The European Poker Tour Cyprus Final Table: A Battle for Glory
A week ago, the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus transformed into a battleground for card mavens, as 1,284 players from 70 different countries arrived with one shared ambition: to seize the title of European Poker Tour (EPT) champion. The excitement has reached a fever pitch as six players engage in a high-stakes showdown at the final table of the PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus, where the coveted Golden Shard EPT trophy and a staggering top prize of $1,030,000 await at the conclusion of the day.
The Final Table — The Last Six Standing
As the final table looms on the horizon, it is Oliver Weis from Germany who holds the spotlight. Leading the pack with a staggering chip count of 18,505,000—more than three times greater than his closest competitor—Weis is on the brink of achieving what could be the pinnacle of his illustrious career. He has already made headlines this year with his victory at the EPT Paris High Roller, amassing over $1.7 million in earnings. However, lifting the EPT trophy today would eclipse previous achievements and solidify his stature in the poker community.
Chip Counts at the Final Table:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 18,505,000 | 185 |
| 2 | Mikhail Shalamov | Russia | 6,050,000 | 61 |
| 3 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 5,215,000 | 52 |
| 4 | Andriy Lyubovetskiy | Ukraine | 3,295,000 | 33 |
| 5 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 3,190,000 | 32 |
| 6 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 2,255,000 | 23 |
Challengers in the Arena
Following Weis is a worthy adversary, Mikhail Shalamov. A player known for his prowess on Twitch, Shalamov carries with him the weight of fifteen years in competitive poker. Beginning the final table with a respectable 6,050,000 in chips, he seeks to transform years of experience into his first EPT title. Shalamov first made waves in the poker scene by clinching a world record for the most hands played in a single day and has consistently demonstrated his skill in games since then.
Bobby James hails from the United Kingdom and will enter the final with a tally of 5,215,000 chips. His journey to this point has not been smooth; he was once chip leader before falling to a short stack during Day 4. Nevertheless, James’s resilience has earned him a spot at the final table, where he hopes to further increase his career winnings, having already celebrated a victory in the $1,000 8-Game event earlier in the series.
Andriy Lyubovetskiy represents Ukraine at the final table, a seasoned professional with a well-decorated resume that includes multiple WCOOP and SCOOP titles along with two WSOP bracelets. Starting with 3,295,000 chips, he stands ready to capture his first EPT victory, adding yet another illustrious accolade to his list of achievements.
The legendary Anton Wigg from Sweden embodies a blend of experience and aspiration. Wigg was a mere 23 years old when he won the EPT Copenhagen Main Event in 2010. Now, at 37, he is aiming to join the elite ranks of players with multiple EPT titles. He starts at the final table in fifth place with 3,190,000 in chips.
Finally, the only local competitor, Georgios Tsouloftas, rounds out the final table. With a history of cashes in Merit Poker events and a previous victory of over $260,000, Tsouloftas will enter the fray with 2,255,000 chips. His recent performances include a fourth-place finish in the Irish Open and a third-place standing at a WSOP Europe event, showcasing his hunger for continued success.
The Payout Structure
As the tension builds around the final table, players are guaranteed rewards based on their finishing placements. Below is a rundown of potential payouts for the final six players:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,030,000 | ||
| 2 | $642,300 | ||
| 3 | $459,000 | ||
| 4 | $353,100 | ||
| 5 | $271,400 | ||
| 6 | $208,720 |
Game On!
The action is set to commence with 69 minutes and 54 seconds remaining in Level 29, where blinds are currently at 50,000-100,000 with a 100,000 big blind ante. Every player is secure with a minimum payout of $208,720, but the eyes of the remaining six are firmly fixed on the grand prize and the glory that comes with it.
Poker enthusiasts can catch all the tension and excitement from the final table streamed live on PokerStars’ official YouTube and Twitch channels, with updates rolling in on a 30-minute delay starting at 1 p.m.
Although six remain in pursuit of the title, only one player will emerge victorious as the next EPT champion. Stay tuned, as PokerNews will keep you informed with live updates throughout this electrifying contest.
In the world of competitive poker, where every hand could be a turning point, today promises to be a riveting ride for players and spectators alike.
