An Exciting Kickoff: Day 1 of the $25,000 Second Chance Event at EPT Cyprus
As the sun set over the picturesque shores of Cyprus, the atmosphere within the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa was electric, with excitement reaching new heights. Day 1 of the highly anticipated $25,000 Second Chance Event of the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus unfolded, drawing in a mix of elite players eager for one last shot at glory. With a total of 31 original players taking their seats, the stage was set for a thrilling evening filled with strategic play and high stakes.
A Brief Overview of the Day
In just over four hours of play, the poker landscape shifted dramatically as players moved in and out of the action. By the day’s end, 38 entries were recorded, an impressive figure that is expected to climb as the late registration continues until the start of Day 2. The atmosphere inside the casino buzzed with chatter, strategy discussions, and the sound of chips being shuffled, reflecting the high-energy environment synonymous with high-stakes poker.
Chip Leaders: Who’s on Top?
When the final hand was dealt, it was Albert Daher who emerged as the dominant force at the end of the day, captivating the attention of spectators and competitors alike. Daher bagged up 885,000 chips, placing him firmly atop the leaderboard. Close behind was Elias Gutierrez, a member of the PokerStars Team Pro and recent champion of the $25,000 SHR Warm Up, who managed to secure 808,000 chips. Rounding out the top three was Hassan Nashar, who demonstrated impressive resilience by reentering the event and accumulating 805,000 chips despite a rocky start involving three buy-ins.
Daher, a seasoned player known for his prowess in EPT High Roller events—which he has claimed victory in three times—hopes to harness his experience in the coming rounds. His most recent triumph came in Cyprus last year, with a notable win against Mikita Badziakouski for a hefty $264,690 prize.
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 |
Key Moments From the Action
From the moment cards were dealt, the action was intense. Masashi Oya quickly made headlines by leveraging a strong hand early on when he expertly slow-played aces against Juan Pardo‘s ace-king. While he took a commanding lead initially, Oya maintained a more conservative approach for the rest of the session, finishing with a solid stack of 356,000.
In a fascinating twist, Jelle Moene surged into the lead early on with a notable hand, emerging victorious in a straight-versus-straight showdown against Jérémie Zouari. However, momentum shifted dramatically as Hassan Nashar entered the game post-break, playing an unorthodox, aggressive style that captivated onlookers. His brazen strategy, including playing without looking at his cards on occasion, stirred excitement among fellow competitors.
Gutierrez capitalized on Nashar’s erratic play, not only doubling his stack through him but also eliminating him briefly before Nashar reentered the tournament with renewed vigor.
In another notable hand, Albert Daher bolstered his chip count dramatically by catching a key river card against Simone Andrian, leading to a significant boost in his stack and setting the tone for his day’s success.
Looking Ahead: Day 2
Day 2 is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 17, and will resume at Level 9, featuring blinds of 3,000/6,000 with a 6,000 big-blind ante. Players can expect a series of strategic clashes, with 15-minute breaks after every four levels and a 75-minute dinner break scheduled at Level 20’s close.
As late registration remains open, the anticipation only builds for what is sure to be an action-packed conclusion to the high-stakes affair. With prominent players ready to make their mark on the green felt, poker enthusiasts worldwide will be glued to their screens for ongoing coverage, eagerly awaiting the crowning of the next high roller champion.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the updates and insights as the battles unfold in this fiercely competitive tournament, promising edge-of-the-seat action as players vie for fortune and glory.
