The 2024 WPT Prime Cyprus Festival has officially kicked off, and in just under a week, I’ll be heading there to cover the festivities for Cardplayer Lifestyle. With a full schedule of events already previewed, there are a few standout aspects of the festival that I’m particularly excited about experiencing. From the luxury of the hosting venue to the thrill of the championship event as well as off-the-felt adventures to be had, here are five things I’m eagerly anticipating.
1. The WPT Prime Cyprus Venue: Chamada Prestige Hotel
The Chamada Prestige Hotel, the official venue for the WPT Prime Cyprus Festival, in Kyrenia, has garnered rave reviews for its world-class facilities. Everything I’ve seen online suggests that this resort is nothing short of extraordinary. The hotel offers one-of-a-kind experience for guests, including access to what appear to be incredible spa facilities. As I won’t be staying on-site, I don’t know if I’ll have the time in my schedule to experience all of the luxury the Chamada Prestige Hotel has to offer, but I plan to speak with a management representative to gain deeper appreciation for the amenities and services that will surely enhance the overall festival experience for poker playing attendees.
2. A Front Row Seat to the WPT Prime Cyprus Championship Event
By definition one of the highlights of the 2024 WPT Cyprus festival will be the WPT Prime Championship event, featuring a $1 million guaranteed prize pool. This tournament will be sure to attract top poker talent from around Europe and perhaps beyond, and I’m eager to see which player will emerge victorious and have their name etched onto the coveted Perpetual Trophy. Having a front row seat will allow me to share the action and excitement with you all, and I’m looking forward to capturing it right here on Cardplayer Lifestyle.
We kicked off our @WPTPrime Cyprus Festival TODAY @ChamadaCasino!
The festival features a stacked schedule which includes a $1,100 @WPTPrime Championship with $1,000,000 GTD beginning August 22nd!
For more info & the full schedule – https://t.co/6Pski9G6DP pic.twitter.com/CtBN1QyisT
— WPT Prime (@WPTPrime) August 15, 2024
3. A Mediterranean Mixed Game Experience
Longtime readers and fans will know that few things excite me more than a mixed game. I know that the WPT’s Executive Tour Director Matt Savage will be on site, as will a couple of my fellow mixed game-loving poker media colleagues, Mike Patrick and Will Shillibier.
I’m optimistic that there will be a time while I’m there where our core four will be free to sit together and successfully attract another couple of mixed game poker aficionados. If we do, it’ll be sure to be a rousing low-stakes cash game poker session of memory-making as we enjoy and engage in all poker variants non-Texas Hold’em-affiliated. In short, a “Mediterranean Mixed Game” would surely be a highlight!
4. Exploring Northern Cyprus
When on a poker trip, it’s always a treat to have a new area to explore, and Northern Cyprus will be no exception. Away from the poker tables, I’m excited to have the opportunity to see some stunning scenery and learn a little about Northern Cypriot history. Within a 30-minute radius of Kyrenia, you can find a number of impressive historical sites and Mediterranean landscapes that anyone attending WPT Prime Cyprus would be remiss to not take in. Exploring these areas will not only offer a cultural and scenic adventure, but also provide a chance to unwind and recharge away from the felt.
Saint Hilarion Castle, which welcomes thousands of visitors every month in Northern Cyprus.
5. A Brief Respite from Tension at Home in Israel
Lastly, I hate to break poker’s fourth wall again, but longtime readers know that I’m nothing if not authentic. Covering WPT Prime Cyprus and focusing exclusively on work for a few days provides me with the opportunity to come up for a much needed breath of fresh air. As you’ve surely heard in the news, things have been pretty intense here at home in Israel over the last few weeks in particular. While it takes only an hour to fly to Cyprus from here, it might as well be in another world. A few days fully immersed in the poker environment and away from home promises to be a healthy and much-needed change of pace.
Conclusion
As my next poker trip draws nearer, my excitement continues to build. From the luxurious Chamada Prestige Hotel and the thrilling WPT Prime Championship event to having fingers crossed for a “Mediterranean Mixed Game” and the opportunity to explore a slice of Northern Cyprus, there’s much to look forward to. This festival promises not only a premier poker experience but also a chance to embrace new adventures and find a bit of respite. What more could a poker player ask for to end off the summer with a bang? 
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