Excitement Builds as Day 2 of the $10,300 EPT High Roller Concludes
Day 2 of the highly anticipated $10,300 EPT High Roller at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus has wrapped up at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. With the starting field of 215 entries dramatically winnowed to just 24 players for the final day, poker enthusiasts have witnessed an electrifying day of high-stakes action, featuring twelve grueling levels of 50 minutes each.
The Leading Contenders
As the dust settled on Day 2, Steve O’Dwyer emerged as the formidable chip leader with a staggering stack of 2,235,000. Known for his exemplary skills and strategic prowess, O’Dwyer is not only eyeing his eighth EPT trophy, but he is also looking to bolster his reputation further—he currently sits at 13th on the worldwide all-time money list with over $44 million in recorded cashes.
Trailing closely behind is Diogo Coelho from Portugal, boasting 1,995,000 in chips. Coelho’s calculated gameplay throughout the day was evident as he skillfully navigated tricky situations, notably achieving a top pair against Michel Molenaar, which propelled him toward the two-million mark. This isn’t Coelho’s first success this week, as he recently clinched a victory in the $2,200 Eureka High Roller worth over $350,000.
Rounding out the top three is Shankui Li from China, who holds 1,725,000 in chips. Li has been on a remarkable run during this tournament, having already secured his largest live cashes in both the Main Event and the Eureka event. Now, he aims for his first six-figure payday, further solidifying his presence in the competitive poker scene.
Diogo Coelho
Competitive Landscape
The field at this year’s EPT High Roller boasts a plethora of talent, making it a battleground for some of the best players in the world. Along with O’Dwyer, Coelho, and Li, other notable names populating the top ten chip counts include Niklas Astedt, Andras Nemeth, and Stoyan Madanzhiev, each capable of turning the tides in this high-stakes tournament.
Day 2: A Rollercoaster of Action
The tournament began with a robust total of 215 entries, thanks to 51 late registrants on Day 2, bringing the total prize pool to an astounding $4,423,200. With 63 places paid, a minimum cash is set at $18,300, while the eventual champion can look forward to a whopping $865,700.
The day was not without drama as players began to exit at a rapid pace. Sonny Franco was the first casualty on Day 2, triggering a series of eliminations that included prominent players such as Dimitar Danchev, Artur Martirosian, and Parker Talbot, who were sent packing before the day’s first break.
Transitioning quickly, early chip leaders including Parahat Nurmuhammedov and Ray Qartomy maintained their positions for a while, but the competitive landscape shifted significantly as players like Jessica Teusl made impressive climbs up the leaderboard. Although Teusl faced stiff competition, her resilience became apparent as she approached the top tier of players.
Astedt and Aleksejs Ponakovs were engaged in a back-and-forth tussle, finding themselves on the right side of significant pots. While they each faced misfortune during their dealings, it was clear that both were not to be underestimated.
The bubble formed after a quick dinner break, and the tension escalated with Stephen Song, the EPT Barcelona Main Event champion, being the unfortunate player to bubble without a return on his investment. As the eliminations progressed, both Roberto Romanello and Ray Qartomy exited with minimum cashes.
Looking Ahead to the Final Day
Players will reconvene on Sunday, October 20, at noon local time, where they will continue their battle at Level 23 with blinds set at 10,000/25,000 and a 25,000 big blind ante. With the stakes at an all-time high and a prestigious trophy on the line, anticipation is building for what promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the event.
As the momentum ramps up, stay tuned to PokerNews for comprehensive coverage and updates on all the high-caliber play at EPT Cyprus. The road to identifying the champion of one of poker’s most prestigious events is fast approaching its thrilling climax.
