Home / Poker News August 2010 / Full Tilt’s Merit Cyprus Classic high rollers’ event – Day 1
Full Tilt’s Merit Cyprus Classic high rollers’ event – Day 1
Posted by: James Carter. - Sat, 2010-08-21 23:38
Full Tilt Poker’s Merit Cyprus Classic got rolling with the high rollers’ event a few days ago. Only 36 players found it within their means to cough up the $25,000 buy-in, and at the end of day 1, only 24 of the contenders were still at the tables. The official prize-pool has not been revealed yet, a few things are certain about the
poker tournament though: only the top 5 finishers will walk away with money. The winner will pocket 45% of the pool, which – considering the size of the buy-ins – is likely to be a true monster.
Full Tilt Poker’s David Benyamine emerged with the chip lead at the end of the first day of green felt hostilities.
The Frenchman’s ride to the top was everything but smooth though. He began by dropping about 35% of his stack, but he managed to rebound, and during level 2 he chipped up nicely by taking down a huge all-in pot from Chris Karagulleyan (who had his pocket rockets cracked) and another player (who got it all-in on 8,8 with a set on the turn).
Jon Turner was the one who finished second in chips. His break came when he got it all-in on a 4-card flush on a board of Ac,Qs,5c holding Kc, Qc in his pocket. His opponent made the call holding A,5 for the top pair, but the 8c on the river made Turner’s nut flush, giving him the pot.
Phil Ivey made it through day 1 as well, together with Carter Phillips, Michael Mizrachi and
Titan Poker Pro Sorel Mizzi.
Ivey had a great start, but later he dropped some chips to Martin Kabrhel, and thus sunk back into the field stack-wise.
