Welcome to Day 2 of the Full Tilt Poker Merit Cyprus Classic

Welcome back to PokerNews for coverage of the second annual Full Tilt Poker Merit Cyprus Classic. It's almost time for Day 2 of the $25,000 High Roller Freeze-Out and our starting field of 36 has been whittled down to 24. An impressive field of well-known players and willing locals took to the felt yesterday and after six levels of play, David Benyamine emerged as the top stack in the room with 285,500.

A talented field is hot on his heels as November Niner Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, WSOP Bracetlet winner Carter Phillips, and Jon "Pearljammer" Turner are within striking distance. Perhaps the most dangerous player in the world, Phil Ivey, is also still in the hunt and is certainly a threat in any event he enters.

The action is scheduled to commence at 5:00 pm local time, about a half hour from now, so be sure to follow the action right here on PokerNews.