Two poker champions are on a mission to defend their titles this weekend. Preston McEwen is chasing back-to-back victories within the RunGood Tunica Essential Occasion, whereas Tudor Purice appears to copy final yr’s heroics on the WPT Prime Cyprus $1,100 Championship.
McEwen has work to do after falling quick on Day 1A in Mississippi, however Purice is one step nearer to defending his crown. The Romanian grinder efficiently navigated Day 1C of the $1 million assured match on the Chamada Status Lodge and On line casino on Friday, bagging 176,000 chips—good for thirty third place among the many 45 gamers who superior.
Twelve months in the past, Purice topped an enormous 1,202-entry subject to assert the $183,270 high prize. This time round, he is already secured a payday by making it over the primary hurdle. With 359 entries in Day 1C pushing the whole to 828, the Day 2 subject now stands at 105 contenders.

Samer Sadaka (1,036,000) was the one participant to surpass the seven-figure mark. He constructed his stack late within the day, spiking a set in an enormous pot to construct a commanding lead over Roman Nuraev (873,000) and Maroun Dagher (710,000).
Different notable names, comparable to Timothy Thorp (353,000), Matej Michalak (223,000), and Joshua Marquardt (206,000), additionally progressed from Day 1C.
The final beginning flights are set for Saturday, March 15, at midday (Day 1D) and eight p.m., with the ultimate flight (Day 1E) being a turbo format with 20-minute ranges.
WPT Prime Cyprus Championship Day 1C High 10 Chip Counts
Tremendous Excessive Curler Victory Awards Midik $93K

Whereas the WPT Prime Cyprus Championship stole a lot of the highlight, the $3,800 Tremendous Excessive Curler Turbo additionally took middle stage at Chamada, drawing a aggressive subject of 104 entries and making a $327,600 prize pool.
The highest 15 gamers made the cash, with the minimal money set at $6,500 and the winner securing $93,000. Among the many notable names chasing the large payday had been British cohort Tom Middleton, Phillipe Souki, and Dan Charlton. Nonetheless, the trio have loved a powerful run in North Cyprus. Middleton netted $21,000 early within the pageant, Souki claimed a trophy, and Charlton—who’s triumphed over private battles with alcohol and medicines—has made three closing tables. The latter two have additionally secured their spots for Day 2 of the Championship.
Ultimately, it was Osman Midik who emerged victorious, taking down a fast-paced closing desk that lasted simply 45 minutes to crown the champion.
$3,800 Tremendous Excessive Curler Last Desk Outcomes
WPT Prime Cyprus Scoreboard
Photographs courtesy of The World Poker Tour/Chamada