Florida is roughly 6,400 miles / 10,300 km from the Chamada Status Resort & On line casino on the island nation of Cyprus. That’s the reason it was a little bit of a shock to see Sunshine State grinder Ray Qartomy within the subject of the World Poker Tour (WPT) $3,500 Cyprus Championship.
“I heard about it and I used to be in Jordan, so I simply flew again with the spouse right here to Cyprus,” Qartomy instructed PokerNews on a break late on Day 2. “I got here as soon as earlier than, and I do prefer it. I like the on line casino. Simply every part is snug. It is free, very pleasant, very clear. I’d be again for certain.”
Whereas seeing Qartomy in Cyprus was a little bit of a shock, seeing him play the WPT wasn’t. The truth is, one may name him a daily on tour, and possibly even one of many “greatest and not using a WPT title” with 21 cashes totaling $1,559,720 and 6 ultimate desk appearances, together with a pair of top-three finishes.
In 2022, he completed third within the WPT Choctaw for $235,000 and second to Joshua Pollock within the WPT Legends of Poker for $380,000.
“It is my dream truly,” Qartomy stated when requested concerning the concept of profitable a WPT title. “It is my dream to only end it up. I attempted many occasions. I want I may do that one. I’ve a perception. I am enjoying very well proper now, so I’ve a perception that I’ll do one thing right here.”
Qartomy did go on to bag and be certainly one of 70 gamers to return on Day 3. Sadly for him, a seventh ultimate desk look must wait as Qartomy exited in Stage 19 (10,000/15,000/15,000). In response to the WPT Reside Updates, Qartomy acquired his final 370,000 all in from the button holding the A♣8♣ and was at-risk in opposition to the Ok♠J♠ of Hulya Secking.
The A♠6♠4♠ flop was a dagger by Qartomy’s coronary heart as his opponent flopped the nut flush. The 7♣ flip left Qartomy drawing useless, and he exited in forty seventh place for $11,800.
Previous to that money, Qartomy had $5,867,976 in lifetime earnings in keeping with The Hendon Mob, of which $597,330 has are available in 2025. That after two lackluster years in 2024 and 2023, when he received simply $30,600 and $31,947, respectively.
“I modified just a little bit as a result of I took just a little trip,” Qartomy admitted. “I used to be in Prussia after which the US once I went to Jordan. I acquired married there a number of years in the past, so I’m in Jordan now extra, so I am extra relaxed.”
Being a extra relaxed married man appears to be paying off as Qartomy has as soon as once more discovered poker success. Over three days again in April, he received two titles on the PokerGO Tour Texas Poker Open, good for $40,500 and $41,700. In between, he additionally completed third in one other occasion for $19,200.
Then, over one other three days in July, he received a pair of $15,000 ARIA Excessive Rollers for $270,000 and $210,200. So, to say Qartomy had some momentum heading into Cyprus could be an understatement, and whereas his run in the end got here up wanting one other six-figure payday, he’s already trying to the longer term.
“I will be again on the tour with WPT for certain by subsequent yr, I’ll play all of them,” stated Qartomy, singling one out specifically. “I like bestbet Jacksonville, it’s certainly one of my favorites, they usually took care of me.”
Certainly, Qartomy sported a bestbet patch whereas enjoying in Cyprus, and he’ll little question be a featured bounty on the subsequent $5,000 buy-in WPT bestbet Bounty Scramble Championship developing Nov. 14-18. However how does he really feel about probably being a bounty and having a goal painted on his again?
“Truly, I find it irresistible as a result of I haven’t got to be actually aggressive, , simply wait, however they all the time assault the bounty, so I prefer it. It is good.”
*Photographs courtesy of the Tomas Stacha & World Poker Tour (WPT).
Chad Holloway
PR & Media Supervisor
