The Climax of the 2024 European Poker Tour Cyprus: The Final Table of the Main Event
As the sun sets over the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Spa in Cyprus, the air is thick with anticipation. The final showdown of the 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus is upon us, and only six elite players remain from the original field of 1,284 entrants in the prestigious $5,300 Main Event. Tomorrow promises to be a thrilling culmination of skill, strategy, and nerves as these contenders battle not only for the coveted trophy but also for a jaw-dropping first-place prize of $1,030,000 and the esteemed title of EPT Main Event Champion.
The Journey to the Final Table
The journey to this climactic moment has been anything but smooth. Over the course of five intense levels of play, which lasted more than three hours, the competition has been fierce and unforgiving. Among the six remaining players, Oliver Weis stands out as the dominant force, boasting an impressive stack of 18,505,000 chips—more than three times that of his closest rival, Mikhail Shalamov, who comes in with 6,050,000. Weis’s chip lead is a testament to his prowess, having pulled through a series of critical moments that showcased both skill and psychological acumen.
All eyes are on Weis, who has experienced an exceptional breakout year. Recently, he clinched victory in a Jeju event in South Korea, netting him $274,313, followed by a memorable triumph at the €10,300 High Roller in EPT Paris, where he pocketed $1,050,978. With such accolades, it’s no surprise that he expresses confidence ahead of the final day, hoping to cap off a fantastic year with an EPT Main Event title—something he has yet to achieve.
The Final Table Line-Up
The final table will see a diversity of players from multiple countries, each armed with their own strategy and ambitions. Here’s how the final line-up looks:
| 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 |
With the stakes this high, savvy observers are already speculating on who might leverage their chip stacks into a successful push for victory.
Day 5 Action Recap
Day 5 of the tournament was characterized by a rapid series of eliminations, as players showed a willingness to risk their chips in pursuit of the grand prize. The day began with 16 players, and the pace quickly escalated. Boris Tabiyev, the short stack, made an early move, only to become the first elimination of the day when his king-seven fell to Philip Joyce’s jack-seven, which completed a flush on the river.
The drama continued as the day progressed, with notable exits such as Marta Miquel Munoz. Running ace-queen into Bobby James’s pocket kings, Munoz continued the trend of women struggling for victory in EPT Main Events, a title that has eluded female players for a decade.
The tension heightened as top contenders began perfecting their tournament strategies, particularly the bold plays by players like Eleftherios Sinnos and Halil Tasyurek, who were both eliminated in short succession. It was also on this day that Weis’s exceptional play began to shine through, as he made a bold bluff against then chip leader Tsouloftas, a key moment that significantly increased his stack.
The Final Table Setup
The final table is set to resume on Sunday, October 20, with 69:54 minutes left in Level 29, placing the blinds at 50,000/100,000 with a 100,000 big-blind ante. As the final six prepare to engage in head-to-head combat for their share of the spoils, the prize breakdown remains an alluring incentive:
- 1st Place: $1,030,000
- 2nd Place: $642,300
- 3rd Place: $459,000
- 4th Place: $353,100
- 5th Place: $271,400
- 6th Place: $208,720
The stakes couldn’t be higher, with just five eliminations separating the remaining players from transforming their dreams into reality. PokerNews is committed to delivering live updates and insights as the action unfolds, keeping fans and followers on the edge of their seats until the final hand is dealt.
Conclusion
The 2024 EPT Cyprus is shaping up to be a historic event, showcasing not just incredible talent but also the emotional rollercoaster that comes with high-stakes poker. As fans gather around their screens and the final table commences, all eyes will be glued to the players, particularly Oliver Weis, who seeks to cap off a banner year with the ultimate prize. The thrill, the tension, and the triumph of poker reach their zenith in Cyprus—a fitting setting for one of the game’s most prestigious battles.
Stay tuned as history is made, and tomorrow, one player will emerge not only with a victory but etched into EPT lore forever.
