High Roller title for an impressive $601,397.
The Drama of Rebuy Madness
As the action unfolded, the tournament brought with it an intense atmosphere filled with remarkable plays. A total of 14 re-entries were recorded throughout the day, adding another layer of excitement. Among the most daring players were Hassan Nashar and Vladimir Korzinin, each taking shots at the tournament with four re-buys apiece.
In a dramatic turn of events, Nashar confronted Felipe Fontoura Ketzer in a notable pot, where he pushed his luck with a king-six offsuit against Ketzer’s dominating king-jack suited. Nashar’s risk paid off when his flush earned him an early double up—a testament to the risks and rewards that define high-stakes poker.
Conversely, Korzinin faced an unfortunate fate in a high-stakes duel against Ren Lin. Their clash resulted in Lin catching the nut straight on the flop, sending Korzinin packing yet again. Nevertheless, persistence paid off, and both players managed to secure stacks of 249,000 and 90,000, respectively, by the end of the session.
What’s Next for the Remaining Players?
The action will resume on Sunday, October 20th, at noon local time, with the remaining players gearing up for Level 11. The blinds will be set at 2,000/5,000 with a 5,000 big blind ante. Throughout the day, players will battle it out to secure dominance, with breaks—including a dinner break—scheduled at the discretion of the tournament floor.
The PokerNews live reporting team will be back to provide real-time updates and insights into the unfolding drama of the $10,200 No Limit Hold’em event. With several elite players still in contention, poker enthusiasts can expect an electrifying continuation of this prestigious tournament.
Stay tuned for further updates as the excitement at the PokerStars EPT Cyprus continues to unfold!
