Date: October 12, 2024 | Reading Time: 5 min

In the world of professional poker, victories can hinge on a moment of clarity, a flash of strategy, or simply a timely break. For Elias Gutierrez, a rising star of the game and part of the esteemed Team PokerStars Pro, a brief intermission during a crucial match proved pivotal in his exhilarating journey to win the European Poker Tour Cyprus $25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up, alongside a hefty prize of $417,570.

The Build-Up

Gutierrez entered the heads-up match against Alexander Zubov of Russia riding high on confidence, sporting a significant chip lead. However, as the match progressed, Zubov’s tenacity began to wear him down, flipping the tables in his favor. With the pressure mounting and the title slipping from his grasp, Gutierrez found himself at a crossroads. But fate had a different plan—a scheduled 15-minute break gave him a moment to recalibrate.

The break became a sanctuary for Gutierrez, allowing him to relax and rethink his strategy. “It means a lot because I always feel the pressure of winning, especially creating content,” he reflected post-victory. “The break was great for me. I could relax a bit and rethink what I was doing. And in the end, I end up winning, which is amazing so I’m very happy.”

Final Table Highlights

The EPT Cyprus $25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up gathered an elite field of 57 players, creating a prize pool that soared to $1,368,570. The competition featured some of the best names in the business, including notable players such as Adrian Mateos and Dimitar Danchev. The final table results were as follows:

A Game of Resiliency

Gutierrez’s victory was not just a statistics game; it was a saga of resilience. Throughout the tournament, he mirrored the spirit of a seasoned player, coming from behind in key moments, notably winning a significant pot against Enrico Camosci with a set of jacks that put him back in contention. As the competition heated up, he faced elimination risks, especially after losing the chip lead to Zubov just before the break.

Once the break concluded, Gutierrez returned with renewed vigor, seizing the lead once more with strategic plays that left Zubov scrambling. The match culminated in a gripping confrontation that showcased the high stakes of poker, ultimately leading to Gutierrez’s triumphant ascent.

A Transition to Live Poker

Historically, Gutierrez has been predominantly an online player, securing a SCOOP title in 2021 and achieving cashes dating back to as early as 2010. The significance of this live tournament win cannot be overstated—it represents his first live tournament victory in 14 years and a first-time champion on the EPT circuit. This achievement is likely to pivot Gutierrez’s focus toward live poker in the future, as he expressed, “I see myself playing live poker mainly.”

A Content Creator at Heart

Beyond his prowess at the tables, Gutierrez is also a prolific content creator. With over 200,000 subscribers on YouTube and 120,000 followers on Twitch, he shares his poker journey with fans, providing them with an inside look at both his victories and his struggles. “It means double when you win a tournament,” Gutierrez explained. “This is special today, but it will also be special the day I can upload this video and people can relive this experience from a different angle.”

Final Thoughts

The EPT Cyprus $25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up was more than just a tournament for Elias Gutierrez; it was a defining moment in his poker career. As he reflects on his victory, there’s an undeniable sense of fulfillment in balancing his passions for both poker and content creation.

“It is my other passion to create content,” he concluded. After finally savoring this breakthrough achievement, Gutierrez plans to take a step back before diving back into the fast-paced world of competitive poker once again. For now, he has earned a well-deserved rest, having proven not just to himself but to fans around the world that resilience and strategy can indeed lead to victory in the high-stakes game of poker.

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The Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa was electric on Day 1 of the much-anticipated $25,000 Second Chance event, forming the final high-stakes showdown of the 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) in Cyprus. With 31 participants kicking off the day’s action, the tables quickly filled with top-tier poker talent and enthusiastic competitors ready to battle it out for a coveted title.

Day 1 Action: A Rapid Fire Experience

Despite the session’s brevity—lasting merely four hours—the level of competition and intensity was palpable. As the chips stacked and reentries began, the tally grew to 38 total entries as players took advantage of the opportunity to jump back into the fray. With late registration still open until the commencement of Day 2, the excitement over potential new contenders lingered in the air.

When the dust settled, Albert Daher emerged as the chip leader among the remaining 25 players, boasting a staggering 885,000 in chips. His position was closely contested by Elias Gutierrez, a prominent figure in the poker community who recently clinched victory in the $25,000 SHR Warm Up event, securing himself 808,000 chips. Hot on their heels was Hassan Nashar, who showed resilience by reentering multiple times, ending the day with 805,000 chips.

Notable Players in the Spotlight

Albert Daher is not new to the high roller circuit. A seasoned pro, Daher has claimed victory in three prior EPT high roller events. His most recent triumph was a thrilling heads-up win against Mikita Badziakouski, allowing him to take home an impressive $264,690 from the modest 29-entry pool. Certainly, Daher’s past victories establish him as a formidable opponent moving forward in this tournament.

By contrast, Gutierrez is striving to build on his recent momentum. His gameplay in earlier events this week showcased a combination of strategic prowess and unwavering focus, which he carried into the Second Chance event. Meanwhile, Nashar’s aggressive style, characterized by bold betting and an unconventional approach of occasionally playing cards without looking, has made waves at the tables and promises an entertaining narrative as the tournament unfolds.

Chip Counts and Key Players

As we dive deeper into the leaderboard, a glance at the top ten chip counts shows a competitive field ready for battle on Day 2:

With such a diverse array of players at the peak of the chip counts, the second day of action is set to showcase skill levels across the board.

Highlighted Hands and Turning Points

Among the most notable instances of Day 1 was Masashi Oya, who temporarily surged into the chip lead through a calculated play that saw him slowplay pocket aces against Juan Pardo’s ace-king, navigating the complexities of the board smartly. Though he didn’t maintain his lead throughout the day, he concluded with a respectable stack of 356,000.

Another crucial shift in momentum occurred when Jelle Moene took down a massive pot in a straight versus straight hand against Jérémie Zouari. However, as the day unfolded, Nashar’s aggressive presence began to dominate the narrative, leading him to inspirational rises and subsequent hits in chip counts through tactical risks and exceptional plays.

As we advance towards Day 2, challengers such as Duco ten Haven, Steve O’Dwyer, and others are primed to make their mark as well, each bringing unique strategies and experiences to the tables.

What’s Next?

Day 2 enthusiasm is already palpable, with players eager to reconvene and witness how the late registrations will alter the playing field. Scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m. local time, players will continue the competition, resuming at Level 9 with blinds at 3,000/6,000 and a 6,000 big-blind ante. With a 75-minute dinner break anticipated after Level 20, players can expect a fiercely competitive atmosphere as they strive to become the next high roller champion.

As more high-stakes participants are expected to join the table, the anticipation is set to amplify with each passing hour. Stay tuned as PokerNews continues to provide comprehensive coverage leading up to the crowning of this prestigious tournament’s champion!

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