Day 2 of the $10,300 EPT High Roller: An Exciting Race at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus
The stakes have never been higher as Day 2 of the highly anticipated $10,300 EPT High Roller unfolded at the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in Cyprus. With a starting field of 215 entries, the day witnessed a flurry of action, thrilling plays, and some surprising eliminations that brought the strong lineup down to just 24 contenders for the final day.
Leaderboard Highlights
When the dust settled at the end of Day 2, the accomplished Steve O’Dwyer stood proudly at the top, boasting a formidable chip stack of 2,235,000. Known for his strategic prowess and calm demeanor, O’Dwyer is a seasoned player hoping to claim his remarkable eighth EPT trophy, which would solidify his legendary status in the poker realm. Following closely behind him is Diogo Coelho of Portugal, who ended the day with 1,995,000 chips, steadily building on his momentum throughout the session. Completing the top three is Shankui Li from China, who closed Day 2 with 1,725,000 chips, having gained traction late in the day with a key hand against Aliaksandr Shylko.
O’Dwyer’s performance on Day 2 exemplified the expert skill that has earned him over $44 million in recorded cashes, placing him 13th on the all-time money list. Meanwhile, Coelho’s performance is backed by a comparatively smaller but impressive total of almost $2.3 million in career earnings, which includes a recent victory at the $2,200 Eureka High Roller event where he walked away with a handsome $350,000.
The Action of the Day
Day 2 kicked off with a total of 215 entries, boosted by 51 late registrants, creating a mesmerizing prize pool of $4,423,200 with 63 cash positions available. The minimum payout stood at $18,300, while the last player standing in the event would pocket a staggering $865,700.
As play progressed, the atmosphere intensified, with early eliminations coming swiftly. Players like Sonny Franco, Dimitar Danchev, Artur Martirosian, and PokerStars Ambassador Parker Talbot found themselves exiting before the first break—a testament to the ruthless nature of this elite field.
Among the leaders as the action unfolded were Day 1 chip leaders Parahat Nurmuhammedov and Ray Qartomy. However, they faced increasing pressure as players like Jessica Teusl and Niklas Astedt surged up the counts. Teusl, in particular, demonstrated a series of strong plays, propelling her toward the top of the leaderboard.
A noteworthy hand saw Astedt navigate through challenging spots, including a crucial cooler with Aleksejs Ponakovs that nearly saw his stack diminish, only for him to recover later and make a crucial bet that forced an opponent to fold.
As the bubble formed, tensions rose. The unfortunate Stephen Song, EPT Barcelona Main Event champion, was the last to leave empty-handed, eliminated when his pocket kings were cracked.
Final Day Contenders
The remaining players will return on October 20 at noon local time, ready to face off for the prestigious EPT trophy. The action resumes at Level 23, with blinds at 10,000/25,000 and a 25,000 big blind ante. The suspense of who will take home the coveted prize looms large, with hungry players like Andras Nemeth, Stoyan Madanzhiev, and others still very much in contention.
End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve O’Dwyer | Ireland | 2,235,000 | 89 |
| 2 | Diogo Coelho | Portugal | 1,995,000 | 79 |
| 3 | Shankui Li | China | 1,725,000 | 69 |
| 4 | Andras Nemeth | Hungary | 1,550,000 | 62 |
| 5 | Stoyan Madanzhiev | Bulgaria | 1,370,000 | 54 |
| 6 | Lars Kamphues | Austria | 1,335,000 | 53 |
| 7 | Niklas Astedt | Sweden | 1,200,000 | 48 |
| 8 | Adrian Cazacu | Romania | 1,000,000 | 40 |
| 9 | Jelle Moene | Netherlands | 915,000 | 36 |
| 10 | Sebastian Malec | Poland | 910,000 | 36 |
Looking Ahead
As the players prepare for the final showdown, anticipation swells throughout the poker community. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars in the remaining field, Day 3 promises to deliver high drama and expert-level play.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for ongoing coverage as we witness the thrilling conclusion of the EPT High Roller in Cyprus, where fortunes will be made, and legends may be born. Who will seize the moment and claim the title? All eyes will be watching!
