$10,200 Mystery Bounty
Day 2 Completed
$10,200 Mystery Bounty
Day 2 Completed
The $10,200 Mystery Bounty event at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa has now reached a conclusion and a champion has been crowned at the PokerStars European Poker Tour Cyprus.
A total of 102 entries were made to the event, which generated a prize pool of $989,400, breaking down as $479,400 in the regular prize pool and $510,000 in bounty prizes. Of those who entered, 13 players made the money and took at least the min-cash of $9,600.
After a tough and lengthy Day 2, Oleg Semionov of Lithuania emerged as the outright winner. He walked away with the top prize of $127,900 ($192,900 including bounties), as well as the PokerStars Spade trophy and the prestige of winning his first major live tournament.
“Sometimes we play poker home games and sometimes I come here to Merit to play – but mostly cash games not really tournaments”, said Semionov. “We used to have offices in Larnaca, so that’s why (I have played here before).”
This was Semionov’s first PokerStars series and he’s enjoyed it, commenting in particular on the good dealers and pointing to the investments Merit have made when it comes to the hotels, casinos and resort. Aside from being a positive experience, it’s also been a lucrative outcome.
“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.”
Rank | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Oleg Semionov | Lithuania | $127,900 |
2 | Aliaksandr Hirs | Belarus | $82,500 |
3 | Antoine Labat | France | $58,900 |
4 | Julien Sitbon | France | $45,350 |
5 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | $36,250 |
6 | Maher Nouira | Tunisia | $29,000 |
7 | Eros Calderone | Italy | $23,200 |
8 | Dylan DeStefano | United States | $18,550 |
9 | Bart Lybaert | Belgium | $14,850 |
Semionov was locked in a lengthy three-player battle on the final table before going heads-up against the more experienced tournament player, Aliaksandr Hirs of Belarus. According to Hendon Mob, Hirs has $715,370 in live tournament earnings, including a third-place finish in the ESPT Barcelona in 2022.
After players got their chips in the middle for a coin flip, Hirs had to settle for second place and $82,500. Hirs won’t be too disappointed, especially considering that moments before the event finished he pulled the $50,000 bounty envelope to add to his prize money. Including bounties, Hirs took $195,000 from the tournament.
The other player involved in that three way battle was Antoine Labat, a French pro with $3,126,567 in recorded live tournament winnings. Labat put up a good fight before making a shove and running into pocket kings. He exited in third place and claimed $58,900 in prize money.
Although he didn't make the final table, Jinho Hong also made a tidy sum from the tournament. He was eliminated in 11th place for $11,850, but on making his exit became the first to pull one of the $50,000 bounty prizes.
That concludes the PokerNews coverage of the $10,200 Mystery Bounty event. Stay tuned, as there's loads more to come during the EPT Cyprus.
After a lengthy three-way battle and a relatively short heads-up stint, Oleg Semionov has emerged as the outright winner of the $10,200 Mystery Bounty event. He takes $127,900 and the PokerStars Spade trophy.
Standby for the event recap on PokerNews.
Oleg Semionov shoved all in from the button for around 20 big blinds and Aliaksandr Hirs made the call with the shorter stack. Players flipped their cards.
Aliaksandr Hirs: 4♦4♠
Oleg Semionov: A♦9♦
The board ran out 9♣6♣A♥5♦6♥. Semionov made two pair and held to win the pot. Hirs was eliminated from the tournament in second place for $82,500.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Oleg Semionov |
10,200,000
5,700,000
|
5,700,000 |
Aliaksandr Hirs | Busted |
Level: 28
Blinds: 125,000/250,000
Ante: 250,000
Aliaksandr Hirs limped in on the button and Oleg Semionov checked his option in the big blind.
The Q♠10♥6♦ flop checked through to the J♠ on the turn. Semionov check-called a bet of 200,000 from Hirs.
The 4♦ river saw Semionov check again. Hirs bet out 325,000 and Semionov responded with a raise to 900,000. Hirs elected to make the call. Semionov tabled 6♣4♥; good enough to take down this pot.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Aliaksandr Hirs |
5,700,000
-1,400,000
|
-1,400,000 |
Oleg Semionov |
4,500,000
1,400,000
|
1,400,000 |
Aliaksandr Hirs asked to claim his bounty token prize before play continued. He walked over to the box and casually pulled out the $50,000 envelope before returning to his seat.
The $10,200 Mystery Bounty is now heads-up. Aliaksandr Hirs has a commanding chip lead over his opponent Oleg Semionov. Second place will take $82,500 and first place will take $127,900. There's also the $50,000 bounty still to be picked.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Aliaksandr Hirs | 7,100,000 | |
Oleg Semionov |
3,100,000
-800,000
|
-800,000 |
Aliaksandr Hirs raised from the button and Antoine Labat moved all in from the big blind for around 2,700,000. Hirs quickly made the call with the bigger stack and players flipped their cards.
Antoine Labat: 9♥8♥
Aliaksandr Hirs: K♦K♣
It was bad timing for Labat, who ran into Hirs' pocket kings. The board ran out A♥7♠4♥9♠7♣. Hirs held with his kings to win the pot and take a commanding chip lead going into heads-up.
Labat was eliminated from the tournament in third place for $58,900.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Aliaksandr Hirs |
7,100,000
4,100,000
|
4,100,000 |
Antoine Labat | Busted |
Level: 27
Blinds: 100,000/200,000
Ante: 200,000