EPT Cyprus: The Final Table Awaits
The lights have dimmed, the cards have been shuffled, and the tension in the air is palpable as the stage is set for the finale of what has been an exhilarating week at the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus. After battling through grueling levels of play, a mere six players remain from the original field of 1,284 entrants in the highly anticipated $5,300 Main Event. Tomorrow, these finalists will reconvene at the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Spa, where they’ll compete for the coveted title of EPT Main Event Champion and a staggering first-place prize of $1,030,000.
A Dramatic Path to the Final Table
The journey to the final table unfolded dramatically over the course of the tournament. After three intense levels, a clear frontrunner emerged: Oliver Weis. The German player showcased brilliance and skill to amass a phenomenal stack of 18,505,000 chips, which is more than three times that of his closest competitor, Mikhail Shalamov, who finished with 6,050,000 chips.
Weis’s deep run marks a notable chapter in what has already been a breakout year for him. Earlier in 2024, he secured victory in a Jeju event worth $274,313, followed by a career-defining win at the €10,300 High Roller in EPT Paris, where he took home $1,050,978. As he approaches the final day of play, he holds onto his belief that he could cap off this stellar year with yet another victory. "I’m feeling pretty good. It would be amazing to cap the year off with another win," said Weis confidently, highlighting the importance of this moment in his burgeoning career.
The Final Table Composition
The excitement is reaching a crescendo, and here’s a look at the final table participants and their chip counts:
| Seat | Name | Country | Chips | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikhail Shalamov | Russia | 6,050,000 | 61 |
| 2 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 5,215,000 | 52 |
| 3 | Oliver Weis | Germany | 18,505,000 | 185 |
| 4 | Georgios Tsouloftas | Cyprus | 2,255,000 | 23 |
| 5 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 3,190,000 | 32 |
| 6 | Andriy Lyubovetskiy | Ukraine | 3,295,000 | 33 |
As the players take their seats, the blend of nationalities brings a rich diversity to the table, embodying the very essence of the EPT.
Remarkable Day 5 Action
Day 5 offered a dramatic spectacle for all poker enthusiasts. With 16 players returning, aggressive moves were the order of the day. The first elimination came quickly when Boris Tabiyev, the shortest stack, pushed all-in with a king-seven and ultimately lost out to Philip Joyce with a flush on the river. Tabiyev’s departure marked the start of a frenetic day.
Following Tabiyev, Marta Miquel Munoz also exited the tournament, unable to overcome Bobby James‘s pocket kings with her ace-queen. The ongoing drought of women securing EPT Main Event titles remained intact.
The action remained unabated, with Eleftherios Sinnos and Halil Tasyurek being eliminated shortly afterwards, while intricate chip dynamics continued to evolve among the remaining contenders. Notably, Oliver Weis turned on the heat following a successful bluff against Georgios Tsouloftas, further solidifying his place as the day’s dominant player.
The narrative took a turn of fate when Andrea Dato, who had been cruising along as a chip leader, suffered a significant setback as his pocket aces were cracked by Shalamov’s pocket sevens.
The Road Ahead: Final Table Payouts
As the final six prepare to battle it out for the championship, the stakes are higher than ever. Here’s a breakdown of what each player stands to win:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,030,000 | ||
| 2 | $642,300 | ||
| 3 | $459,000 | ||
| 4 | $353,100 | ||
| 5 | $271,400 | ||
| 6 | $208,720 |
With only five eliminations separating them from achieving these significant payouts, the remaining contenders will bring all their skills and strategies to the table when play resumes on Sunday, October 20.
The Final Countdown
The final table resumes at 12:30 p.m. local time, with one hour of play left in Level 29, where the blinds are 50,000/100,000 with a 100,000 big blind ante. Each player’s heart will race as they look to carve their name into poker history, inching closer to one of the most revered trophies in the game.
Stay tuned as PokerNews continues to deliver live coverage until the last hand is dealt and the next EPT Main Event Champion is crowned. The excitement is palpable, and dreams are on the line—let the cards fall where they may!
