Day 2

On Sunday at the Battle 2025 Battle of Malta Spring Edition another busy day of poker action played out. The Eden Arena was the setting for both the final flight and the second day proper of the €500k guaranteed Main Event.

There were multiple event taking place once again at Casino Malta and it was also the day of the players party, which took place at The Eden leisure complex, where fun and games topped the bill.

The early starting Day 1e turbo began super early in the day, at 10 am. A further 37 players out of the 242 who joined the flight, made it into the money. Clement Kerrien bagged the largest stack of 815,000, capturing the €5,000 bonus prize in the process.

Gaetano Moribundo posted the second largest stack (609,000), with Aristeidis Aftias in third (533,000). The UK’s Terry Jordan had only just arrived in Malta, but safely booked his spot in Day 2 with a stack of 373,000.

2025 Battle of Malta Spring Edition Day 1e chip leader Clement Kerrien

Flaviano Cammisuli Takes Huge Overnight Lead Day 2 of the Main Event

With a towering 4.4m in chips, Italian Flaviano Cammisuli commands a massive lead over Jannik Bentsen on 2.675m. The UK’s Terry Jordan sits in third with 2.6m. Four of the five starting day chip leaders also progressed into Day 3, with only Chmielowski failing to secure his continuation.

The day began as expected, with a period of rapid machine gun fire that quickly cut the field down in size. By the first break of the day almost 100 of the 233 who began the day had fallen and many jumped straight into the High Roller.

By the end of play just 58 players remained in the hunt for the €120,000 top prize.The full chip counts of all Day 2 survivors can be found here.

There were some big hands reported on, details of which can be found in Saturday’s blog coverage. Play resumes at 1pm on Monday, when they will play down to 27 players.

Amazingbet High Roller Day 1

The third of the three marquis events at the Battle of Malta Spring Edition is the Amazingbet High Roller with a €1,100 buy-in. It has a regressive structure, which requires a little explanation. What this means is that the clock gets rolled back several levels at the start of Day 2, effectively re-opening registration, allowing more players to join for the first 2 hours of play.

By the time level 12 had been completed, 49 of the 122 entrants had safely negotiated their passage into Day 2, which resumes on Monday at 3pm. The chip leader on 372,000 is Fabio Fatone, who is over 100,000 ahead of Thomas Simmons, who bagged 268,000. James Paris (194,700) and the UK’s Alex Todd (69,000) and Daniel Samson (65,200) also guaranteed their continuation on Monday.

There’s a further satellite taking place at 11am on Monday morning for anyone who fancies joining the event on Day 2.

Side Events

The Novibet Ultradeep is the slowest structured and best value side event of the festival and great value with a €220+€20 buy-in. Mark Selgeveer took the top prize of €8,420, after a relatively lengthy heads up battle against Piers Furnace, who banked €5,730 for his efforts. With 190 entries, this was one of the busiest side events of the week.

Sunday’s Omaha offering was a 4/5 Card version with a €220(€200+€20) buy-in. It was won by Andre Matthes for €2,850. Local resident and Belgian national Soner Vanelderen’s 4th place finish was his third of the festival in non-Hold’em events.

The €150 Hyperturbo was won by Milad Gami for €2,250 after he defeated Yavor Yankov heads up.

Mark Selgeveer (left), winner of Novibet Ultradeep, with runner up Piers Furnace, who looks much happier than the winner

Party Time!

Sunday was also party day at the Battle of Malta and a very fun evening of bowling, darts and karaoke was had by all. OK, so not everyone participated in the Karaoke, which is probably a good thing, judging by the tone deafness of some of those who entered the sing-a-long booth. The drinks were in free flow all night and there was even a cameo appearance by Telly Bartolo, in a shark costume.

As we know that poker players are competitive, a little competition was held, where teams of six players participated in bowling and darts competitions. I was lucky enough to be on the winning team and contributed three strikes to the team effort. I had already returned to continue reporting on the Main Event when the winning team was announced and didn’t even find out until after I had made it home.

Player Party at The Eden

Presumably, all players in Day 2 of the €600 Battle of Malta Main Event 2025 arrived to the venue today with a good feeling; they were all in the money, and now, the fight would continue.

After all the Day 1 flights, the numbers reveals that the 2025 Battle of Malta has been – and still is – a very appreciated live poker event. 1,542 entries created a €776,397 prize pool, with the first-place payout being €120,000. Without a doubt, there’s both a lot of money and prestige on the line.

Cammisuli Leads the Field

233 players entered Day 2, all of them being guaranteed a €1,000 min-cash. Many players were short-stacked and right from the get-go, player started busting out from the tournament like dominoes fall.

Out of the five players who finished each Day 1 flight as the chip leaders – Nicolaj D’Antoni, Krzysztof Chmielowski, Shai Biner, Benoit Kuhn, and Clement Kerrien – it’s only Chmielowski who didn’t survive and make it through to Day 3.

The overwhelming chipleader going into tomorrow’s Day 3, however, is Flaviano Cammisuli. Bagging an impressive 4,400,000, the captain will resume play with 147 Big Blinds.

Day 3 will set afoot at 13:00 local time, and play will not stop until the 58 players still alive have been reduced to 27. The first level of the day will be Level 22: 15,000/30,000 (30,000). It’s also worth mentioning that the levels now will be 75 minutes long.

We’re eager to follow tomorrow’s action from the Main Event, and we’ll hope to see you there!

Level 21: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 59/1,542

Day 2 has concluded. 59 players are bagging their chips and will return to Day 3, tomorrow at 13:00.

We will soon be back as soon as possible with chip counts.

Level 21: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 62/1,542

Adrian Ziemichod during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

From the Cut-off, Ole Roed went all in for 210,000. Giovanna Dimartino only called from the Button, before Adrian Ziemichod went all in from the Big Blind for roughly 1,500,000. Dimartino folded; Roed and Ziemichod turned over their hands.

Ole Roed: Q♦T♥
Adrian Ziemichod: A♣K♣

The board was Q♠K♦A♦4♦7♠. As Ziemichod collected the pot, Roed bid farewell and went to collect his €1,800 paycheck.

Adrian Ziemichod: 2,300,000
Ole Roed: 0

Level 21: 10,000/25,000 (25,000)
Entries: 69/1,542

Oscar Arezzo during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

From UTG+1, Oscar Arezzo went all in for 245,000. The current chip leader, Terence Jordon, made the call from the Small Blind.

Oscar Arezzo: K♦T♦
Terence Jordon: J♥J♣

The flop 7♣J♦5♦ guaranteed excitement, and the full board spelled out 7♣J♦5♦9♦8♣ which secured Arezzo a crucial double-up.

Terence Jordon: 4,300,000
Oscar Arezzo: 520,000

The rate of bust outs has now slowed down, with the remaining 71 players all eyeing up a place in Day 3, as they are now on the final level of the evening. This is the latest batch of former participants:

The fourth episode of the Battle of Malta’s daily talk show dropped on Saturday. In this show Glenn and Jason are joined by Alex Todd and his girlfriend Becky for some poker chit chat, a beer and a game of Jenga. Enjoy!

Level 20: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 71/1,542

Agostino Catanese during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Emmanouil Asgoudakis made it 50,000 from the Hi-jack. Agostino Catanese raised to 105,000 from the Button, before Antonio Gregorio went all in for 290,000 from the Small Blind. Asgoudakis folded, but Catanese made the call.

Antonio Gregorio: T♦T♣
Agostino Catanese: A♥J♥

The board 7♠A♦J♠6♠7♥ favored Catanese and as such, Gregorio was sent to the rail and collected his €1,550 paycheck.

Agostino Catanese: 1,500,000
Antonio Gregorio: 0

With most of our focus being on the Day 2 of the Main Event and the additional distraction of the players party, we’ve barely had a chance to catch up with what else is going on at Casino Malta and the Eden Arena at the Intercontinental Hotel in St Julians. Here’s a brief look around at what else is going on at the midnight hour.

Amazingbet High Roller

The €1,100 Amazingbet High Roller is now on level 10 with 62/119 players remaining. Registration will close at the end of this level and they will play two more before bagging up for the night. However the twist in this format, which is known as a regressive one, is that when play restarts on Sunday, the clock will be rolled back to the beginning of level 8, which will then re-open registration for the first 2 hours of Day 2.

For those who’s still like to join this event, there’s currently a satellite running for it, which has 84 entries so far and is still taking entries until 1.50am. It should generate at least 11 seats into the High Roller.

Novibet Ultradeep

The slowest structured and best value tournament of the festival was well supported today with 190 entries in the €220+€20 event. There are still seven players left on the final table and they’re battling away for the €8,420 first prize.

PLO 4/5 Card

Today’s PLO was a 4/5 Card version with a €220 (€200+€20) buy-in, which attracted 50 entrants. It was won by Andre Matthes for €2,850. Congratulations sir! Anthony Napolitano finished second for €2,060 and a very honourable mention goes to Soner Vanelderen whose 4th place finish was his third of the festival in non-Hold’em events.

Hyperturbo

Sadly I’m still working right now and unable to defend the title I scooped last night in this event. It is still running with 10 of the 64 who began left in and all in the money. It won’t take long for this one to conclude.

The player party is currently underway at The Eden (across the road from the Casino Malta) with a team competition still ongoing. Teams of six players compete to see which team can post the highest score in 10-pin bowling, followed by the lowest number of darts to get from 301 to 0.

Player Party at The Eden

Needless to say, poker players largely seem more skilled at bowling than darts. But both are a lot of fun and the free bar is still flowing. Yes, if you want a free drink now is the time to make your way over, as the soiree will end at 1pm (maybe).

Although there are no prizes for it, there is also a karaoke machine, for those brave enough to give their vocals a limber. Ear protectors are also available on request.

Today’s talk show was also recorded at the venue today. Rumour has it that a certain luck-box joined them for a chat about his Hyperturbo victory last night.

Talk Show Recording at the Player Party

Another pay jump has come and gone and these latest departees all leave with €1,360.

Level 19: 10,000/15,000 (15,000)
Entries: 87/1,542

Federico Cirillo during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Gabriele Callo limped from UTG, prior to Federico Cirillo raising to 70,000. Then, from the Button, Massimo Rizzoglio went all in for 122,000. Callo folded, but Cirillo made the call.

Massimo Rizzoglio: 8♠8♣
Federico Cirillo: 7♥7♣

Things looked good for Rizzoglio, but, Cirillo hit quads on the 2♦3♣7♦T♥7♠ board. Unfortunate for Rizzoglio who busted and was sent to collect €1,550.

The remaining 87 players are now enjoying a 20-minute break. While they grab a cup of joe, we’ll identify some of the biggest stacks in the room and come back to you as soon as possible.

Federico Cirillo: 1,800,000
Massimo Rizzoglio: 0

Level 19: 10,000/15,000 (15,000)
Entries: 92/1,542

Emanuele Pandetta during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Aristeidis Aftias raised to 30,000 from the Lo-jack, prior to Michael Snelders moving all in for 150,000 from the Hi-jack. When action came to Emanuele Pandetta on the Small Blind, he decided to only call Snelders. Aftias folded and it was showdown time.

Michael Snelders: A♥8♥
Emanuele Pandetta: J♦J♠

The board 2♥9♦8♣K♣Q♠ wasn’t helpful enough from Snelders perspective. He busted in place 93 and received €1,550 for his feat.

Emanuela Pandetta: 905,000
Michael Snelders: 0

Level 19: 10,000/15,000 (15,000)
Entries: 95/1,542

Adrian Ziemichod during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

After an initial opening from Adrian Ziemichod for 30,000 from early position, Peter Jaksland went all in for roughly 200,000 seated on the Button. Ziemichod made the call.

Peter Jaksland: A♦9♠
Adrian Ziemichod: A♣K♥

No help for Jaksland on the J♦8♦4♥T♥6♥ runout. As Ziemichod’s stack grew even bigger, Jaksland headed off to collect €1,360.

Adrian Ziemichod: 1,200,000
Peter Jaksland: 0

Level 19: 10,000/15,000 (15,000)
Entries: 108/1,542

Marco Coccone during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Anargyros Loizos opened to 30,000 from UTG. S8 called from the Lo-jack, and so did Georgios Garnelis from the Button. Then, from the Big Blind, Marco Coccone went all in for 485,000. Action folded back to Garnelis who took his time, looking up to the big tournament information screen in order to make the correct decision. Eventually, Garnelis made the call being the player at risk.

Marco Coccone: K♠K♣
Georgios Garnelis: 7♥7♦

In an almost humoristic way, the dealer slapped down the flop on the table, only revealing the 7♣ in the window. He then spread the cards out revealing K♦A♥7♣. “Si”, Coccone said as the turn 6♠ was dealt. “Si si si si”, he continued and the river came 5♠. “Si”, Coccone ended his monologue as Garnelis went to collect his €1,360 payout.

Marco Coccone: 950,000
Georgios Garnelis: 0

The latest crew of unlucky hopefuls to exit stage left all left the Eden Arena with €1,180 for their efforts.

Fallers at this hurdle included Giulio Spampinato (143rd) and Joris Ruijs (128th).

Level 18: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 110/1,542

Attila Szucs during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Vincenzo Pinna opened to 25,00 from the Lo-jack. Sebastian Gruszczynski decided to go all in for 232,000 from the Cut-off. Possibly, to Pinna’s surprise, Attila Szucs re-shoved from the Button. Pinna folded and Gruszczynski was the player at risk against Szucs.

Sebastian Gruszczynski: T♣T♥
Attila Szucs: A♣K♣

There are worse boards for ace-king than A♥J♦K♥7♦A♠; Szucs stacked Gruszczynski as the latter headed to the payout booth on a mission to collect €1,360.

Attila Szucs: 950,000
Sebastian Gruszczynski: 0

Level 18: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 121/1,542

Robert Perelman during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Daniel Näsman opened to 24,000 from the Button, prior to Robert Perelman going all in for 199,000 from the Small Blind. Then, seated in the Big Blind, Giovanni Caggia decided to re-shove for roughly 1,000,000. Näsman folded and the two warriors went to showdown.

Robert Perelman: A♥Q♣
Giovanni Caggia: A♠K♥

“I’m gonna record, he’s gonna record, and you’re gonna record”, Perelman said to this live reporter who indeed opened up the camera on my phone. A miracle on fifth street for Perelman as the board ran out 6♠8♣6♥4♣Q♦. He lives to see another day in the Main Event.

Robert Perelman: 435,000
Giovanni Caggia: 683,000

Level 18: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 123/1,542

Ioannis Tsakiris during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

The board read J♦4♣8♥Q♥ with roughly 110,000 in the middle. After an initial check from Alessandro Amenta, Christopher Rogers bet 30,000. Ioannis Tsakiris called, and so did Amenta.

On the river 3♠, action was checked to Tsakiris, who bet 50,000. Amenta folded, and Rogers released a heavy sigh as he made the call.

Ioannis Tsakiris: A♠Q♦
Christopher Rogers: Q♠T♠

The superior kicker saw Tsakiris taking home the pot.

Christopher Rogers: 1,400,000
Ioannis Tsakiris: 750,000

Level 18: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 129/1,542

Terence Jordon during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

On the flop 4♦7♣6♥, Giuseppe Di Bella went all in for 110,000, contending for the 75,000 already in the middle. Terence Jordon decided to make the call.

Giuseppe Di Bella: 6♦6♣
Terence Jordon: 8♦T♠

To Di Bella’s misplease, the full board ran out 4♦7♣6♥9♣J♣, giving Jordon the straight. Hence, Di Bella was sent home with €1,180.

Terence Jordon: 1,200,000
Giuseppe Di Bella: 0

The 135 remaining players in the Battle of Malta Spring Edition are now on a 20-minute break, having completed two full levels of play. They will play six levels in total this evening. Chip counts of the leaders to follow shortly.

The next batch of former participants have now had their poker carcasses removed from the tournament floor. Meanwhile their souls have each collected €1,070 from the payout desk.

One of the first to depart once the money had edged up a little was James “Grogsy” Grogan, who fell in 181st place. He had returned with just over a starting stack, one of the shortest to make it into Day 2. Former Main Event Winner Daniel Barone saw his dreams of becoming a double champion shattered as he left the battlefield in 168th.

Jonathan Wong (167th), James Paris (151st) and Karina Ruiz (144th) also departed the tournament, just in time to hit the party!

Level 17: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 152/1,542

Sokratis Oikonomou during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

From the Hi-jack, Alastair David went all in for 119,000. Sokratis Oikonomou re-shoved from the Button and the two players turned over their cards.

Alastair David: A♣T♣
Sokratis Oikonomou: 5♥5♦

The flop K♦Q♣2♥ gave David additional outs. The 7♣ on the turn made his chances even better, but the 3♦ was a brick, and he was eliminated in place 153 for €1,070.

Sokratis Oikonomou: 700,000
Alastair David: 0

There’s Telly, he’s the boss, always dashing around like the most enthusiastic firefly that ever lived, Diane, the steady logistics guru, Marcello staff organiser extraordinaire, Andy legend of a TD, Jason, our media mogul of sorts and Andrii, fixing problems at record pace to keep the show ticking along.

But all of them, to a man (or woman) know first and foremost one of the most vital necessities in this poker life, is the know how to throw a party! Scatter!

We’ll see you at The Eden from 9pm until 1pm, where there’s a bowling and darts comp for all to enjoy. Karaoke for those who are brave enough to belt out a classic and food a drinks that will stream like the rivers of honey and gold that they say flow in heaven.

But watch out, you may think that attending the party is an escape from the sharks on the poker tables at Casino Malta, however there are rumours that some might gatecrash the party.

Level 17: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 163/1,542

Kevin Houghton during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

At Table 18, a three-way all in preflop between Daniel Poluk, Kevin Houghton, and Chasan Koula went down in dramatic fashion.

Daniel Poluk: A♦K♥
Kevin Houghton: A♥A♣
Chasan Koula: Q♣Q♦

“Hold”, Houghton instructed the flop as it introduced itself as J♣5♦3♠. “Hold”, he continued on the 4♣ turn. “We hold”, he announced as the board completed with 5♠.

Kevin Houghton: 800,000
Daniel Poluk: 500,000
Chasan Koula: 200,000

Level 17: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 174/1,542

Sokratis Oikonomou during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

From the Lo-jack, Krzysztof Chmielowski opened to 16,000. Sokratis Oikonomou (Hi-jack), Antoine Talvard (Small Blind), and Sebastian Mortensen (Big Blind) all called.

The four players checked on the 4♣2♦5♦ flop. The Q♥ fell on the turn, and when action came to Chmielowski, he bet 38,000. Oikonomou was the only one to make the call.

On the river 3♥, Chmielowski bet 16,000, and Oikonomou chips for a call reached the middle before Chmielowski’s did.

Krzysztof Chmielowski: 5♥5♣
Sokratis Oikonomou: A♠Q♦

The two of them exchanged some friendly banter as Oikonomou was awarded the pot thanks to his straight.

Krzysztof Chmielowski: 850,000
Sokratis Oikonomou: 470,000

As soon as “shuffle up and deal” been uttered, the machine guns began firing and the attrition rate started to ratchet upwards. Within a level of the restart, fifty poker corpses were littering the battlefield floor. Their €1,000 min cashes may help to bring them back to life again someday and try again, on another poker battlefield.

Palina Mankevich was the first player to hit the rail and one of 13 to be eliminated in the first five minutes of the day. It took less than an hour for the field to be reduced to 183, when the payout nudges up ever so slightly to €1,070.

Gary Fisher (210th), Mark Anthony Vella (208th) and James Stephens (193rd) were amongst those to see their tournament lives fizzle out.

As the high roller went underway, Philip Pearson had a side bet dedicated to charity going all in blind the first hand of the high roller. Not one to leave his friend hanging, Killian Desnos tagged along for the fun.

After two early players shoved all in, Desnos made the call and the three players revealed their hands.

Killian Desnos: J♣8♠
Under the Gun: A♦K♠
Big Blind: K♦K♥

The board ran out 7♣8♣8♦7♠Q♦ for Desno’s to send the two players to the rail

Killian Desnos: 120,000

Closely behind, Philip Pearson moved all in from early position and a late position player made the call. Both players revealed their holdings.

Philip Pearson: 7♠2♣
Late Position: J♣J♥

Pearson used one of his many lives as he caught the 2♦Q♠4♣K♠7♣ for a rivered two pair.

Philip Pearson: 80,000

Level 16: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 185/1,542

Salvatore Agliozzo during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Egils Upitis moved all in for 121,000 from the Cut-off. Action folded to Salvatore Agliozzo in the Big Blind, who made the call comfortably.

Egils Upitis: K♠K♥
Salvatore Agliozzo: A♥K♣

Upitis Main Event dreams came to an end on the turn, as the board spelled out 6♠8♠4♣A♦6♥. He was sent to the rail, collecting €1,000.

Salvatore Agliozzo: 590,000
Egils Upitis: 0

Level 16: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 199/1,542

Indre Vos during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

From the Small Blind, Ingird Vos opened to 25,000. Daniel Heredi was seated in the Big Blind and raised to 75,000. Vos made the call.

Vos then proceeded by checking on the 3♦Q♣6♣ flop. Heredi bet 50,000, only to be forced all in by Vos for roughly 150,000. Heredi made the call fairly quickly.

Ingird Vos: Q♠6♠
Daniel Heredi: K♠K♥

Vos flopped big, and Heredi didn’t improve on the 3♦Q♣6♣9♠A♦ runout. He busted in 200 and headed to cash €1,000.

Ingird Vos: 1,100,000
Daniel Heredi: 0

Level 16: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 213/1,542

Marius Negrescu during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Daniele Degennaro opened to 16,000 from the Cut-off, and Marius Negrescu, seated in the Big Blind, was the sole caller.

The flop came 5♠2♠J♠, and Negrescu checked to Degennaro, who continued for 20,000. Then, Negrescu went all in for 94,000.

Degennaro was visibly uncomfortable and contemplated his decision for a long time. “Do you want me to call?”, he asked Negrescu, who responded with an affirmative nod. Eventually, Degennaro threw in the chips for a call.

Marius Negrescu: Q♠8♠
Daniele Degennaro: T♣T♦

Negrescu had Degennaro in rough shape, and the full board 5♠2♠J♠A♠3♣ didn’t see Degennaro improving.

Marius Negrescu: 272,000
Daniele Degennaro: 110,000

The clock has now been restarted for Day 2, with all 233 remaining players now back in action. But it won’t stay that way for long, as they are expected to start hitting the rail right from the start.

Before play began there was another screening of the welcome video, after which Glenn Brown warmed up the crowd with a rousing speech, announcing that the winner of the Battle of Malta Spring Edition will collect €120,000 once its all done and dusted.

Tournament Director Andy Tillman then uttered the immortal “shuffle up and deal,”  after which the chips started flying.

The prize breakdown has now been confirmed and the winner of the Spring Edition will walk away with €120,000. Here are the splits of what they’re playing for.

Day 2 Begins at the Battle of Malta Spring Edition

The Battle of Malta Spring Edition is now set to move into Day 2 and all 233 remaining warriors are now preparing to face off once again on the poker battlefield. The total number of entries has been confirmed as 1,542. The prize pool is €776,397 and the breakdown will be revealed before Day 2 begins at 7pm.

Before play begins there will be another showing of the intro video on the 27m video wall that looms over the tournament floor. We’ll be following the action throughout the day, delivering the story of how the day unfolds.

We’re expecting a lot of early casualties, with up to a third of the field expected to lose their tournament lives during the first couple of levels. The exits will be fast and furious, but we’ll try to keep up.