The prestigious $5,300 EPT Main Event at the 2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus has come to a thrilling conclusion, with a record-breaking field of players from around the world converging on the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino in Kyrenia, Cyprus for a shot at poker glory.
The Main Event, which featured a staggering €5 million guaranteed prize pool, attracted some of the biggest names in the poker world, including former EPT champions, WSOP bracelet winners, and high-stakes cash game professionals. With so much talent in the field, the competition was fierce from the very first hand.
After several days of intense play, it was ultimately a relative unknown who emerged victorious. Hailing from Latvia, 27-year-old poker prodigy Viktor Ivanov put on a masterful display of skill and strategy to outlast a field of 1,342 players and claim the coveted EPT Main Event title.
Ivanov’s journey to the top was not without its challenges. He had to navigate through a tough final table that included seasoned pros such as Maria Lampropoulos, Adrian Mateos, and Dominik Nitsche. But Ivanov held his nerve and played with precision throughout, ultimately sealing the deal with a dominant performance heads-up against his final opponent.
For his efforts, Ivanov took home an eye-watering first-place prize of €1.2 million, as well as the prestigious EPT trophy and a custom-made diamond-encrusted championship bracelet. The win marked a career-defining moment for the young Latvian, who had previously only seen moderate success on the live tournament circuit.
In a post-tournament interview, Ivanov expressed his gratitude and disbelief at his victory, stating, “I can’t believe this is real. It’s a dream come true to win such a prestigious event against such tough competition. I’m still in shock, but I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the support of my friends and family.”
The 2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus Main Event was not only a showcase of high-stakes poker action but also a testament to the enduring popularity of the EPT brand and the global appeal of tournament poker. With record-breaking attendance and a diverse field of players competing for life-changing sums of money, the event once again solidified its place as one of the premier stops on the international poker circuit.
As the dust settles on another thrilling edition of the EPT, fans and players alike are already looking forward to the next stop on the tour. With the promise of more exciting poker action and the chance to witness the emergence of the next poker superstar, the PokerStars EPT continues to captivate and inspire players around the world.