Oliver Weis Dominates European Poker Tour Cyprus Main Event
A Year of Success
German poker pro Oliver Weis has been making headlines in the poker community this year with his stunning performance on the tournament circuit. In a crowning achievement, the 32-year-old recently captured the title at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event, outshining a competitive field of 1,284 players in the $5,300 buy-in tournament. This remarkable victory netted Weis an impressive prize of $1,030,000, further solidifying his status as one of the elite players in the game today.
The year 2024 has marked a significant breakthrough for Weis, who previously celebrated a monumental win at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he earned his first gold bracelet earlier this year. Following that triumph, his victory in Cyprus has added to an already remarkable total, bringing his career earnings to over $5.2 million—with nearly half of that amount accumulated within the past year alone.
In an interview with PokerStars TV’s Joe Stapleton after his win, Weis reflected on his achievements. “I’m very happy. This is a tough grind,” he said, expressing relief and joy after yet another grueling tournament battle.
The Road to Victory in Cyprus
The EPT Cyprus main event attracted a diverse mix of players from around the globe, generating a bustling prize pool of approximately $6,227,400. Only the top 191 finishers could walk away with a slice of this lucrative pie, making the competition fierce. Notable names in the field included two-time bracelet winner Artur Martirosian, renowned EPT champion Nicolas Chouity, and WSOP Online finalist Diogo Coelho, highlighting the caliber of talent present.
As the tournament progressed, Weis faced a uphill challenge when he reached the final heads-up against local player Georgios Tsouloftas, who initially held a commanding chip lead of 29,075,000 compared to Weis’ 9,425,000. However, Weis displayed patience and resilience, gradually reclaiming chips and gaining crucial momentum through pivotal hands, including a significant moment where he called a multi-street bluff from Tsouloftas.
Decisive Heads-Up Play
The heads-up battle between Weis and Tsouloftas was nothing short of exhilarating, showcasing both players’ strategic prowess and skill. Weis managed an impressive comeback, first taking the lead by expertly extracting value with third pair against Tsouloftas’ king-high. As he steadily applied pressure, Tsouloftas was forced to commit his remaining 12 big blinds.
In the climactic final hand, Tsouloftas went all-in holding K♥2♣, while Weis confidently called with Q♥7♥. The board ran out 7♠ 4♦ 3♠ 5♠ 5♥, giving Weis sevens and fives—enough to clinch the victory and take home the grand prize. Meanwhile, for his efforts, Tsouloftas earned $642,300, marking the largest cash of his career.
Strong Performances Throughout the Tournament
The EPT Cyprus event not only showcased Weis’s talents but also highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament itself, with several seasoned players and past champions vying for supremacy. While Martirosian finished in 99th, other esteemed players, such as Nicolas Chouity (48th) and Santhosh Suvarna (21st), performed well but ultimately fell short of making the final table.
Among the final table participants were Timo Kamphues, who finished in 9th place, and Andrea Dato, who had been the runner-up in 2023 but this time settled for 8th place. Their inclusion in the final table underscored the rich talent pool and increasing competitiveness of the EPT circuit.
Final Table Results 2024 EPT Cyprus Main Event
| Result | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oliver Weis | $1,030,000 |
| 2 | Georgios Tsouloftas | $642,300 |
| 3 | Mikhail Shalamov | $459,000 |
| 4 | Andrey Lyubovetskiy | $353,100 |
| 5 | Robert James | $271,400 |
| 6 | Anton Wigg | $208,720 |
| 7 | Anton Kraous | $160,500 |
| 8 | Andrea Dato | $123,400 |
| 9 | Timo Kamphues | $94,940 |
Conclusion
Oliver Weis’s victory in the EPT Cyprus Main Event is a testament to his skill, determination, and expertise in the game of poker. With this triumph, coupled with a breakthrough year that includes his first WSOP gold bracelet, Weis has undoubtedly positioned himself as a leading figure in the poker world. As he continues to make waves on the circuit, the poker community eagerly anticipates what the future holds for this talented German pro.
