Excitement Builds as Day 2 of the $1,100 Eureka Main Event Commences at the 2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus
After an exhilarating start featuring six flights, poker fever is heating up in Northern Cyprus. The $1,100 Eureka Main Event at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus has seen an impressive turnout of 2,803 entrants, which has now narrowed down to 418 players taking their seats on Day 2. With a record prize pool of $2,662,850, this year’s tournament has exceeded the financial expectations set by its 2023 counterpart.
A Return to Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa
The competitive atmosphere returns to the stunning venue of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa today, October 12, at noon local time. All remaining players are now “in the money,” with hopes high as they embark on the challenge of navigating through eight 60-minute levels required to advance to Day 3. As the cards will soon hit the felt, strategy and nerves will be tested, and only the best will survive the grueling competition.
Leaders of the Pack
Topping the chip counts is Romanian player Marian Virlanuta, who bagged an impressive 1,156,000 chips during Day 1c. Closely following him is the United Kingdom’s Mark Steven Smith with a substantial stack of 1,050,000 chips, the only other competitor to break the million mark. Finishing third is Bulgaria’s Atanas Pavlov, who holds 972,000 chips, rounding out a thrilling top three.
Virlanuta, aiming for a personal best, has accumulated close to $150,000 in lifetime cashes, with his largest score being $27,185 for a 15th-place finish at the EPT Barcelona High Roller in 2018. Smith, on the other hand, is on the hunt for his first-ever EPT cash, and if luck is on his side, this could be a breakthrough moment. Meanwhile, the experienced Pavlov, boasting over $1.5 million in cashes and sitting at 16th place on Bulgaria’s all-time money list, is also waiting to improve upon his previous best EPT score of $56,724 after finishing third in the EPT Barcelona Deep Stack in 2022.
Day 2 Top Chip Counts
The opening moments of Day 2 will see the following top ten chip counts as players aim for control and dominance:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marian Virlanuta | Romania | 1,156,000 | 231 |
| 2 | Mark Steven Smith | United Kingdom | 1,050,000 | 210 |
| 3 | Atanas Pavlov | Bulgaria | 972,000 | 194 |
| 4 | Roman Korenev | Russia | 692,000 | 138 |
| 5 | Recep Aydemir | Turkey | 629,000 | 125 |
| 6 | Omer Cubukcu | Turkey | 607,000 | 121 |
| 7 | Sergei Bortsov | Russia | 598,000 | 119 |
| 8 | Azizjon Rakhimov | Uzbekistan | 589,000 | 117 |
| 9 | Murat Taysi | Turkey | 583,000 | 116 |
| 10 | Tian Hao Zheng | China | 583,000 | 116 |
Stars at Play
The roster of players includes not only emerging stars but also seasoned professionals and PokerStars Ambassadors. Among them, we find Georgina James (156,000), Sebastian Huber (155,000), and reigning EPT Paris Main Event champion Barny Boatman (100,000). Other noteworthy names still in contention include Tom Vogelsang (418,000) and Michael Wang (355,000), adding further excitement and anticipation to the unfolding drama of the tournament.
The Challenge Ahead
As Day 2 unfolds, players will resume with 12 minutes left in Level 16, facing blinds of 2,000/5,000 with a 5,000 big blind ante. The challenge will intensify as levels increase to 60 minutes, allowing for deeper strategy and play.
Payouts will be crystalized as the day unfolds, and the stakes will only get higher. Poker enthusiasts should brace themselves for a day packed with thrilling moments, unexpected turns, and intricate gameplay at the 2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus. Stay tuned for live updates, as today promises to be an eventful continuation of this prestigious tournament.
In the world of poker, every hand counts, and each player has their eyes set on the coveted prize. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will fall? Only time—and the turn of the cards—will tell.
