Day 1a

Antoine Talvard

The 2023 Battle of Malta Spring Edition €600 Main Event kicked off its first of five opening flights with a bang with 273 entries getting into the mix. It seems based on this alone that the €500,000 guarantee will be decimated but time will tell by how much.

The day ended Antoine Talvard parlayed his 25,000 opening stack into a massive pile of 691,000 in chips to end Day 1a with the chip lead. Talvard snagged the chip lead early in the day and never looked back. In the process, he ruined the Day 1a dreams of many players.

Meanwhile, old-school Italian poker legend Dario Minieri was in the house and advanced with the second most chips with 605,500. Minieri and Karev Tralla were going back and forth with both winning big pots against each other and other players at the table as well. Tralla built up his stack to 300,000 in chips but lost a bit of his stack after doubling two short-stacked players before losing a pot of more than 300,000 when his queen-ten suited didn’t get there against Minieri’s aces. At this point, it appeared possible for the first time that Talvard’s chip lead was in jeopardy but Talvard kept plugging away and should be able to sleep well after his amazing Day 1a performance.

Dario Minieri

There was a gap between these two players and the rest of the field. Pachalis Papadopoulos was the only other player to bag over 400,000, while Vitali Raffaele and Guilio Di Salvo were the only two other players to advance with more than 300,000. Several other players passed 200,000 to end the night including Francesco Ipogino, Rob Hendrikx, Fabio Peluso, Marcus Larsson, Egidijus Digrys, and Josef Gulas.

Players Advancing With More Than 200K on Day 1a

The Main Event action will resume at 1 p.m. tomorrow for the start of Day 1b. Both Arved and I wish y’all a good night and hope to see you back with us for all of your Battle of Malta updates tomorrow.

After all players bagged their chips, those are the official counts of the 41 surviving players:

Arbel Hason – Moments Before Disaster

Level 16: 2,500/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 41/273

After a few hands in hand for hand mode Arbel Hason was the first bubble boy of the Battle of Malta Main Event.

He was all-in with KXKX against Flaviano Cammisuli who was way behind with QXQX.

But the dealer fanned QX7X5X6X2X, giving Cammisuli a set to beat Hason.

All other players cheered as they already have a min-cash secured. The amount of the min-cash will be decided after all Day 1 flights are over.

Level 15: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 42/273

Karev Tralla had a stack of around 300,000 at one point. His stack has vanished with a good part of it going to old-school Italian poker legend Dario Minieri.

Tralla opened for 8,000 from middle position. Minieiri three-bet to 26,500 from the small blind. Tralla jammed for around 160,000 and Minieri snap-called.

Karev Tralla: Q♠T♠
Dario Minieri: AXAX

The 6X6X7X7X7X put a full house on the board. Tralla was playing the board but Minieri had a better full house with his rockets to win a massive pot near the end of Day 1a.

Both Rokas Asipauskas and Alberto Follador hit the rail shortly after Tralla to leave just 42 players remaining. Day 1a is hand-for-hand on the flight’s money bubble with players bagging chips when there are 41 players or less remaining in the field. All players that find a bag will automatically min-cash the Main Event at a minimum with the amount of the min-cash to be announced later in the Main Event.

Dario Minieri – 580,000
Karev Tralla – 0

Dario Minieri

Four-card enthusiasts had some fun earlier today with 41 entries creating a €6,816 prize pool in the €200 PLO Side Event.

Six players finished in the money before Amit Cohen and Doron Peretz agreed to a heads-up deal with both players collecting an equal prize of €2,080. However, Cohen will go down in Battle of Malta history as the champion of the PLO Side Event.

MAS Side Event Final Five

The €200 MAS Side Event attracted a field of 31 entries for a €5,006 prize pool. The action is down to the money with the final five players guaranteed at least a €400 payout. The winner will go home with a bigger top prize of €2,005.

Michael Cauchi, Dario Nittolo, Simone Gatto, Emir Jusuframic, and Tomasz Kardas are among the players in the money in contention for the title. Best of luck to the final five players!

Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 45/273

We rarely report hands without a showdown, but we just witnessed a rather unusual fold by Konstantinos Kertikidis.

We missed the action before and on the flop, but with 120k in the middle the board on the turn read Q♦J♣6♥2♣.

Konstantinos Kertikidis, who sat in the Small Blind, shoved 55k in the middle, leaving roughly 60k behind.

Rob Hendrikx, his opponent in the hand, quickly moved all-in for 96k. It was only 41k more for Kertikidis and he got fantastic pot odds. But he looked completely gobsmacked after the all-in and needed a couple of minutes. Eventually, he decided to fold and we are left wondering what he could have had.

Rob Hendrikx – 230,000
Konstantinos Kertikidis – 60,000

Konstantinos Kertikidis With a Huge Laydown

Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 46/273

Day 1a is just five players away from ending after Sergei Levin hit the rail in 47th place as follows.

Levin, who recently doubled through Karev Tralla before losing some of his stack soon after, jammed for 41,000 from under the gun. The action quickly folded around to James Mercieca in the small blind.

Mercieca paused for a few moments before he asked for a count. He tanked for another minute before he three-bet jammed for more than 100,000. Mindaugas Kriacuinas folded from the big blind and Levin needed a bit of help to stay alive on Day 1a.

Sergei Levin: 4♣4♥
James Mercieca: 9♥9♣

Levin hit the rail after his fours were unable to catapult past Mercieca’s nines on the 2♣K♠9♠Q♥7♠ runout. Meanwhile, Mercieca added to his stack after winning the pot with a set of nines.

James Mercieca – 165,000
Sergei Levin – 0

Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 47/273

Audrius Laimelis (in the middle)

Our chip leader Antoine Talvard was moved to Table 8 with over 600k chips.

After a player in middle position opened, he made it 20k from the button. In the Small Blind Audrius Laimelis moved all-in for 60k and after the initial raiser folded, the action was back on Talvard.

Talvard did some calculations in his head and eventually decided to call the all-in. He showed 6♠5♠. Laimelis had him crushed with A♥A♦. The board didn’t help Talvard enough as it came down KXQX5X8XJX.

Antoine Talvard – 570,000
Audrius Laimelis – 130,000

Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 48/273

Arbel Hason checked with the 4♠K♥T♦8♠ on the board after the turn before Fabio Peluso fired out for 35,000 into a pot of slightly more. Hason tanked for a couple of minutes before he folded.

“Nice hand,” Hason said to Peluso.

“Show your bluff,” another player at the table said to Peluso.

Peluso showed the A♥J♦ as he collected the pot.

“Balls of steel,” Hason said in what appeared to be admiration for his opponent’s play during the hand.

Egidijus Digrys and Erik Lindqwist

Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 48/273

While the bubble is looming, over at Table 10, the Swede Erik Lindqwist lost a blind vs. blind pot against Egidijus Digrys.

It was folded to Digrys in the Small Blind and he just completed the bet. Lindqwist checked.

Flop: A♣9♠8♥ – Digrys bet 4k and Lindqwist called.

Turn: 4♠ – Again Digrys bet, this time 15k, and again, Lindqwist called.

River: Q♠ – This time Digrys checked and Lindqwist fired a 27.5k bet. After some deliberation, Digrys called and tabled A♦3♦ for top pair, no kicker.

Lindqwist showed down 7♠6♣ for a whiffed straight draw.

Egidijus Digrys – 200,000
Erik Lindqwist – 70,000

Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 50/273

The Day 1a field is down to just 50 players and will conclude after nine more players hit the rail. We almost lost one player in Sergei Levin, but Levin doubled his stack against Karev Tralla as follows.

Tralla opened for 7,000 from early position before Levin jammed for 31,000 from the button. Tralla snap-called and the cards were turned over.

Sergei Levin: A♣K♦
Karev Tralla: 9♣9♠

“Ace-king can’t be your last hand,” Tralla said. “It’s not OK.”

Tralla thought about this a little differently after he fell far behind on the 2♠6♣A♥ flop.

“I need to have something to drink to turn that six into a nine,” Tralla said.

Levin recorded his double through Tralla after the T♠ turn and 4♠ river completed the board.

“You were lucky,” Tralla said to Levin. “I would have won if I was drinking during the hand.”

The players are on a break and we took a look at the largest stacks. Antoine Talvard is still in the lead with almost half a million chips, but several other players are also past the quarter million mark already.

OK, this American is showing his stars and stripes despite living in Lithuania for nearly 15 years with the title of this post as the Seventh Inning Stretch. This is a reference to baseball where fans are encouraged to “get up and stretch” during the seventh inning of a baseball game.

We are near the final stretch of Day 1a with still some play left. So, in a way, it is the seventh-inning stretch for the 57 players remaining in the field. So in a way, at least I found one similarity between baseball and poker as one is played on a field and one involves a field of players. We will let you decide which one is which.

We will be updating chip counts of the big stacks around the room during the break while the players will be back in action in 20 minutes.

Karev Tralla

Level 13: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 58/273

Karev Tralla (pictured above) has been actively trying to play big pots with Dario Minieri (pictured below). He has been overbetting pots at times and it appears the table took notice. However, Tralla was able to take advantage of his table image as follows:

The hand began simply enough with Ioannis Ioannou limping from the small blind and Tralla checking back his option from the big blind. Ioannou bet 3,000 on the K♣3♠A♦ flop and Tralla called. The 5♠ followed on the turn and Ioannou fired out a huge overbet of 40,000. Tralla jammed for heaps and Ioannou called off for around 100,000 in total.

Ioannis Ioannou: A♣8♥
Karev Tralla: 4♣2♥

“Whoa!” Tralla screamed loud enough for the entire room to hear.

Ioannou was left speechless when he saw he was drawing dead to Tralla’s wheel before stating: “I never meant the pot to get that big.”

The inconsequential J♦ river completed the board and Tralla was among the Day 1a chip leaders, while Ioannou will need to try again during one of the other opening flights this week if he wishes to advance to Day 2 and beyond.

Karev Tralla – 300,000
Ionnis Ioannou – 0

Dario Minieri

Antoine Talvard with a huge amount of chips

Level 13: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 60/273

Over at Table Four, Antoine Talvard has the chip lead in this flight so far. We just saw him increase his stack a wee bit against Bram Berkvens.

Talvard opened from UTG to 4k and Berkvens made it 12k from the Button. Talvard called and the flop came down T♠T♥5♦. Berkvens bet a very modest amount – 6k. Talvard called.

The 9♦ on the turn and the 4♣ on the river was checked by both players and Talvard tabled 7♠7♣ which was enough to take down the pot as Berkvens mucked.

Antoine Talvard – over 400,000
Bram Berkvens – 85,000

The €200 PLO Side Event attracted 41 entries to create a €6,816 prize pool. The action is in the money after Robert Zammit bubbled the tournament with the final six players guaranteed at least a €410 payout.

Jonathan Seller quickly hit the rail after that with the final five locking up at least a €510 payday with all players having their eyes on the €2,525 top prize.

Poland’s Przemyslaw Drab joins four Israelis including Amit Cohen, Doron Peretz, Yacov Poley, and Simon Steinberg in the five-handed battle. We will likely update the results on this event early tomorrow unless there is an early ending this evening.

PLO Side Event

Level 13: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 66/273

Audrius Laimelis min-raised the button. Manfred Sierke called from the small blind before Andrea D’Elia three-bet jammed for 17,000 from the big blind. Lamelis folded and Sierke opted to call for a heads-up showdown with D’Elia at risk.

Andrea D’Elia: K♣T♥
Manfred Sierke: Q♣J♠

Neither player connected with the 9♠4♠2♣ flop. D’Elia’s advantage in the hand extended significantly after his king paired on the K♥ turn. Sierke had four outs to a straight but he doubled-up D’Elia as the A♣ river wasn’t one of them.

Manfred Sierke – 85,000
Audrius Laimelis – 60,000
Andrea D’Elia – 40,000

Level 12: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 67/273

Over at Table Eight, Gianluca Modenese was down to 13k and moved all-in from early position with A♥K♥. It was folded to Audrius Laimelis in the big blind who quickly called with 5♥5♣.

The board came 4X3X8X4X9X – plenty of low cards and no help for Modenese’s Ace King in this classic race.

Audrius Laimelis – 105,000
Gianluca Modenese – 0

Race Winner Audrius Laimelis

Level 12: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 72/273

Damir Savio opened from early position before Noam Garama three-bet to 10,500 from the button. A player cold-called from the blinds before Damir Savio four-bet jammed for 86,100. Garama asked for a count before he called, while the player in the blinds folded.

Damir Savio: J♥J♦
Noam Garama: A♣K♣

Savio had a minor advantage in what was essentially a coin-flip situation. Garama paired his ace on the 7♣8♥A♠ flop and Savio lost his stack after not able to get a save on either the 5♣ turn or the 6♠ river.

“Nice hand,” Savio said to Garama. “Good game.”

Noam Garama – 265,000
Damir Savio – 0

Noam Garama

Level 12: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 77/273

With 10k in the middle after a raise and a call before the flop, the board showed Q♦J♣3♣.

Panteleimon Pontos moved all-in with A♣9♣ – a hopeful flush draw. Behind him, Dario Barone called with A♠A♥. Pontos had Barone barely covered and cheered the turn as it fell 4♣, giving him the flush. Barone was left drawing dead and left the tournament area after the river brought the inconsequential T♥.

Panteleimon Pontos – 65,000
Dario Barone – 0

Karev Tralla

Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 80/273

One of the more active players in the tournament is Karev Tralla, who’s battling at the same table as Italian poker legend Dario Minieri.

He just managed to double up against the Italian.

We didn’t catch the preflop action, but as we approached the table there were 12k chips in the middle and the board read 6♦3♦3♥.

Tralla moved all in from the big blind for 50k. Minieri wasted no time calling the overbet and tabled 2X2X for a tiny pair. Tralla had that beat with JXJX. Turn and river fell 6X7X – no help for Minieri who still has a decent stack, but helped Tralla back into the game.

Dario Minieri – 120,000
Karev Tralla – 112,000

Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 81/273

There was a massive pile of approximately 50,000 in the chips in the pot when Massimo Rizzoglio jammed over the top of a bet by Noam Garama for about 35,000 with the 2♣4♣9♦ already on the board. Garama snap-called.

“Aces?” Rizzoglio said.

Rizzoglio was correct as Garama turned over the A♣A♦ and Rizzoglio was left drawing to four outs with Q♣Q♥.

Neither the K♠ turn nor the 5♥ river saved Rizzoglio. Rizzolglio headed to the rail while Garama earned a huge pot with his aces.

Noam Garama – 190,000
Massimo Rizzoglio – 0

Noam Garama

Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 91/273

Ben Simon Yoram jammed for 3,800 from the small blind. The action paused on Nir Kastoriano before he asked for a count.

Yoram shrugged his shoulders to suggest it wasn’t much. The dealer counted Yoram’s stack and Kastoriano called shortly after.

Ben Simon Yoram: J♠2♠
Nir Kastoriano: Q♦7♣

Both players snagged a piece of the 2♥6♦7♠ flop with Kastoriano ahead with his top pair. The J♥ turn flipped the advantage over to Yoram and he just needed to fade five outs. However, the 7♦ paired the board on the river to improve Kastoriano to trip sevens and nearly the entire table including Yoram had a laugh over how the hand played out.

Nir Kastoriano – 40,000
Ben Simon Yoram – 0

Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 94/273

Players are back from dinner break which means late registration has been closed on Day 1a of the Main Event. The flight attracted an action-packed field of 273 entries with 94 players coming back with hopefully full stomachs hoping to survive the day.

Today’s Day 1a action will end when the field is trimmed down to 41 players. Each of the survivors will earn a min-cash of an amount to be announced later in the Main Event.

Best of luck to all of the remaining Day 1a players!

The dinner break of the Main Event is winding down. After the break is over, players can no longer enter Day 1a of the Main Event. They can enter another event that recently began instead in the €200 MAS Side Event.

This event is a fun turbo-charged affair with players starting off with 20,000 in chips and blinds increasing every 15 minutes.

Other players will be waiting for the €70 Main Event Super Satellite which is about to begin in a few minutes. This is a fun accumulator event where players can get into tomorrow’s Day 1b for a fraction of the €600 buy-in.

Best of luck to all of the side event and satellite players!

Antoine Talvard’s Impressive Day 1a Stack

After the first ten levels are played we have a new chip leader. Antoine Talvard managed to gather a staggering 300,000 stack (pictured above) – 12 times the starting stack.

No other player is even close to that.

The late registration is still open until after the dinner break which will last until roughly 10pm. We’re currently at 92 / 271 entries.

Those are the eyeballed counts of all the big stacks:

Antoine Talvard

Players are on a 75-minute dinner break. While the blind level will go up in number when the action returns, the blinds themselves will not as it will be Groundhog’s Day at the Battle of Malta with a repeat of blinds at 600/1,200 (1,200).

Meanwhile, we will update the biggest stacks from around the room sometime during the dinner break. Bon appétit!

Level 10: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 98/269

With 17,000 chips already in the middle we arrived at Table 10.

The hand was at the turn and the board showed J♦8♦7♥A♠

Two players were still involved in the hand. One of them was Koen Meutstege who was under the gun. He bet 4,000 and his opponent, Mishe Mimony called the bet.

The river fell A♥. Meutstege considered betting but eventually checked. Mimony checked behind.

Meutstege tabled Q♥T♥ for a missed gutshot. Mimony had that beat with a pair with his J♣T♠.

Moshe Mimony – 75,000
Koen Meutstege – 55,000

Konstantinos Kertikidis

Level 10: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 100/268

Table 9 features two Greek players with big stacks in Dimitrios Kilintaris and Konstantinos Kertikidis. The duo were just battling it out in the following hand.

Kilintaris bet 6,500 into a pot of a bit more with the T♦3♦8♥J♥ on the board after the turn. Kertikidis jacked it up to 20,000 and Kilintaris tanked for a couple of minutes before he called.

Kilintaris checked after the A♥ river completed the board. Kertikidis paused for about a minute before he reached for his chips. It appeared he was about to bet somewhere between 25,000 and 40,000 but we will never know as Kilintaris prematurely mucked his hand before an official bet was released by Kertikidis.

Konstantinos Kertikidis – 160,000
Dimitros Kertikidis – 130,000

Gytis Lazauninkas

Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 110/266

This reporter traveled over from Vilnius, Lithuania, where he has called his home for the past 14 years. During this time, many in the Lithuanian poker community have shown me their love and I try to give my love back whenever possible.

There were literally about 40 Lithuanian poker players on my flight to Malta a couple of days ago. This is easily a record for me, despite traveling non-stop to report and commentate on events around Europe. We learned on the flight, that Gytis Lazauninkas was responsible for a lot of the crew traveling as we were told at the time that he brought 18 players.

“I actually brought 28 players from my stable,” Lazauninkas shared.

This explains why there are so many Lithuanian players in the field although we did notice a few others that definitely aren’t staked by Lazauninkas.

Lazauninkas thanked us for being around for the following hand where he said we gave him some luck. We would like to thank him instead for bringing many from the active Lithuanian community over to the majestic island of Malta for the iconic Battle of Malta.

Meanwhile, onto the poker action. Five players were still in the hand when the 5♥T♦8♥ hit the flop. Sergio Scalzo open-jammed for around a pot-sized bet of 17,000. Lazauninkas called and the rest of the table folded.

Sergio Scalzo: T♥9♥
Gytis Lazauninkas: 8♠8♦

Lazauninkas was ahead at this point but the table began to get a little noisy after Scalzo improved to a flush on the Q♥ turn.

However, the 5♦ paired the board on the river to improve Lazauninkas to a full house and send Scalzo out the door on a rollercoaster of a hand.

Gytis Lazauninkas – 60,000
Sergio Scalzo – 0

Meanwhile, the first flight of the Mystery Bounty Event came to an end. Below are the chip counts.

Leading the pack with an impressive 320,000 chips is the indomitable Shmuel Hadad, with Alessandro Cislaghi hot on his heels, boasting a formidable 310,000 chips.

While the intense Day 1b of the Mystery Bounty Event continues to unfold, all players can catch their breath before the thrilling Final Day, scheduled for tomorrow at 8 PM.

Check out the chip counts after the heart-pounding Day 1a:

Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 115/261

Over at Table 10 Grigoris Kyriazi just got all his chips in the middle against Rokas Asipausas.

After a raise, reraise, and shove, both were all-in before the flop for 38k each.

Grigoris Kyriazi: A♣K♦
Rokas Asipausas: T♠T♥

The board ran out TX4X4X8XAX. With his flopped full house Asipausas took out Kyriazi and is among the chip leaders now.

Rokas Asipausas – 110k
Grigoris Kyriazi – 0

Josef Gulas

Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 123/261

We’ve gotten to know Josef Gulas a little bit over the years as we have traveled to many of the same events. The name may sound familiar if you do not know who exactly we are talking about as his son Josef Gulas Jr. won the 2021 WSOP Europe Main Event for €1,276,712.

Gulas shared that his son isn’t in town as he is already in Sin City on the massive grind of poker’s prestigious summer camp. We wish him the best of luck there while his father may not need our wishes of luck here in Malta as he is off to a hot start in the Main Event.

Gulas recently jammed into a pot north of 20,000 with the 3♥K♣T♠2♣9♠ on the board from the big blind. Yonni Fleishman paused for a few moments before he called off his stack, which was near a starting stack of 25,000.

“Two pair,” Gulas instantly announced before a second later turning over the T♥3♠.

Fleishman attempted to muck his hand but the dealer pulled it out of the muck and turned over the A♦K♦ before Fleishman headed to the rail.

Gulas was among the chip leaders after the hand while Fleishman still has time to get back into Day 1a if he so chooses.

Josef Gulas – 170,000
Yonni Fleishman – 0

One of the things the Battle of Malta is known for are its entertaining and informative introductions every day before the start of all of the opening flights for the Main Event. Patricia Rimfire and Jack Bonora put together our first video of the week about the festival’s grand opening in both English and Italian.

While the players are on the break, we eyeballed their chips and those are the top counts:

Players are on their third 20-minute break of Day 1a. The blinds will increase to 500/1,000 with a 1,000 big blind ante before moving up to 600/1,200 with a 1,200 big blind ante after that.

A 75-minute dinner break will take place after these two levels and late registration will close after the dinner break. Then we will have a second level of 600/1,200 with a 1,200 big blind ante before blinds increase again after that until the day ends when the action is down to just 15 percent of the field.

Simone Lombardo

Level 8: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 141/257

There was 15,000 in the pot and the A♠5♠4♦ on the board when Humberto Galindo check-raised a bet of 3,400 by Simone Lombardo to 10,500.

Lombardo called and Galindo fired out for 9,500 on the 9♣ river. Lombardo went into the tank for close to a minute before he jammed for about 35,000. Galindo snap-folded and Lombardo was awarded the pot.

Simone Lombardo – 70,000
Humberto Galindo – 40,000

Level 8: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 141/257

At table 18, we just witnessed a rather large pot that saw Rotem Sahar (pictured in front) double up through Dylan Cechowski (pictured next to the dealer).

We didn’t quite catch the action before the flop, but there was a raise, call, reraise and another call with Cechowski in early position and Sahar in the cut-off. Before the flop was dealt, roughly 25k chips were in the middle.

Flop: T♥6♥5♦

Cechowski bet 8.5k and Sahar called.

Turn: 4♥

Now Cechowski checked and Sahar moved all-in for 20k.

After some deliberation, Cechowski called the all-in, which left him with almost no chips.

Showdown:

Rotem Sahar: T♦T♠ for a set
Dylan Cechowski: A♦6♦ for an ill-timed bluff catcher

The 9♠ on the river changed nothing.

Rotem Sahar – 82k
Dylan Cechowski – 8k

Antoine Talvard

Level 8: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 147/252

Hassan Nima four-bet to 12,000 from the cutoff and was called by Antoine Talvard from the big blind. Talvard check-called a bet of 5,500 on the 3♥5♣J♣ flop by Nima before both players opted to check the K♣ turn.

Talvard paused for a few moments after the J♥ river paired the board before betting 15,000. Nima tanked for about a minute before he let go of his hand.

Nima was stoic throughout the hand but showed a good sense of humor after.

“I had a flush this time,” said Nima with a massive smile. “Just kidding. I had absolutely nothing. Really nothing.”

“I was catching you,” Talvard said in a friendly tone.

Antoine Talvard – 75,000
Hassan Nima – 50,000

Hassan Nima

Level 7: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 156/252

Ilyaev Raul opened from MP to 1,600. In the CO Leonardo Berti called and on the Button Stanislas Fridman called as well.

The flop came down 7♥6♦5♥ and after the initial raiser checked, Berti bet out 2.6. Fridman folded and Raul called the bet.

The 8♦ turn was checked by Raul and now Berti bet 2.8k. Raul called.

The 6♥ river was checked by both players and Raul turned over K♥T♥ for a rivered flush. Berti mucked his cards.

Ilyaev Raul – 70,000
Leonardo Berti – 20,000

Roberto Cilia

Level 7: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 156/250

Stanislovas Vinicenka effectively jammed into a pot of more than 20,000 with the K♥7♠3♥A♣9♠ on the board. Roberto Cilia paused for about 25 seconds before he called off his stack of 16,800.

Vinicenka turned over the A♦K♠ for top two pair. Despite being a strong hand, it wasn’t strong enough as Cilia doubled through Vinicenka after turning over the 3♠3♦ for trips.

Roberto Cilia – 55,000
Stanislovas Vinicenka – 10,000

Level 7: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 155/244

Guilio Di Salvo bet checked with the 3♣9♦5♣6♥A♣ on the board before Nikolaos Zacharakis bet 6,000 into a pot of near 20,000. Di Salvo tanked for close to two minutes before he called.

“Nice hand,” Zacharakis said as he turned over the K♠T♣ before Di Salvo turned over his cards.

Di Savlo turned over the Q♣Q♠ to win the pot and leave his opponent short on chips. Zacharakis lost the rest of his stack of around a dozen big blinds shortly after this hand.

Guilio Di Salvo – 85,000
Nikolaos Zacharakis – 0

We counted the big stacks during the break. Apostol Beg is the current chip leader with over 115k chips.

Players are on a second 20-minute break. Blinds will increase to 300/600 with a big blind ante of 600 before progressing to 400/800 with a big blind ante of 800. There will be another 20-minute break after these two levels. Then two more blind levels will be played before players will head on a 75-minute dinner break. Late registration will remain open for any fresh entries or re-entries into Day 1a and will close when cards are back in the air for Level 11.

Level 6: 200/500 (500)
Entries: 153/232

Tomasz Kokoszka jammed for about 10,000 into a pot of a bit more with the Q♥5♣8♦5♦9♣ on the board after the river. Apostol Beg quickly called and the cards were turned over.

Kokoszka turned over the 9♦4♦ for a bricked flush draw and two pair with nines over fives. His stack went over to Beg with the Romanian showing 7♠5♠ for trip fives to win the pot.

If Beg isn’t at the top of the leaderboard at the moment, he is very close. However, there is a break approaching and we will get more accurate chip counts of the players with the biggest stacks during this time.

Apostol Beg – 120,000
Tomasz Kokoszka – 0

Level 6: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 153/229

Over at table 10 we just witnessed David Kozma double up his small stack.

He opened from middle position with 7♥7♣ and found one caller with Rokas Asipauskas in the big blind.

Flop: 6♠4♥3♠ – After a check Kozma bet 1.2k and Asipauskas called.

Turn: 8♦ – Now Kozma bet 3.5k and again Asipauskas called.

River: 5♠ – After another check, David Kozma moved all-in for his last 10k chips. Rokas Asipauskas didn’t need long to decide to call.

Asipauskas turned over A♥9♥ for a hero call with ace high – not good enough against Kozma’s straight.

Rokas Asipauskas – 70,000
David Kozma – 32,000

Matthew Micallef

Level 6: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 160/227

Matthew Micallef jammed for 13,5000 over the open by Leonardo Berti. Raul Ilyaev cold-called before Berti folded.

Matthew Micallef: J♦J♥
Raul Ilyaev: T♦T♠

Micallef’s tens held up on the 4♦Q♣9♥7♣K♥ runout to double his stack instead of hitting the rail.

Matthew Micallef – 35,000
Raul Ilyaev – 20,000

Level 5: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 167/221

Traian-Niko Gemanariu is among our chip leaders and just added some more chips to his stack.

With K♠T♦ he saw a flop against Joshua Stewart. The board showed A♠T♠T♥. After a bet and call, 4,500 chips were in the middle.

The 6♠ on the turn was checked by both and on the 4♠ river Gemanariu bet out 1,200 with his newly found flush. Stewart eventually called, but called after Gemanariu showed his hand.

Traian-Niko Gemanariu – 80,000
Joshua Stewart – 25,000

Level 5: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 168/219

Stephen Connor check-called a bet of 6,500 by Konstantinos Kertikidis into a pot of around 13,000 and the 4♠2♥4♣5♣ on the board after the turn. Both players checked after the J♣ river brought three clubs on the board.

Connor turned over the A♦K♥.

“Nice hand,” Connor said to Kertikidis as he turned over the Q♥Q♠ to win the hand.

Traian-Nike Germanariu

Level 4: 100/300 (300)
Entries: 166/207

James Paris checked with the 8♣9♦6♠9♥3♦ on the board before Traian-Niko Gemanariu bet 6,500 into a pot of around 13,000. Paris jammed for 16,500 and Germanariu tanked for two minutes before he called.

Paris turned over the 8♠6♥ for a flopped two pair. However, his two pair was counterfeited on the turn and Paris was on the rail after Germanariu turned over the T♠T♥ for a better two pair.

Traian-Nike Germanariu – 75,000
James Paris – 0

Level 4: 100/300 (300)
Entries: 167/202

The Day 1a field has grown to more than 200 entries and counting with late registration not closing for a while until the start of Level 11.

A total of 35 of those players already found the rail including Nimi Cohen is already on his fourth bullet of the day. The rest of the players appear to be on their first or second Day 1a entries but this will quickly change as many players will take more risks on a Day 1a than they will later in the event.

Level 4: 100/300 (300)
Entries: 160/182

Massimo Bruno check-called a bet of around half the pot of 3,500 by Vincenzo Zitelli with the K♥T♥8♦T♠ on the board after the turn.

The 3♦ river completed the board and Bruno checked again. Zitelli jammed for 3,500 and Bruno snap-called. Bruno turned over the K♣2♥ for the top pair. This got the job done as Zitelli was on the rail after showing his Q♥6♥ for a bricked flush draw.

Massimo Bruno – 40,000
Vincenzo Zitelli – 0

During the first break, we eyeballed all the big stacks. This is our list of the players with the most chips after the first three levels:

Level 3: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 153/173

Players are on their first break with 20 entries not making it through the first three blind levels despite the deep stacks in play. Blinds will increase to 100/300 with a 300 big blind ante when the action resumes in 20 minutes.

We will update some of the biggest stacks from around the room on Day 1a during each break including this break.

Level 3: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 155/171

Kazimieras Sileikis jammed for 17,000 into a pot of slightly more with the 4♣2♦K♠8♦7♠ on the board after the river. William Gritz went into the tank for a few moments before he called.

Sileikis turned over the K♣K♦ for a set of cowboys. Gritz attempted to muck his hand but Yvonne Stiedl, who was also at the table, pointed out to the dealer that it was an all-in situation that warranted both hands to be turned over. The dealer quickly grabbed the cards from the muck and turned over the two pair held by Gritz with 8♥2♥.

Gritz still had about 7,000 after the hand but he lost that as well shortly after and will have to re-enter today if he wishes to bag chips for Day 2 through the Day 1a flight.

Kazimieras Sileikas – 55,000
William Gritz – 0

Level 3: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 153/163

There was more than 5,000 in the pot when Andrea Agnoletto bet 3,300 with the 4♦2♠A♠7♠ on the board after the turn. Nikolaos Zacharakis called and the 8♣ river completed the board. Agnoletto quickly checked. Zacharakis bet 5,000 and Agnoletto tanked for about a minute before he called.

Zacharakis turned over the 6♥5♠ for a straight. Agnoletto was almost definitely ahead before the river and shook his head while mucking his cards.

Nikolaos Zacharakis – 45,000
Andrea Agnoletto – 22,000

Demos Demosthenous

Level 2: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 148/155

The Day 1a field has already blossomed to 155 entries with 148 players in their seats a little more than midway through Level 2. Demos Demosthenous is one of the players off to a hot start after the following hand.

Marco Basta opened for 400 from early position and was called by Dario Barone from the cutoff before Rotem Sahar raised to 1,600 from the small blind. Demos Demosthenous cold-called from the big blind as did both Barone and Sahar for four players to see the 5♦J♠7♠ flop.

Sahar fired out for 1,800 and was called by Demosthenous before Basta jacked it up to 6,100. Barone and Sahar folded before Demosthenous called.

Both players checked after the 2♦ turn before Demosthenous led out for 9,100 on the 3♠ river. Basta tanked for a moment or two before he opted to call. Demosthenous turned over the 7♣7♥ for a set to win the hand against Basta who turned over his A♦J♥ for the top pair. Basta was short on chips after the hand and dusted the rest of his stack off shortly after.

Demos Demosthenous – 60,000
Marco Basta – 0

Level 2: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 147/153

With a few more minutes on the clock in the 2nd level, we already lost 6 players. The players that have to re-enter if they want to continue in their quest to capture the trophy are

• Nimi Cohen
• Dario Nettolo
• Meir Shafian
• Mohamed Ramadan
• Lavi Haim
• Tanel Evert

Liran Derei Moshe

Level 2: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 133/1142

Players are excited about the start of the €500,000 guaranteed €600 Main Event at Casino Malta. One player in Liran Derei Moshe is a self-proclaimed King for the day as he dressed to the part.

One player nearby said that Moshe was the “King of the Burgers” perhaps referencing Burger King. However, maybe he had a different king in mind or just wants his kings to hold for big pots.

We wish Moshe the best of luck in his day as a King regardless of his intentions. Either way, we do know he is in Malta to have fun today.

Today’s game is all about survival until only 15% of the field remains standing. It’s an intense battle where every player fights tooth and nail for a chance to secure a spot in the money and advance to Day 2.

Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride as we go through approximately 16 to 19 levels, with each level lasting a thrilling 40 minutes. The action will be non-stop, with players strategizing and making bold moves to stay in the game.

By around 9pm, as the tension builds, we’ll give our fierce competitors a well-deserved break—a 75-minute dinner break to refuel and recharge. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, share stories, and prepare for the intense action that lies ahead.

Today’s structure:

Main Event Structure

Level 1: 100/100
Entries: 114/117

Amir Assal bet 1,100 into a pot of around double this with the Q♦5♦A♣5♣ on the board after the turn and was called by both Meir Shafian and Stefano Castiglione.

More action came after the 9♦ river completed the board. Assal bet 2,500. Shafian called before Castiglione jammed for 22,000. Assal folded and Shafian asked for a count before calling a couple of minutes later.

Shafian turned over the T♦7♦ for a flush but got out of his chair after Castiglione showed the A♠A♦ for the full house. Shafian then soon got back into his chair after discovering he still had crumbs in his stack.

Stefano Castiglione – 55,000
Amir Assal – 25,000
Meir Shafian – 1,400

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 111/113

With the first minutes being played, we already have two players out the door – Tanel Evert and Lavi Haim Sorry, we didn’t catch the hands as we just got a coffee to get us started. But we’re happy to report that we have over 100 players in the field already and many more are at the registration desk, getting their tickets.

Here’s what the players are playing with:

25,000 Chips

• Black: 100
• Pink: 500
• Yellow: 1,000
• Blue: 5,000

Level 1: 100/100 
Entries: 93/93

Day 1a has already blossomed to 93 entries and will continue to grow until late registration is closed at the end of Level 10.

Stefan Aerts, Stephen Connor, Tanel Evert, Marcus Larsson, and Karev Tralla are among the players in action.

At precisely 1pm, the electrifying Battle of Malta commences, filling the air with anticipation and excitement. Patrisha Rimfire, our charismatic presenter, kicks off the proceedings with a vibrant ceremony, warmly welcoming all the players. And just like that, we dive headfirst into the action-packed whirlwind of the first two events!

Get ready for an exhilarating ride as Day 1a of the Main Event takes center stage. But that’s not all — brace yourselves for the adrenaline-pumping journey of the €200 Mystery Bounty tournament, as its first starting flight kicks off alongside the main event. This thrilling tournament will unfold over two captivating starting flights, ensuring non-stop thrills and surprises at every turn!

Today marks the beginning of the Battle of Malta Spring 2023 edition with Day 1A, and the poker enthusiasts are eagerly gathering at the stunning venue in the Intercontinental Hotel, ready to showcase their skills and strategies. The air is filled with anticipation as players from all walks of life converge to test their mettle and vie for the prestigious championship title.

At the stroke of 1pm, the first cards will be dealt, signaling the commencement of this thrilling competition. The tournament organizers have structured the gameplay with 45-minute levels, ensuring that players have ample time to make their moves and engage in intense battles on the felt. Regular breaks, occurring every 2 to 3 levels, provide a chance for players to catch their breath, reevaluate their tactics, and prepare for the next phase of the contest.

As the sun begins its descent, a dinner break awaits the participants, allowing them to replenish their energy and exchange tales of poker prowess with fellow competitors. This momentary respite offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on the exhilarating battles fought and plot strategies for the remainder of the tournament.

Late Registration remains open until the Dinner Break, ensuring that even those who are fashionably late can still join in the thrilling action. With several hundred players expected to grace the tables today, the competition promises to be fierce, with each participant vying for their share of the substantial prize pool.

At the end of the day, we will witness the culmination of Day 1A, with only the top 15% of the field advancing further in the tournament. These skilled survivors will secure their place in the money and continue their quest for poker glory in the subsequent days of the event.

But fret not if you miss out on Day 1A, as there are three more starting flights to come! Tomorrow and Saturday will welcome new waves of players, injecting fresh energy and strategies into the arena. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, two turbo flights, one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday Morning will provide an intense and accelerated version of the game, catering to the fast-paced enthusiasts.

So, buckle up, poker aficionados, as the Battle of Malta kicks off today. Prepare to witness exhilarating moments, daring bluffs, and strategic maneuvers that will define the destiny of these skilled players. Stay tuned for our live updates, memorable hands, and the emergence of a true poker champion as we embark on this extraordinary journey together.

• Full Schedule of the 2023 Spring Edition of the Battle of Malta
• Structure Sheets