Final day

The iconic Battle of Malta festival left the shores of the island for the first time this week, venturing to Card Casino Samorin for the Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition, with a marquee €400 buy-in, €400,000 Main Event. It is safe to say the event was a huge success, with hordes of players from all over the world descending on the stunning venue, and 1,510 entries creating a €402,840 prize pool.

Only 15 players returned for the final day on September 14, and when the dust settled on a rollercoaster final table, Vienna native and online grinder Mario Klaic had secured his maiden live victory and was crowned as the first international Battle of Malta champion.

Klaic banked €46,900 in the process after a heads-up deal with his final adversary, Henrich Miculik of Slovakia, secured both players €40,000 and left only the destination of the trophy and the final €6,900 of the prize pool to be determined.

While the result was not Klaic’s biggest score, having secured a number of cashes in the $40,000-$65,000 range online, the project manager was emotional after his win, and savored finally getting his hands on a live poker trophy.

Klaic had spent the entirety of his starting flight, and Day 2, with his laptop open beside him grinding multiple tables online, and took down a tournament for $5,000 during Day 2. However, he set the online grind aside for the final day, and truly played for the win.

The final table was explosive, with the chip lead changing hands on multiple occasions between numerous players, and ICM considerations seemed to go out the window at various points, while huge, barely believable coolers erupted.

Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event Final Table Results

Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event Final Table

The final table results for the event are set out below:

*Denotes Heads-Up Deal

In addition, the top four received €1,500 tickets to the WSOP Circuit event at Card Casino in February 2027, while fifth to ninth received a €1,200 package to the €2,000,000 guaranteed Battle of Malta festival, running from 27 October to 4 November.

Winner’s Reaction

Mario Klaic and Casino Malta Staff

After he had been presented with the trophy, a beaming Klaic said “Amazing, I mean I have no words for this experience. It’s my first live title, I’m usually a button clicker, so it means a lot. There was lots of swings, ups and downs, I was chip leader for a while, but you have to be confident in these situations. You never know what happens, there was of course some luck, you can’t win a tournament without some, but I was confident and wasn’t particularly scared of any opponent.”

“My game plan was just be crazy, crazy enough to beat those I would say quite tight players, it was a lot of money I think for most of them. I was playing for the title if I’m honest, I was not playing for the prize pool. I shipped a tournament online during Day 2, I had no fear. I just wanted the title, and it’s now in my arms, so I’m really happy.”

“I don’t think this will change too much for my poker plans. I’ve been thinking about switching more to live tournaments, I’m an online player for sure, but I enjoy the social aspect of live, the experience is quite different and I’ve really started enjoying it, so yes I just want to keep up with the grind and play my best.”

Recap of Final Day Action

The final 15 returned with €3,200 locked up, and Hassibullah Hafizi of Austria and Peter Kadlec of Slovakia, who had already secured their biggest live scores, started with a big lead over the rest of the field, while Klaic was in the top four, along with Marcus Skalicky.

The first elimination came in the very first hand of the day, as short-stack Marian Flesar got it in good versus Alexander Geischlaeger, but was overtaken on the flop. Kadlec was the beneficiary of an astonishing cooler, when Marek Grinaj and Otto Hiebel committed their stacks to the middle, both holding pocket kings, but ran into Kadlec’s aces, resulting in a double knockout and vaulting the Slovakian into the chip lead.

Peter Kadlec

Kadlec took a hit when he lost a flip with ace-king to double Zdenek Svoboda, and Hafizi got in on the action when he eliminated Sandor Rabi of Hungary in 12th. Kadlec promptly got his revenge on Svoboda when Svoboda three-bet jammed with a suited ace over an open, but ran into Kadlec’s kings in the big blind.

The final table was set when Geischlaeger disposed of short-stack Norbert Alin, and Kadlec held a substantial lead over Skalicky and Klaic.

Final Table Action

Play started relatively cautiously, and Klaic moved up the standings when he damaged Hafizi with two pair, but then sustained damage in successive pots against Geischlaeger and Miculik.

It took around 90 minutes before Radoslav Herman of Slovakia became the first casualty of the final table, running into Miculik’s overpair, and Klaic claimed his first scalp when he pipped Hungarian Norbert Kerepesi.

The players with the biggest regrets from the finale will probably be Kadlec and Geischlaeger. Kadlec had started Day 3 on fire, but matters started to go wrong when he ran ace-queen into the ace-king of Daniel Georgiev, surrendering the chip lead to Geischlaeger. The top two then went to war, with ICM considerations going out the window, as Kadlec back-jammed pocket nines in the face of Geischlaeger’s three-bet with ace-queen suited, who instantly called.

Alexander Geischlaeger

Geischlaeger smashed the flop, hitting top pair with the nut flush draw, but Kadlec made a set on the turn in brutal fashion, and improved to a full house on the river. Geischlaeger had thumped the table in fury when the turn hit, and was thoroughly disgusted with the outcome. That gave Kadlec a third of the chips in play, and the trophy seemed his to lose, but he got unlucky against Klaic, in what was with hindsight the most significant hand of the tournament.

In a three-bet pot, Kadlec check-called an all-in from Klaic on the turn with second pair. Klaic only had a wrap draw, but drilled it on the river to take the overall chip lead. Kadlec still had a healthy stack, but the bad beat seemed to have a significant impact, and shortly after he was in a three-bet pot with Skalicky with a weak holding, and jammed bottom pair into Skalicky’s top two, sending Kadlec tumbling to the bottom of the counts.

The ultimate champion proceeded to pick up cowboys to extend his lead, but was usurped by Skalicky just before dinner break, where there were still 7 players left. The break seemed to recharge everyone, and the pace went from cautious to chaotic almost instantly, as the field was reduced to the final three in rapid fashion on their return.

First, Miculik busted short-stack Georgiev in a button versus big blind spot, before Hafizi jammed into Klaic’s dominating hand to depart in sixth. Skalicky busted Kadlec in fifth in a blind on blind spot, and Geischlaeger’s run ended in fourth when he jammed the button with an ace, but ran into Miculik’s rockets in the small blind.

Henrich Miculik

Skalicky had the lead three-handed, and the players battled for a good two hours, with Klaic showing he was playing for the win by jamming the turn with air in a three-bet pot versus Skalicky, giving the victor a reasonable lead over Skalicky at the third break.

However Miculik came back with renewed energy from the break, and suddenly went on a charge, taking a number of pots against Klaic to take the lead. Skalicky started to be squeezed by both Miculik and Klaic, and he was on the ropes and eventually eliminated by Klaic after essentially being forced all-in from the big blind, leaving Klaic and Miculik to face off for the title.

Mario Klaic and Henrich Miculik Before Heads-Up Play

Despite having a 3:2 chip advantage, Miculik was content to agree a €40,000 even chop of the remaining prize pool, with €6,900 reserved for the winner. It didn’t take long for Klaic to reverse the position, and he sealed the title when he defended the big blind and flopped two pair versus Miculik’s top pair, with the chips hitting the middle on the turn, crowning Klaic as a deserved champion.

Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition €400 Main Event Results

The full results for the event are below:

Mario Klaic – Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event Winner

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 36: 400,000/800,000 (800,000)
Entries: 1/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Austrian Mario Klaic has been crowned a worthy champion in the first ever Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event, banking €46,900 after defeating Henrich Miculik heads-up.

The players agreed a deal whereby they each secured €40,000, and played on for €6,900 and the trophy. Klaic, an online grinder, proceeded to turn around a chip deficit in rapid fashion to lift his first ever live poker trophy.

A full recap of the final day and an interview with the champion will follow tomorrow, but in the meantime the full results of the event are listed below:-

*Denotes Heads-Up Deal

Mario Klaic and Henrich Miculik After the Final Hand

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 36: 400,000/800,000 (800,000)
Entries: 1/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

After the players traded a few pots, Henrich Miculik opened to 1,900,000 from the button, and Mario Klaic defended.

The K♦5♦3♥ flop was checked to the J♦ turn, where Klaic checked once more, and Miculik fired out a bet of 1,600,000.

Klaic check-jammed with the covering stack, and Miculik snap-called.

Henrich Miculik: K♥Q♠
Mario Klaic: 5♣3♦

In a cooler, it was top pair versus bottom two pair, and with the title on the line, Klaic was a big favorite.

Miculik needed a king, queen or jack on the river, but the 3♣ river improved Klaic further to a full house, sending him the title, and the additional €6,900 at stake after both players banked €40,000 in a heads-up deal.

The players shook hands, and a huge smile broke out over Klaic’s face as he was left to lift his first live poker trophy, while Miculik’s wife, who had been on the rail throughout, gave her husband a big hug.

Henrich Miculik and Mrs Miculik

Mario Klaic – 59,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 0

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 2/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 1,300,000 from the button with Q♣7♣, and called a three-bet to 3,600,000 from Mario Klaic from the big blind with K♠7♠.

On the J♣T♠3♠ flop, Klaic continued with a bet of 3,000,000 with his flush draw, and Miculik called.

The 2♣ turn gave Miculik a flush draw as well, and Klaic fired out a bet of 4,500,000. Miculik raised to 10,000,000, and Klaic called.

The 8♥ river completed the board, and Klaic moved all in for 7,000,000, forcing Miculik to fold, and giving Klaic a big lead.

Mario Klaic – 41,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 18,000,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 2/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened to 1,200,000 from the button with J♣9♥, and Henrich Miculik defended 8♦2♦.

On the K♥Q♣6♣ flop, Miculik check-folded to a bet of 900,00 from Klaic.

Mario Klaic – 25,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 34,000,000

Mario Klaic and Henrich Miculik Before Heads-Up Play

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 2/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

The players have taken their seats and heads-up play is underway.

Henrik Miculik – 35,000,000
Mario Klaic – 24,000,000

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 2/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik and Mario Klaic have agreed a deal heads-up, whereby they will both bank €40,000, with the players playing on for the trophy and €6,900.

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 2/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened to 1,200,000 from the button with A♥2♦, and Henrich Miculik called in the small blind with J♥4♦.

Marcus Skalicky only had 300,000 behind in the big blind, and moved all in with 6♣3♦.

The K♥T♦5♦Q♥Q♣ flop was checked down by the active players, and Klaic took the pot with his ace kicker, eliminating Skalicky in the process.

The tournament is now heads-up, with Miculik with the lead over Klaic.

The players have been sent on a ten-minute break before heads-up play begins.

Mario Klaic – 24,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 36,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 0

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic raised to 2,000,000 from the small blind with J♦3♦, and Henrich Miculik defended T♣5♣ after 20 seconds with his head in his hands.

On the T♦3♥2♣ flop, Klaic fired out a bet of 1,200,000, and Miculik snap announced “All-in”, forcing a fold from Klaic.

Henrich Miculik – 37,000,000
Mario Klaic – 21,000,000

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik limped from the small blind with A♠A♥, and Marcus Skalicky checked his option with 9♥2♠.

The K♥T♠]4♦ flop was checked to the 5♥ turn, where Skalicky led out with a bet of 1,100,000.

Miculik called to see the 3♦ turn, where Miculik checked once more. Skalicky didn’t fall into the trap, and checked back, but now has only five big blinds.

Henrich Miculik – 33,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 3,300,000

Marcus Skalicky

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Marcus Skalicky opened to 1,200,000 from the button with A♠3♥, and was faced with a three-bet to 3,000,000 from Mario Klaic in the small blind with A♥J♣.

After a spell in the tank, Skalicky folded.

Mario Klaic – 23,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 5,600,000

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 1,500,000 from the button with J♦9♦, and called a three-bet to 3,500,000 from Marcus Skalicky from the small blind with K♣J♥.

The dealer fanned a flop of 6♦4♦3♣, and Skalicky check-folded to an all-in bet from Miculik with the covering stack.

Henrich Miculik – 32,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 6,800,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic raised to 1,200,000 from the button with 9♦7♥, and Marcus Skalicky defended Q♦3♦.

The flop of 4♠3♠2♦, and 9♥ turn were checked to the 5♦ river, where Skalicky check-called versus a bet of 1,800,000 from Klaic, to see Klaic had went ahead on the turn.

Mario Klaic – 22,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 10,000,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic completed the small blind with T♠8♣, and Henrich Miculik knuckled T♥4♦.

The flop came Q♠4♥2♠, and Klaic led out with a bet of 600,000, which failed to shake off Miculik.

The 7♣ river was checked to the 3♠ river, and Klaic check-folded to a bet of 1,500,000 from Miculik.

Henrich Miculik – 27,000,000
Mario Klaic – 18,000,000

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 1,500,000 from the button with K♠9♦, and Mario Klaic called with 8♣7♠ in the big blind.

The Q♥8♠3♦ flop and 9♣ turn were checked to the 2♣ river, where Klaic check-called a bet of 2,000,000 from Miculik, to see he had been usurped on the turn.

Henrich Miculik – 26,000,000
Mario Klaic – 19,000,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 1,200,000 from the button with A♣3♥, and Mario Klaic defended 6♣3♦.

On the 8♣3♣2♥ flop, Klaic check-called versus a bet of 2,500,000 from Miculik.

The 7♦ turn and 5♣ river were checked through, and Miculik’s better kicker sent him the pot.

Henrick Miculik – 23,000,000
Mario Klaic – 25,000,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened to 1,200,000 from the button with 2♦2♣, and Marcus Skalicky defended 8♦6♦.

The dealer fanned a flop of A♥9♣2♠, giving Klaic a set.

Skalicky checked, and folded to a bet of 900,000 from Klaic.

Mario Klaic – 30,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 12,000,000

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 35: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Marcus Skalicky opened to 1,200,000 from the button with A♦9♦, and Mario Klaic and Henrich Miculik called in the blinds with 6♦4♦ and 8♦5♦ respectively.

On the 3♥3♠2♦ flop, Miculik led out with a bet of 2,300,000, which only Skalicky called.

The 7♠ hit on the turn, and Miculik promptly jammed with an overbet of 9,600,000, forcing a fold from Skalicky.

Henrich Miculik – 18,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 13,000,000

Marcus Skalicky

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened to 1,000,000 from the button with 4♥3♥, and Marcus Skalicky defended A♠9♣.

On the Q♥7♦6♦ flop, Skalicky check-called versus a bet of 600,000 from his opponent.

The 7♥ turn gave Klaic a flush draw, and was checked through to the 8♠ river.

Skalicky check-called versus a bet of 600,000 from Klaic, and took the pot with the board pair of sevens and his ace kicker.

In the next hand, Skalicky limped from the small blind with Q♣5♥, and Klaic knuckled T♣2♦.

Skalicky flopped trips, and turned a full house, on 8♦5♦5♣Q♦, but both players knuckled their options on both streets.

The 4♦ river gave Klaic a one-card flush, and he called a lead of 600,000 from Skalicky on the river.

The players have been sent on a 15-minute break.

Mario Klaic – 29,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 17,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 14,000,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Marcus Skalicky raised to 1,300,000 from the small blind with K♣T♣, and Mario Klaic produced a three-bet to 3,500,000 with J♣9♦ from the big blind.

Skalicky called to see the Q♠5♣5♦ flop, where he check-called versus a bet of 2,500,000 from Klaic.

The A♠ rolled off on the turn, and Skalicky check-folded versus an all-in overbet jam of 15,000,000 from Klaic

Mario Klaic – 27,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 17,000,000
Markus Skalicky – 15,000,000

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Marcus Skalicky opened to 1,000,000 with 5♣2♣ from the button, and Henrich Miculik and Mario Klaic called in the blinds with Q♣8♥ and Q♠9♣ respectively.

On the 7♦3♣2♠ flop, Miculik led out with a bet of 1,800,000, which only Skalicky called.

The A♦ hit on the turn, and Miculik double-barreled with a bet of 2,500,000, forcing a fold from Skalicky.

The stacks of the respective players are now very even.

Henrich Miculik – 19,000,000
Marcus Skalicky – 22,000,000
Mario Klaic – 18,000,000

Marcus Skalicky and Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened to 1,000,000 from the button with J♦9♥, and Marcus Skalicky defended 8♣6♦ in the big blind.

On the A♠4♦4♣ flop, Skalciky check-called versus a bet of 750,000 from Klaic.

The 7♠ rolled off on the turn, and was checked to the 2♥ river.

Skalicky led out with a bet of 1,800,000, and Klaic folded.

Marcus Skalicky – 25,000,000
Mario Klaic – 20,000,000

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 1,000,000 from the button with 6♥6♣, and Mario Klaic produced a three-bet to 3,000,000 from the big blind with A♣3♦.

Miculik snap four-bet jammed for 13,000,000, leading to a swift fold from Miculik.

Henrich Miculik – 17,000,000
Mario Klaic – 19,000,000

Marcus Skalicky

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 1,200,000 from the button with K♥T♣, and Markus Skalicky produced a three-bet to 2,600,000 from the small blind with 7♣6♣.

Miculik called to see the Q♠Q♣7♦ flop, where Skalicky continued with a bet of 1,700,000, forcing a fold from Miculik.

Markus Skalicky – 25,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 14,000,000

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Alexander Geischlaeger jammed from the button for 5,800,000, and Henrich Miculik called in the small blind.

Alexander Geischlaeger: A♣5♦
Henrich Miculik: A♥A♦

Geischlaeger put his head in his hands when he saw Miculik’s hand, and there was no unlikely escape on the T♠9♦5♥2♠2♦ runout.

Henrich Miculik – 16,000,000
Alexander Geischlaeger – 0

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 4/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Marcus Skalicky opened to 1,200,000 from the small blind with A♥5♣, and Mario Klaic defended with Q♣T♣.

The K♠4♣3♥ flop was checked through to the 5♠ turn, where Skalicky led out with a bet of 800,000, and Klaic called.

The 4♦ river completed the board, and Skalicky check-folded in the face of a bet of 400,000 from Klaic.

Marcus Skalicky – 21,000,000
Mario Klaic – 20,000,000

Peter Kadlec

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 4/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Peter Kadlec jammed from the small blind for 4,300,000, and was looked up by Marcus Skalicky in the big blind.

Peter Kadlec: K♥T♣
Marcus Skalicky: A♥T♦

Kadlec was dominated, and there was no assistance on the 6♦3♠2♣8♣3♦ runout, allowing Skalicky to increase his chip lead.

Marcus Skalicky – 23,000,000
Peter Kadlec – 0

Hassibullah Hafizi

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 5/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

After getting a jam through with ace-jack, in the next hand Hassibullah Hafizi moved all in from the cutoff for 5,200,000, and Mario Klaic rejammed from the small blind, isolating his opponent.

Hassibullah Hafizi: J♥T♥
Mario Klaic: A♣J♦

Hafizi was dominated, and he bricked the K♠7♥2♠Q♠T♣ runout, Klaic rivering an unnecessary broadway straight.

Mario Klaic – 19,000,000
Hassibullah Hafizi – 0

Daniel Georgiev

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 6/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 800,000 from the cutoff, and called a three-bet jam from Daniel Georgiev from the button for 2,400,000.

Daniel Georgiev: K♠T♠
Henrich Miculik: K♣J♥

Georgiev was pipped, but he hit the front on the Q♥T♣6♣ flop, and found two pair on the K♥ turn.

However the Q♣ rolled off on the river to counterfeit Georgiev in cruel fashion.

Henrich Miculik – 11,000,000
Daniel Georgiev – 0

Peter Kadlec

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Peter Kadlec moved all in for 2,100,000 from the hijack, and was looked up by Hassibullah Hafizi.

Peter Kadlec: Q♥T♠
Hassibullah Hafizi: K♣J♥

Kadlec needed help, and he found two pair, and dodged a turned wrap draw, on the Q♣2♥2♠T♦2♦ runout.

Peter Kadlec – 5,300,000
Hassibullah Hafizi – 4,200,000

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Henrich Miculik opened to 1,000,000 from early position with 9♠9♣, and Mario Klaic defended the big blind with K♥5♣.

On the Q♥T♦5♥ flop, Klaic check-called in the face of a bet of 1,200,000 from Miculik.

The 4♥ rolled off on the turn, and Miculik moved all in for 4,300,000.

Klaic took some time to think with his third pair and flush draw, but ultimately folded.

Henrick Miculik – 9,300,000
Mario Klaic – 13,000,000

SKALICKY MARCUS

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Marcus Skalicky opened to 600,000 with K♣J♠ from early position, and received calls from Mario Klaic with A♦Q♠ in the hijack and Peter Kadlec in the big blind with 5♣2♥.

Action was checked to Klaic on the K♥9♥9♠ flop, who slid out a bet of 650,000, which only Skalicky called.

The T♣ hit on the turn, and was checked through, as was the 3♣ river, and Skalicky took the pot with his two pair.

Marcus Skalicky – 19,000,000
Mario Klaic – 16,000,000
Hassibullah Hafizi – 7,300,000
Alexander Geischlaeger – 6,400,000
Henrich Miculik – 4,900,000
Daniel Georgiev – 3,400,000
Peter Kadlec – 2,300,000

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Alexander Geischlaeger opened to 700,000 from the button, and called a three-bet jam of 1,300,000 from Daniel Georgiev in the big blind.

Daniel Georgiev: A♥7♦
Alexander Geischlaeger: K♣4♠

Georgiev was ahead, and had Geischlaeger drawing almost dead after the A♦A♣3♠ flop, the 8♦ turn and 4♣ river confirming his double-up.

Daniel Georgiev – 3,500,000
Alexander Geischlaeger – 6,400,000

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened to 600,000 from the button with K♠K♣, and Henrich Miculik defended T♥4♥ in the big blind.

The A♠8♠4♦ flop was checked to the 6♥ turn, where Miculik check-called a bet of 600,000 from Klaic.

The 9♦ river completed the board, and Miculik check-called a bet of 300,000 from Klaic.

Mario Klaic – 17,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 5,000,000

Peter Kadlec

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Peter Kadlec opened to 700,000 from the cutoff, and Marcus Skalicky produced a three-bet to 1,800,000 from the small blind.

On the A♣K♥4♠ flop, Skalicky continued with a bet of 1,200,000, and Kadlec jammed for 9,600,000, and looked concerned when he received a snap-call from Skalicky, with Skalicky at risk.

Marcus Skalicky: A♠K♣
Peter Kadlec: 4♥3♥

Skalicky could barely have asked for a better spot, with top two pair against Kadlec’s bottom pair.

The Q♦ turn changed nothing, nor did the 8♣ river.

Kadlec has gone from chip leader to short-stack in rapid fashion.

Markus Skalicky – 17,000,000
Peter Kadlec – 3,200,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Peter Kadlec opened to 600,000 from early position, and called a three-bet to 1,500,000 from Mario Klaic on the button.

Kadlec called to see the K♥T♠3♣ flop, and check-called a bet of 1,200,000 from Klaic.

The 5♦ hit on the turn, and Kadlec check-called versus a jam of 4,600,000 from Klaic.

Mario Klaic: Q♠J♣
Peter Kadlec: J♠T♥

Kadlec was ahead with second pair versus Klaic’s wrap draw, but Klaic drilled the A♣ river to double.

Mario Klaic – 15,000,000
Peter Kadlec – 13,000,000

Peter Kadlec

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Daniel Georgiev opened to 600,000 from early position with J♣T♣, and received a call from Peter Kadlec in the hijack.

Alexander Geischlaeger was in the big blind, and he produced a three-bet to 1,700,000.

Georgiev folded, but Kadlec back-jammed for 9,700,000 total,and Geischlaeger called to create a huge pot between the two big stacks.

Peter Kadlec: 9♦9♣
Alexander Geischlaeger: A♦Q♦

Geischlaeger smashed the A♠J♦8♦ flop, with top pair and a flush draw.

However the 9♠ appeared on the turn for a two-outer to put Kadlec in front, and Geischlaeger thumped the table in fury.

He still had outs, but the 8♠ river gave Kadlec a full house, and a huge double-up. Geischlaeger was absolutely fuming with the outcome.

Peter Kadlec – 20,000,000
Alexander Geischlaeger – 6,700,000

Alexander Geischlaeger

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Alexander Geischlaeger opened to 600,000 under the gun with Q♦T♠, and called a three-bet to 1,400,000 from Daniel Georgiev in the hijack with A♥K♣.

Geischlaeger called to see the J♠J♦T♥ flop, where Geischlaeger check-called versus a bet of 700,000 from Georgiev.

The 3♦ hit on the turn, and Geischlaeger check-called versus a double-barrel of 1,400,000 from Georgiev.

The 8♦ hit on the river, and was checked through, Geischlaeger taking the pot with two pair.

Alexander Geischlaeger – 17,000,000
Daniel Georgiev – 3,200,000

SKALICKY MARCUS

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Marcus Skalicky opened to 600,000 under the gun with A♦J♦, and Hassibullah Hafizi defended 9♠7♥ in the big blind.

On the K♦7♦3♥ flop, Hafizi check-called with second pair versus a bet of 550,000 from Skalicky with the flush draw.

The 8♥ hit on the turn, and was checked through to the A♣ river, where Hafizi check-folded versus a bet of 1,200,000 from Skalicky.

In the next hand, Daniel Georgiev opened to 600,000 with Q♦J♣ from the cutoff, and Skalicky defended 5♣3♣ in the big blind.

On the K♥7♠3♠ flop, Skalicky check-called versus a bet of 550,000 from Georgiev.

The 6♥ turn and A♠ river were checked through, and Skalicky took the pot.

Marcus Skalicky – 7,400,000
Daniel Georgiev – 6,700,000
Hassibullah Hafizi – 7,500,000

Daniel Georgiev

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Peter Kadlec opened to 600,000 from under the gun, and was met with a three-bet jam of 3,200,000 from Daniel Georgiev in the big blind.

Kadlec snap-called to put Georgiev at risk.

Daniel Georgiev: A♣K♣
Peter Kadlec: A♦Q♦

Georgiev was in a dominating position, and flopped top pair on the K♠T♦8♠5♦T♥ runout, dodging straight and flush draws.

Daniel Georgiev – 7,200,000
Peter Kadlec – 10,000,000

Norbert Kerepesi

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 7/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Norbert Kerepesi jammed from the cutoff for 1,900,000, and was looked up by Mario Klaic, who rejammed from the button for 5,600,000, isolating his opponent.

Norbert Kerepesi: A♥8♣
Mario Klaic: A♦9♥

Kerepesi was dominated, and Klaic rivered a nine on the K♠Q♦3♥K♦9♣ runout to make two pair.

Mario Klaic – 8,000,000
Norbert Kerepesi – 0

Alexander Geischlaeger

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 8/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Peter Kadlec opened to 600,000 from early position with 6♠5♠, and Alexander Geischlaeger defended the big blind with K♦Q♦.

On the Q♦9♠2♦ flop, Geischlaeger check-raised to 1,600,000 versus a bet of 800,000 from Kadlec.

Alexander Geischlaeger – 13,000,000
Peter Kadlec – 14,000,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 8/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic limped under the gun with 2♠2♦, before Hassibullah Hafizi raised to 850,000 from the button with K♠K♣.

Short-stack Norbert Kerepesi was in the big blind, and folded 4♦4♥, and Hafizi followed suit.

In the next hand Hafizi opened to 500,000 from the cutoff with A♠7♠, and Mario Klaic jammed from the big blind for 4,600,000 with A♥J♦, forcing a fold from Hafizi.

Mario Klaic – 5,700,000
Hassibullah Hafizi – 8,900,000

Hassibullah Hafizi

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 9/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Hassibullah Hafizi limped from under the gun with T♠9♠, and Geischlaeger followed suit in the hijack with T♥9♥, while Peter Kadlec checked his option in the big blind with Q♠4♣.

On the J♣8♦4♦ flop, action was checked to Geischlaeger, who fired out a bet of 300,000.

Both of his opponents called to see the 2♦ turn, where action was again checked to Geischlaeger. He double-barreled with a bet of 600,000.

Only Hafizi called to see the 6♥ river, where Hafizi, led out with a bet of 1,500,000, getting Geischlaeger off a chop.

Hafizi Hassibullah – 9,600,000
Alexander Geischlaeger – 11,000,000
Peter Kadlec- 15,000,000

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 8/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Radoslav Herman got no action when he moved all in from under the gun for 2,100,000 with K♥K♦.

A few hands later, Henrich Miculik opened to 650,000 from the hijack, and called a three-bet jam of 2,100,000 from Herman on the button.

Hafizi Hassibullah folded T♦T♣ in the big blind.

Radoslav Herman: 6♠6♦
Henrich Miculik: J♠J♥

Herman had run into a better pair, and there was no two-outer on the 9♦7♠4♣K♠5♠ runout.

Henrich Miculik – 8,200,000
Radoslav Herman – 0

Henrich Miculik

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 9/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened to 500,000 from the button with 6♥5♥, and Henrich Miculik defended J♣T♣ in the big blind.

On the A♦J♠4♠ flop, Miculik check-called versus a bet of 350,000 from Klaic.

The 3♦ hit on the turn, and Miculik checked once more.

Klaic double-barreled with a bet of 800,000, and Miculik responded with a check-jam of 2,800,000, leading to a swift fold from Klaic.

Henrich Miculik – 5,700,000
Mario Klaic – 5,300,000

Alexander Geischlaeger

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 9/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Alexander Geischlaeger opened to 500,000 from under the gun with K♦J♠, and Mario Klaic defended 7♦2♥ in the big blind.

On the K♥T♥2♣ flop, Klaic check-raised to 1,200,000 versus a bet of 500,000 from Geischlaeger.

Geischlaeger immediately three-bet to 3,500,000, and Klaic folded.

Alexander Geischlaeger – 13,00,000
Mario Klaic – 7,100,000

Mario Klaic

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 9/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Mario Klaic opened 9♣8♣ from middle position, and Hassibullah Hafizi defended the big blind.

On the 9♥8♠3♥ flop, Hafizi check-called a bet of 500,000 from Klaic.

The J♦ hit on the turn, and Hafizi folded to a bet of 2,500,000 from Klaic.

Mario Klaic – 9,100,000
Hassibullah Hafizi – 6,500,000

Hassibullah Hafizi

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 9/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Alexander Geischlaeger made sets with pocket kings and pocket eights against Hassibullah Hafizi, but only got a street of value in each hand.

Henrich Miculik jammed a flop with a flush draw with his ten big blind stack, and got it through versus two opponents.

Geichslaeger then flopped bottom pair and a gutshot versus Norbert Kerepesi in a button versus big blind spot, which was checked through. Geischlaeger led out on the ace turn, and was met with a raise from Kerpesi with queen-high.

Geischlaeger called, and hit the straight on the river, but Kerepesi folded to his bet.

In this hand, Hassibullah Hafizi opened to 400,000 from early position with K♥J♣, and received a call from Alexander Geischlaeger in the cutoff with A♥T♠.

On the J♦5♥3♠ flop, Hafizi slid out a bet of 250,000, and Geischlaeger called.

The 7♦ hit on the turn, and Hassibullah double-barrled with a bet of 450,000, leading to a fold from Geischlaeger.

Hassibullah Hafizi – 7,700,000
Alexander Geischlaefer – 11,000,000
Henrich Miculik – 3,900,000
Norbert Kerepesi – 2,500,000

Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event Final Table

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 9/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

The seating draw and chip counts for the final table are below:

GEISCHLAEGER ALEXANDER and ALIN NORBERT TONTYA

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 9/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Alexander Geischlaeger jammed from the small blind for 6,200,000 with the covering stack, and Norbert Alin called off in the big blind for his 350,000 stack.

Norbert Alin: A♦5♣
Alexander Geischlaeger: J♣3♥

Alin was ahead, but Geischlaeger found top pair on the J♦6♠4♣ flop, and Alin could not reverse the position on the 2♦ turn or 5♦ river.

The tournament is now at the final table and the players have been sent on a 20-minute break.

Alexander Geischlaeger – 7,000,000
Norbert Alin – 0

Zdenek Svoboda

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 29: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 10/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Norbert Kerepesi opened to 300,000 from the cutoff, and was met with a three-bet jam from Zdenek Svoboda of 3,400,000 from the button.

Peter Kadlec was in the big blind, and rejammed, forcing out Kerepesi.

Zdenek Svoboda: A♠J♠
Peter Kadlec: K♠K♦

Kadlec had woken up with a monster, and there was no escape on the 9♠8♦2♦Q♣5♠ runout.

Kadlec has started the final day on fire, picking up huge hands at precisely the right time.

Peter Kadlec – 16,000,000
Zdenek Svoboda – 0

Sandor Rabi

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 29: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 11/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Sandor Rabi was all-in for 225,000 and at risk against Hasibullah Hafizi.

Sandor Rabi: K♠9♠
Hasibullah Hafizi: A♣T♦

Rabi needed help, but he whiffed the 7♦7♣4♥T♣Q♦ runout.

Hassibullah Hafizi – 8,200,000
Sandor Rabi – 0

Zdenek Svoboda

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 29: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 12/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Peter Kadlec opened to 350,000 from the hijack, and Zdenek Svoboda three-bet jammed for 1,800,000 from the big blind, and looked concerned when Kadlec snap-called.

Zdenek Svoboda: 4♠4♣
Peter Kadlec: A♠K♠

Svoboda found a set on the A♥T♠4♥ flop, but the A♣ turn gave Svoboda a sweat, despite improving to a full house. However the Q♦ river was a brick, sending Svoboda the double-up.

Zdenek Svoboda – 4,100,000
Peter Kadlec – 12,000,000

Marek Grinaj

Otto Hiebl

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 29: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 12/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Otto Hiebel moved all in for 1,300,000 from early position, and received a call from Peter Kadlec in the hijack, before Marek Grinaj jammed for 1,800,000 from the cutoff.

Kadlec made up the difference to create a three-way all-in scenario.

Otto Hiebel: K♠K♦
Marek Grinaj: K♣K♣
Peter Kadlec: A♦A♥

In an unbelievable cooler, it was two pairs of kings versus rockets.

The 9♣7♥3♦7♣6♠ runout brought no surprises, leading to a double knockout.

Peter Kadlec – 14,000,000
Marek Grinaj – 0
Otto Hiebel – 0

Hassibullah Hafizi

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 29: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 14/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

With 1,400,000 in the middle on a board of T♥7♥4♠7♠T♦, Hassibullah Hafizi led out with a bet of 450,000, and Markus Sklaicky folded.

Hassibullah Hafizi – 8,200,000
Markus Skalicky – 5,100,000

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 29: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 14/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Radoslav Herman opened to 350,000 from under the gun, and Hassibullah Hafizi defended the big blind.

On the K♦J♥3♦ flop, Hafizi check-called a bet of 450,000 from Herman.

The 5♥ hit on the turn, and Hafizi check-folded to an all-in bet of 1,850,000 from Herman.

Radoslav Herman – 2,200,000
Hassibullah Hafizi – 8,650,000

Marian Flesar

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 28: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 14/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

In the first hand of the day on the feature table, which was not captured by the stream, the short-stacked Marian Flesar moved all-in for 810,000, and was looked up by Alexander Geischlaeger in the big blind.

Flesar had ace-nine, Geischlaeger had queen-jack, and the runout came jack high.

Alexander Geischlaeger – 6,410,000
Marian Flesar – 0

Battle of Malta Slovakia Trophies

€400 Main Event Day 3
Level 28: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 15/1,510
Prize Pool: €402,840

Play is underway in the final day of the Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition. Stay tuned for all your coverage of the action, as we see who can lift the trophy and €51,400 first-place prize!

Hassibullah Hafizi

Chips flew in all directions on Day 2 of the Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event at Card Casino Samorin on September 13, with a Day 2 field of 185 players reduced to the final 15 combatants after thirteen 40-minute levels of play.

When play concluded after the elimination of the €220 Mystery Bounty winner Silviu Nemes of Romania in the last hand of the day, Hassibullah Hafizi of Austria (9,710,000) and Peter Kadlec of Slovakia (9,425,000) had opened up a significant lead over the rest of the field, with their closest challenger being Marcus Skalicky of Austria (4,820,000), and they will be the favorites to land the chunky €51,400 first-place prize in the final day.

Peter Kadlec

Hafizi and Kadlec have already secured career-best tournament scores, while Skalicky is a WSOP-C ring holder having taken the title in the Mystery Bounty event in Rozvadov in January 2025. Marian Flesar and Zdenek Svoboda appear to be the most experienced of the remaining players, with over $384,000 and $236,000 in recorded cashes respectively.

Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event Chip Counts Start of Day 3 Chip Counts

Play concluded with one minute left in Level 28, with blinds of 80,000/160,000 (160,000), and the full counts are set out below. The clock is increased to 50-minute levels for the final day.

Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition Main Event Day 3 Seating Draw

The seating draw for the final day is set out below, with Table 111 being the streamed feature table. The final day will be live streamed on Card Casino’s YouTube channel on a 30-minute delay, with commentary provided by Jason Glatzer of poker.pro, and our coverage will be synced with the stream to avoid spoilers.

The Day 3 seating draw is set out below:-

Remaining Payouts

All players have guaranteed a €3,200 payday, while a spot at the final table is worth €4,400, with the remaining payouts up for grabs as follows:

In addition, the final four will receive a €1,500 ticket to the WSOP Circuit event in Bratislava in February 2027, and fifth to ninth will receive a €1,200 package to the Battle of Malta in October. All prizes are deducted from the prize pool.

Recap of Day 2 Action

A total of 1,510 entries across nine starting flights created a €402,840 prize pool, and 185 players returned for Day 2 with a €700 minimum cash secured, but all with their sights firmly fixed on the €51,400 reserved for the champion.

They were led by Rudolf Kosa of Austria and Sergii Baranov of Ukraine, while Kadlec was sitting in fifth, and Hafizi was in the middle of the pack. Tthe action was fast and furious from the outset, with over 60 players sent to the rail by the first break, including Andrei Pocol, Ondrej Lon and Christoph Hillinger.

Kosa maintained his lead through the first two breaks, but ultimately came unstuck in 29th, shortly after Baranov and hometown hero Andrej Desset hit the rail. Radoslav Herman soared to the top of the standings when he spiked a two-outer to claim a double knockout, and he was joined by Austrian Mario Klaic by the time of the third break.

Radoslav Herman

Geischlaeger secured a crucial triple-up with a low pair, leaping out his chair and celebrating with passion when the river hit, and Skalicky was then the beneficiary of an aces versus queens cooler to vault up the standings.

The final three tables were set when Otto Hiebel disposed of Emil Trenkov, by which stage Flesar had moved into the lead. Thereafter, Hafizi and Kadlec started to catch some momentum to pull away from the field. Hafizi found a two-outer to bust Martin Sedilek. Kadlec then went to war with Nemes, doubling through him twice in successive hands to take the chip lead.

Klaic sent Petko Stamatov to the rail in 20th in a button versus big blind spot, before Hafizi disposed of Flesar with a turned full house.

A huge three-way all-in resulted in Marek Grinaj tripling up, and Hafizi busting Alexandru Popa in a more significant side pot, before Kadlec cracked ‘Bubo’ with a nut flush and Hafizi secured the elimination of Nemes to bring play to a close.

Ross Whitelaw Wins Second Chance One-Day Event (€4,560)

Ross Whitelaw

The penultimate side event of the festival, the €200 Second Chance event, attracted 115 entries creating a €19,000 prize pool, and it was Ross Whitelaw of the United Kingdom who took the trophy and €4,560 first-place prize, defeating Filip Lakatos of Slovakia heads-up. It caps a stellar week for Whitelaw, who also final tabled the High Roller.

The full results are as follows:-

Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition – Schedule, Monday, September 14

The final day of the festival also sees the final side event take place, with the €150 Closer kicking off at 5 p.m., featuring a 30,000 starting stack and 20-minute levels, and late registration is open until the start of Level 11.

Our coverage of the final day will kick off at 4.30 p.m. keeping in sync with the stream delay, so stay tuned for all your coverage of what is sure to be a thrilling finale to the Battle of Malta Slovakia Edition.