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The 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour is in full swing at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Spa, with the $5,300 Main Event currently midway through Day 2.
After late registration closed earlier, the series showstopper recorded 1,284 entries and generated a $6,227,400 prize pool, of which more than $1 million awaits the eventual champion. One player looking to do all it takes to become the next EPT Champion is Peter Tschernigg. The Austrian poker player has just over $30,000 in live earnings and found himself in a horrible spot preflop, with the tournament just a few dozen eliminations away from the money.
Can Tschernigg Fold Kings Preflop?
During Level 13 (blinds 1,000/2,500/2,500bba), Mihai Niste opened the action to 5,000 before Boris Tabiyev three-bet from the hijack. The action folded to Peter Tschernigg in the big blind, who four-bet to 31,500. Niste got out of the way ahead of Tabiyev, jamming all in for 132,000.
Tschernigg went deep into the tank, mulling his options for several minutes.
“You have aces?” asked Tschernigg. “I have kings.”
Tschernigg extended his thinking time, ultimately calling the clock on himself. As the countdown began, he peeked at his cards one final time and opened-folded K♠K♥ to gasps at the table.
“Do you really want to see it?” asked Tabiyev. Tschernigg and the rest of the table agreed.
It turned out that Tschernigg’s radar was spot on, as Tabiyev revealed A♦A♣.
“Wow! What am I playing? Get me out of here,” exclaimed Casimir Seire. “Me too,” added Nicolas Chouity.
“I don’t know if we’re playing the same game,” continued Seire as Tschernigg lapped the compliments for his fold.
At the time of writing, both players were still in contention to make the money, where 209 players remain.
You can follow all the action in our live reporting hub as the tournament inches closer to the bubble bursting.
EPT Cyprus Main Event Live Updates
EPT Cyprus Main Event By the Numbers
The EPT Cyprus 2024 Main Event has seen strong participation from across the globe, with 862 unique players making up the 1,284 total entries. Players from 66 countries are competing for a share of the $6,227,400 prize pool, with 191 spots paid and a top prize of $1,030,000 awaiting the winner. The minimum cash sits at $8,400.
While the numbers are impressive, there has been a slight year-on-year decline. Total entries are down by 2.7% (1,284 vs. 1,320), and unique participants have decreased by 3.8% (862 vs. 896). Despite this, the field remains incredibly diverse, with Russia leading the pack at 176 players, making up 20.4% of the field. The United Kingdom follows with 93 players (10.8%), Germany with 82 (9.5%), France with 73 (8.5%), and Turkey with 64 (7.4%).
Compared to the inaugural 2023 event, Russia has increased its representation from 122 players, while other top nations like Turkey, France, Germany, and the UK have also seen notable growth.
EPT Cyprus Main Event Payouts
Editor & Live Reporter
Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
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