$25,000 Second Chance: Day 1 Recap from the European Poker Tour Cyprus
The stakes were high and the atmosphere electric as Day 1 of the $25,000 Second Chance event kicked off at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. This highly anticipated tournament marks the final high-stakes showdown of the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus. A total of 31 players suited up for battle, with many eager to redeem themselves after earlier eliminations. The action was fast-paced, compacted into just four hours of gameplay, and players continually re-entered. In total, the event attracted 38 entries, and with late registration still open until the start of Day 2, this number is expected to rise.
Leading the Pack: Top Chip Counts
By the end of the day, Albert Daher emerged as the dominant force, bagging an impressive 885,000 chips to secure the chip lead among the remaining 25 players. Close in pursuit was Elias Gutierrez, a familiar name on the circuit and a recent champion of the $25,000 SHR Warm Up event, who ended the day with 808,000 chips. Rounding out the top three was Hassan Nashar, who made a spectacular comeback with 805,000 chips after a bumpy start that required three re-entries.
Daher is no stranger to high-stakes poker—he’s a seasoned player with multiple high roller titles under his belt. His most recent triumph came in Cyprus last year when he clinched victory against Mikita Badziakouski for a hefty payout of $264,690.
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 |
Highlights from the Day
Despite the short duration, the day was packed with excitement and pivotal moments. One standout was Masashi Oya, who began strong from the get-go. He secured an early lead by slow-playing pocket aces against Juan Pardo, who held ace-king on a challenging king-high board. However, Oya chose a more measured approach thereafter, ending the day with an average stack of 356,000 chips.
Another dramatic hand unfolded when Jelle Moene found himself in a tough straight versus straight confrontation against Jérémie Zouari, which catapulted him into an early chip lead. But during the post-break action, Hassan Nashar, known for his flamboyant style, turned the tables. With aggressive and erratic play, he made significant waves—at one point even playing a hand without looking at his cards.
The Ebb and Flow of Play
While Nashar experienced fluctuations in his chip count, Gutierrez capitalized on his wild gameplay; he doubled up against Nashar and later eliminated him from the tournament. Undeterred, Nashar quickly re-entered and regained momentum against Moene, winning a critical flip with pocket tens that sent Moene down the chip leaderboard.
Daher gradually climbed the ranks as well, notably after hitting a five on the river against Simone Andrian’s ace-king, an outcome that provided him with a substantial chip boost.
As Day 1 concluded, several noteworthy players quietly amassed chips, setting the stage for an explosive Day 2. Duco ten Haven finished with 115,000, Leonard Maue with 174,000, Steve O’Dwyer with 200,000, and Recep Aydemir with 244,000.
What Lies Ahead
Day 2 is set to kick off on Thursday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m. local time, resuming action from Level 9, featuring 3,000/6,000 blinds with a 6,000 big-blind ante. Players can expect fifteen-minute breaks after every four levels and a 75-minute dinner break after Level 20.
With more high-profile entrants anticipated to join, the remaining players are gearing up for a fierce battle on the green felt. Stay tuned to PokerNews for exclusive coverage leading up to the crowning of the next high roller champion!
As we reflect on the high-stakes drama of Day 1, it’s clear that the $25,000 Second Chance event will continue to provide thrilling moments in the realm of professional poker. The camaraderie, competition, and unpredictability make every hand matter—a true testament to the spirit of poker.
