Three-handed on a flop of A♥K♣J♣ and around 10,000 in the pot, Ara Melkisetian bet 5,000 from early position and only Hwany Lee called in middle position.
The turn came the 2♣ and Melkisetian fired out another 12,000. Lee this time gave up his hand as Melkisetian raked in the pot, continuing his torrid pace so far on Day 1a as he's climbed into contention for the chip lead.
Dominik Panka opened to 3,000 from under the gun and Jason Wheeler defended in the big blind.
Wheeler checked on the flop of 3♣4♠3♠ and Panka continued with the same bet of 3,000. Wheeler laid it down without a fight.
Patrick Tardif had just registered for the tournament and got his entire stack of 28,500 in the middle from the big blind on his first hand. Tomasz Szcerbinski had him at risk on the button.
Patrick Tardif: 10♥10♦
Tomasz Szcerbinski: A♦Q♦
"Fair fight," Tardif said heading to the 2♥J♥9♥ flop, which kept him in the lead.
"That's good," he added as the K♠ fell on the turn. "That's okay."
The river came the 7♦ and Tardif's tens stayed in front to earn him a double up.
"Easy game," a tablemate said.
"I'm not supposed to win these," Tardif replied.
Level: 11
Blinds: 1,000/1,500
Ante: 1,500
The EPT Cyprus Main Event livestream kicks off on Wednesday, October 18, at 12:30 EEST (11:30 CEST) with Day 2 action. The cards-up coverage continues with Day 3 on Thursday, Day 4 on Friday, and Day 5 on Saturday, all starting at the same time as Day 2.
Finally, the event climaxes with the much-awaited Final Table on Sunday, October 22, starting at 13:00 EEST (12:00 CEST).
For fans worldwide, English-language coverage on the central/global channels will be hosted by renowned poker commentators James Hartigan, Joe Stapleton, Griffin Benger, Nick Walsh, and Maria Ho. In addition to the central channel, there will also be streams on the French, Spanish and Brazilian channels with broadcasts also in German and Italian.
Players are now on a 75-minute dinner break. Action should resume around 9 p.m. local time.
Late registration for Day 1a will close once play resumes.
Panagi Panikos stuck in his last 10,000 from the cutoff and Parker Talbot splashed in some chips to call in middle position.
Panagi Panikos: A♠10♠
Parker Talbot: J♣8♣
The board ran out 2♦3♥Q♥2♥A♥ and Panikos finished with two pair to win the pot and double up right as players headed off on dinner break.
"Wow, that's pretty weird. Usually jack-eight wins," Talbot said.
Simon Gilles opened to 2,500 in the cutoff and Vladislav Naumov defended in the big blind.
Naumov checked on the flop of K♥K♦4♦ and Gilles continued for 1,500. Naumov folded without a fight.
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