French pro takes inaugural WPT Cyprus crown.

By RP, September 13, 2009

The weekend has seen the conclusion of the tough inaugural World Poker Tour Merit Cyprus Classic after six days, with 32-year-old French pro Thomas Bichon taking home the bracelet, the title and the substantial $579 165 main prize.

The six man final table included Bichon and Uri Keidar, Steven Fung, Rep Porter, Janar Kiivramees and Rony Jazzar, and the six-figure payments went as far as the fourth place finisher.

181 hopefuls started the tournament, generating a $1.5 million prize pool.

The heads up was decided when Steven Fung was busted out in third place, taking home $216 275; his departure cleared the way for the final confrontation between Bichon and Uri Keidar, with the French player holding a massive chiplead and dominating the game, claiming victory in a brief heads up.

Keidar’s second placing was worth $380 645.