Champion Crowned at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa
The PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus witnessed an exciting conclusion to its $10,200 Mystery Bounty event, hosted at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa. With a total of 102 entries, the event created a substantial prize pool of $989,400, including $479,400 in the regular prize pool and an impressive $510,000 in bounty prizes. Notably, 13 players managed to secure cash prizes, each earning a minimum of $9,600.
Lithuania’s Oleg Semionov Clinches Victory
Following an intense and extended Day 2 of gameplay, Oleg Semionov from Lithuania emerged as the ultimate champion. He secured the top prize of $127,900, which increased to a total of $192,900 when factoring in bounty earnings. In addition to the monetary reward, Semionov also received the prestigious PokerStars Spade trophy, marking his first major live tournament victory.
Semionov shared his thoughts on the event, saying, “Sometimes we play poker home games, and sometimes I come here to Merit to play – but mostly cash games, not really tournaments. We used to have offices in Larnaca, so that’s why I have played here before.” This EPT series marked Semionov’s debut with PokerStars, and he expressed his enjoyment, especially praising the event’s skilled dealers and Merit’s investments in their hotels, casinos, and resorts. He concluded, “It’s nice to win. To win a tournament is probably the best feeling in poker. And it’s a good prize, so even better.”
Final Table Results
The final table of the EPT Cyprus $10,200 Mystery Bounty event showcased remarkable talent, with the following players securing their positions:
- Oleg Semionov (Lithuania) – $127,900
- Aliaksandr Hirs (Belarus) – $82,500
- Antoine Labat (France) – $58,900
- Julien Sitbon (France) – $45,350
- Elias Gutierrez (Spain) – $36,250
- Maher Nouira (Tunisia) – $29,000
- Eros Calderone (Italy) – $23,200
- Dylan DeStefano (United States) – $18,550
- Bart Lybaert (Belgium) – $14,850
The Final Table Showdown
Semionov found himself engaged in a prolonged three-player battle at the final table before eventually going heads-up against the more experienced tournament player, Aliaksandr Hirs from Belarus. Hirs boasts an impressive live tournament earnings record of $715,370, including a third-place finish in the ESPT Barcelona in 2022. In a dramatic coin flip scenario, Hirs ultimately settled for second place, taking home $82,500. Notably, just before the event concluded, Hirs claimed a $50,000 bounty envelope, increasing his total earnings to $195,000 when including bounties.
Another notable contender in the three-way showdown was Antoine Labat, a French professional with recorded live tournament winnings of $3,126,567. Labat put up a valiant effort before making a bold move and running into pocket kings, ultimately securing third place with a prize of $58,900.
Bonus Bounty Prize
Even outside the final table, the tournament provided excitement. Jinho Hong, despite not reaching the final table, still walked away with a substantial prize. He exited the event in 11th place, earning $11,850. In a memorable twist, Hong became the first participant to claim one of the $50,000 bounty prizes upon his exit.
The EPT Cyprus $10,200 Mystery Bounty event delivered thrilling poker action, with Oleg Semionov standing as the victor, marking a significant milestone in his poker career. Aliaksandr Hirs and Antoine Labat also showcased their skills, contributing to a memorable and rewarding tournament experience for all involved.