Day 1ab

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition Welcome Speech

Casino Malta was absolutely packed to the rafters yesterday, May 28, for the first full day of the Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition. The atmosphere was electric, and chips flew in all directions, with no fewer than six tournaments completed, along with two satellites, and two trophies awarded.

Konstantinos Dimadis and Jaroslaw Falkowski topped the respective standings in the first starting flights of the €700,000 guaranteed Main Event to lead 37 qualifiers, while Oriol Romero and Sebastian Czajka achieved the same feat in the Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty starting flights, with the €100,000 guarantee smashed, and the final flight still to come.

The first trophies were also awarded, with Clint Sammut taking down the PLO 4 Card, and Andreas Bjerklund emerging as the White Night champion.

Another huge day of action awaits, with the final flight and Day 2 of the Siege of Malta taking center stage, while two further flights of the Main Event are on the menu, in addition to three side events.

Days 1a-1b €600 Main Event Recap

Sebastian Mortensen

A total of 285 entries were gathered across the first two flights, superb numbers considering many players will have decided to start their schedule with the Siege of Malta, and 37 players bagged and tagged for Day 2.

Konstantinos Dimadis of Greece (585,000) topped the standings in Day 1a from Ronen Avraham of Israel (550,000) and Pole Dominik Wochnik (535,000), while Jaroslaw Falkowski of Poland (533,000) led five qualifiers from Day 1b.

The full counts are listed below:-

Day 1a Counts

Day 1b Counts

Two further flights take place today. Day 1c kicks off at 1 p.m. and features a 40,000 starting stack for a €600 buy-in, with the clock set to 40-minute levels, and play continuing until 15% of the field remains, while Day 1d is a €300 buy-in, where players receive a 20,000 starting stack, the clock is set to 20-minute levels, and 7.5% of the field qualify for Day 2.

Days 1a-1b €300 Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Recap

Swarms of players descended on the Eden Arena for a shot at a mystery bounty bankroll boost, with 592 entries logged across the first two flights, smashing the €100,000 guarantee.

The prize pool currently stands at €153,920, with 89 players qualified for Day 2, and the final flight kicking off at noon today, May 29.

Spaniard Oriol Romero (512,000) led the way in Day 1a from Miika Toeyraes (399,000) and Italian Antonio Russello (392,000), while Sebastian Czajka (523,000), Alberto Galluzzo (436,000) and Dimitrios Apostolidis (427,000) of Italy, Poland and Greece respectively made up the podium places in Day 1b.

Antonio Russello

Day 1a Counts

Day 1b Counts

Day 2 qualifiers will reconvene at 8.30 p.m. on May 29, where play will continue until a champion is crowned, with mystery bounties in play from the start of Day 2.

Clint Sammut Wins €250 PLO 4 Card (€2,900)

The first trophy of the Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition was awarded to Clint Sammut of Malta, who defeated a 49-entry field to bag the €2,900 first-place prize, with local legend Joe Grech in third. The €10,133 prize pool was split between the top seven finishers.

Joe Grech

The full results are below:-

Andreas Bjerklund Wins €250 White Night (€4,300)

A 71-runner field created a €14,683 prize pool, and Andreas Bjerklund of Norway emerged triumphant, banking €4,300 after defeating Antoan Katsarov of Bulgaria heads-up.

The full results are below:-

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition Schedule – May 29 2026

Another huge day of poker action awaits. The Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty final day takes center stage, while mixed game aficionado’s will be intrigued by the PLO Masters 4,5,6 card, with a Bounty Hunter Days event also on the menu.

We will be on the floor from 1 p.m, and the Battle of Malta’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram channels will also be bringing you all the big moments from the event, so stay tuned for all your coverage of the Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition.

Sebastian Mortensen

Main Event Day 1a
Level 16: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 32/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Hand-for-hand was just about to commence. However, there was still a hand in progress at Table 1.

The board read K♥T♦J♥2♥ with roughly 60,000 in the middle. Yevhen Zhdanov (Big Blind) checked to Sebastian Mortensen, who bet 45,000. After some consideration, Zhdanov moved all in for what looked to be just shy of 100,000. Mortensen made the call as fast as the speed of lightning.

Yevhen Zhdanov: K♣J♠
Sebastian Mortensen: 7♥5♥

Zhdanov didn’t improve to a full house on the 4♦ river, and that settled it. Zhdanov became the unfortunate bubble boy, while the remaining players could breathe a sigh of relief; they’re now the first bunch of people to qualify for Day 2.

Sebastian Mortensen: 310,000
Yevhen Zhdanov: 0

Philip Pearson

It’s also funny to mention that Philip Pearson was involved in another hand at the same time at a different table. Action folded to him, and he moved all in for 42,000 on the Button. Jacek Pustula made the call from the Big Blind.

Philip Pearson: J♦7♦
Jacek Pustula: K♦Q♦

In all the years he has attended the Battle of Malta, Pearson had never made Day 2 of the Main Event; this was his sixty-sixth bullet. It wasn’t looking good, and tings weren’t exactly looking better on the Q♠T♥8♣. Miracles do happen, though; the board completed with 7♠9♥, giving Pearson a straight. He managed to bag 110,000 for Day 2.

That wraps up Day 1a of the prestigious €600 Battle of Malta Main Event, as well as today’s live coverage. Day 1a attracted 214 entries, and 32 lucky contestants found a Day 2 bag. Day 1b should wrap up soon as well; the turbo flight scored 71 entries, and five lucky contestants will advance.

The editorial office will soon return with the Day 1a chip counts. The Day 1b chip counts will be uploaded tomorrow around noon. That is also the case for the chip counts from Day 1b of the €300 Mystery Bounty “Siege of Malta”.

Tomorrow’s live coverage will commence at 13:00, when Day 1c of the Main Event kicks off. See you all then.

Mystery Bounty Day 1b
Level 19: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 49/326
Prize Pool: €144,685

Roughly 10 minutes into hand-for-hand play in Day 1b of the €300 Mystery Bounty “Siege of Malta”, Alejandro Asenjo min-raised to 24,000 from the Cut-off. Jussi Julkunen then moved all in for exactly 200,000 on the Button. Simone Spina then re-shoved from the Big Blind, having Julkunen just covered. Asenjo mucked his hand, and the two contestants were soon given the green light to table their holdings.

Jussi Julkunen: K♥Q♠
Simone Spina: A♣T♣

The J♣2♠9♠ flop brought some excitement. The board completed with 9♣4♦; ace high was good enough for Spina, and Julkunen became the unfortunate bubble boy.

The chip counts from the second Mystery Bounty flight will be posted tomorrow. For now; back to Day 1a of the €600 Main Event.

Simone Spina: 485,000
Jussi Julkunen: 0

Battle of Malta Summer Edition 2026

Main Event Day 1a
Level 16: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 41/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

The remaining 41 players in Day 1a of the €600 Main Event are currently on the last break of the day, set to soon resume play on Level 16. Below are the biggest stacks in the room.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 15: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 44/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Action folded to Sofiene Bezzah in the Small Blind. He forced Krystian Nalepka (Big Blind) all in for 47,000 in total. Nalepka peeked at his hole cards, one at a time, then made the call.

Sofiene Bezzah: J♦6♦
Krystian Nalepka: A♦7♣

Nalepka was ahead by a small margin, but it was Bezzah who claimed the lead on the 6♠T♦8♣ flop. “A nine is a very good turn,” Nalepka urged the Poker Gods. Instead, the turn was the 3♦, giving Bezzah a flush draw and therefore killing some of Nalepka’s out. The T♥ river ultimately sealed the deal, and Nalepka was eliminated minutes before what is going to be the last 15-minute break of the day.

Sofiene Bezzah: 260,000
Krystian Nalepka: 0

Main Event Day 1a
Level 15: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 53/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Action folded to Robert Krzywina, who opened to 11,500 on the Button. Tomas Hrstka then moved all in for 85,000 from the Small Blind. Krzywina did spend a minute or two before he decided to make the call.

Tomas Hrtska: A♠K♠
Robert Krzywina: Q♦Q♣

Big Slick versus pocket queens; it isn’t the first time in poker this hand occures. The 6♣8♦6♦9♥T♦ offered a clean runout for the ladies, and Hrtska was eliminated from Day 1a.

Robert Krzywina: 280,000
Tomas Hrtska: 0

Battle of Malta Summer Edition 2026

Main Event Day 1a
Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 53/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Nigel Hartwell limped the 3,000 Big Blind from UTG. Philip Pearson (Hi-jack) and Shaun Decesare (Button) both made the call, before Oliver Mihajlovski moved all in for 70,500 from the Small Blind. Pearson was the sole caller.

Oliver Mihaljovski: A♠Q♣
Philip Pearson: 7♠7♦

It was a classic coin flip confrontation. Mihaljovski took a solid lead on the 3♠A♦5♥ flop, and Pearson wasn’t able to catch up on the 6♠2♥ runout.

Oliver Mihaljovski: 153,000
Philip Pearson: 83,500

Main Event Day 1b
Level 11: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 23/71
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

In Day 1b of the €600 Main Event, 23 players are remaining out of the 71 registered entries. Considering 7,5% of the field will make it through to Day 2, five players will find the bag eventually.

Mystery Bounty Day 1b
Level 15: 2,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 98/326
Prize Pool: €85,485

Day 1b of the €300 Mystery Bounty “Siege of Malta” is currently on Level 15 with 98 players remaining. Forty-nine of them will qualify for tomorrow’s Day 2, making those 40 who advanced from Day 1a (and those who’ll make it through tomorrow’s Day 1c flight) company. Day 2 will kick off tomorrow (May 29) at 20:30.

Jean-Pascal Vernet

Main Event Day 1a
Level 13: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 57/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Alessandro Assaloni opened to 6,000 from the Lo-jack. Jean-Pascal Vernet then three-bet to 15,000 from the Small Blind, and Assaloni made the call.

Vernet continued on the aggressive path with a 21,000 bet on the 7♣3♣T♥ flop, and Assaloni made the call. Vernet checked the 5♦ turn, and Assaloni then moved all in for 50,000 on the dot. Vernet made the call without hesitation.

Alessandro Assaloni: J♦J♠
Jean-Pascal Vernet: K♥K♣

Vernet was way ahead, and the 2♦ river sealed the deal. Assaloni was eliminated, while Vernet added valuable chips to his stack.

Jean-Pascal Vernet: 209,500
Alessandro Assaloni: 0

Main Event Day 1a
Level 13: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 66/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Seated UTG+1, Shaul Weinstein opened to 4,000. Fairly short-stacked Erik Lindqwist then moved all in for 32,000 from the Hi-jack. Action eventually came back to Weinstein, who made the call without hesitation.

Erik Lindqwist: A♦J♠
Shaul Weinstein: A♠K♣

Lindqwist was in rough shape, but he took a commanding lead on the J♦5♠5♣ flop. The board completed with A♣2♠; Lindqwist and Weinstein basically switched places in the chip counts.

Erik Lindqwist 68,000
Shaul Weinstein: 30,000

Main Event Day 1a
Level 13: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 73/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

It’s time for the fourth break for the Day 1a players, and it’s a 15-minute one. Soon, they will resume play on Level 13. Below are the biggest stacks in the room as of now.

Philip Pearson

Main Event Day 1a
Level 12: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 75/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

The board read K♦K♠5♥7♣Q♦ with roughly 75,000 in the middle. Philip Pearson (Small Blind) had checked it over to Salvatore Esposito (Hi-jack) who bet 65,000. After spending perhaps three-four minutes in the tank, Pearson ultimately made the call.

Salvatore Esposito: 9♠6♦
Philip Pearson: 8♥8♦

A sublime call under pressure from Pearson, who now plays a very respectable stack.

Philip Pearson: 242,000
Salvatore Esposito: 54,000

Mystery Bounty 1b
Level 11: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 186/326
Prize Pool: €85,485

While Day 1a and Day 1b of the €600 Main Event are both still ongoing (with late registration still open for one more hour in Day 1b), late registration has just closed in Day 1b of the €300 Mystery Bounty “Siege of Malta”. The flight scored 326 entries, and 186 of them are still in the mix.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 12: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries:76/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Daniele Grasso opened to 3,500 from the Lo-jack. Tomasz Rudnicki made the call from the Big Blind.

Rudnicki checked the 8♠K♠K♦ flop, and Grasso bet 2,000. Rudnicki then completed a check-raise to 5,300, but it wasn’t enough to get rid of Grasso. He made the call, and both players then checked the 7♦ turn. Rudnicki then bet 7,000 on the 7♥ river, and Grasso made the call after some consideration.

Tomasz Rudnicki: Q♥T♠
Daniele Grasso: A♠3♠

Grasso (who, by the way, finished sixth in the 2023 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition €600 Main Event) had made a correct call; his ace played as a kicker, and he was awarded the pot.

Tomasz Rudnicki: 99,000
Daniele Grasso: 89,000

At the casino floor, there are currently flips running for both the €600 and the €300 starting-day flights of the Main Event. The buy-ins for the flips are €70 respective €35; head down there and attempt to secure your Main Event adventure for a cheap buck!

Main Event Day 1a
Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 82/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Dimitar Syarov, who had some decent results during the 2025 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition, opened to 2,500 from the Lo-jack. Seated in the Small Blind, Erik Lindqwist was the sole caller.

Action went check-check on the 7♦8♦7♠ flop. Lindqwist took the aggressive lead with a 2,500 bet on the 5♣ turn, and Syarov made the call. Lindqwist then bet 10,500 on the 8♣ river, leaving himself with 25,000 behind. After spending a minute contemplating his decision, Syarov made the call.

Lindqwist tabled 7♥6♥, and secured the pot with a full house.

Dimitar Syarov: 95,700
Erik Lindqwist: 58,300

Main Event Day 1a
Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 83/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

It has been confirmed that Day 1a will wrap up when 32 players remain.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 89/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Late registration has closed for Day 1a of the €600 Main Event. Twohundred-fourteen entries were registered, and 91 are currently remaining. As previosuly stated, play will conclude when 15 % of the field remain. The final number of players who make it through to Day 2 has yet to be communicated.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 10: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 97/214
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Mark McKenzie opened to 2,200 UTG. Mateo Ciglar (Hi-jack), Pia Fransson (Button), and Dominik Wochnik (Big Blind) all came along for the ride.

Action was checked to big-stacked Fransson on the K♦T♠5♣ flop, and she dipped her toes in the waters with a 7,000. Ciglar was the sole caller, but he then check-folded to a 10,000 Fransson bet.

Fransson’s sole Battle of Malta cash on The Hendon Mob is from the 2024 Autumn Edition, where she finished ninth in the €300 NLH Full Tilt Catania Bounty for €880 (bounties not included). Right now, she’s one of the biggest stacks in Day 1a.

Pia Fransson: 222,000

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition Day 1

€250 NLH White Night
Level 13: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 18/71
Prize Pool: €14,683

The €250 NLH White Night attracted 71 entries, creating a €14,683 prize pool. With 18 players currently seated, nine places will be paid, with Andreas Bjerklund, Jaroslaw Chmiel, and Tomas Major among those still in the mix.

The payouts are as follows:

Battle of Malta Summer Edition 2026

€250 PLO 4 Card
Level 17: 6,000/12,00 (12,000)
Entries: 4/49
Prize Pool: €10,134

A total of 49 entries created a €10,134 prize pool, with seven places to be paid. A total of €3,190 awaits the winner, with Brian Leddy leading the way from Clint Sammut and Joseph Grech with four players left.

All remaining players have locked up a €1,110 payday.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 10: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 96/210
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Marius Negrescu opened to 2,000 from the Hi-jack. Tomas Hrstka made it 5,500 on the Button, and Negrescu decided to stick around.

Negrescu check-called a 4,000 bet from Hrstka on the 7♣Q♣9♠ flop. Both players checked the A♦ turn, and the dealer revealed the 7♠ river. Negrescu bet 10,500, and Hrstka made the call faster than the speed of lightning. Negrescu immediately mucked his hole cards; for the memes, Hrstka revealed one of his cards, the 3♦.

Tomas Hrstka: 85,000
Marius Negrescu: 35,000

Main Event Day 1a
Level 10: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 98/208
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Sofiene Bezzah of Tunisia leads 98 players still seated shortly after dinner break, with late registration due to close shortly.

Battle of Malta Summer Edition 2026

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1b
Level 7: 5,00/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 212/262
Prize Pool: €152,486

The €100,000 guarantee has been comfortably surpassed in the Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty. The overall prize pool currently stands at €152,486, with late registration still open in Day 1b, and the final flight still to come.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 10: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 101/207
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Action folded to Alessandro Siena, who opened to 2,000 from the Hi-jack. Mark McKenzie then three-bet to 6,000 on the Button. Siena proceeded by forcing his opponent all in for 27,400. McKenzie decided to make the call.

Alessandro Siena: Q♣Q♥
Mark McKenzie: K♣T♠

Siena was the favorite, but McKenzie benefited from the 6♣K♦T♥ flop. Siena picked up a straight draw on the A♣ turn, but the 4♦ river ultimately granted McKenzie a full double-up.

Alessandro Siena: 95,000
Mark McKenzie: 57,300

Antonio Russello

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 18: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 40/266
Prize Pool: €149,020

A huge 266 entries were logged for Day 1a of the Mystery Bounty, and Oriol Romero of Spain (512,000) topped the standings, leading from Finland’s Miika Toeyraes (399,000) and Italian Antonio Russello (392,000)

Main Event Day 1b
Level 4: 100/300 (300)
Entries: 37/42
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

While the Day 1a players are just resuming play, Day 1b of the €600 Main Event is currently on Level 4. Like Jason Glatzer mentioned earlier, everything in the evening flights is halfed:

“Starting stack is 20,000 instead of 40,000, blinds are 20 minutes instead of 40 minutes, and the action plays down to 7.5 percent of the field instead of 15% of the field.”

Day 1b has scored 42 entries thus far, with 37 players currently in. Late registration will be open until the end of Level 10 (approximately 23:20).

Main Event Day 1a
Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 97/202
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Day 1a players of the Main Event filed out of the arena to enjoy a 75-minute dinner break. The field in the full-priced €600 flight climbed to 202 entries with less than half of them at their seats with late registration remaining open for 1 additional level when the action resumes.

Meanwhile, the half-priced Day 1b just kicked off with 28 entries. As reminder, everything is chopped in half in this flight. Starting stack is 20,000 instead of 40,000, blinds are 20 minutes instead of 40 minutes, and the action plays down to 7.5 percent of the field instead of 15% of the field.

Bon appetit to all Main Event players, and best of luck when the action resumes.

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition Day 1

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 16: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 40/266
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed

Two simultaneous exits meant the players in Day 1a were spared a hand for hand bubble.

Masut Yibulayin was all-in and at risk against Liron Kroani.

Masut Yibulayin: A♠J♥
Liron Kroani: A♦T♦

Yibulayin was in a dominating position, but he missed a gutshot, and Kroani found second pair, on the K♣T♣7♥2♠6♣ runout.

At another table, Akser Osak was all-in for around 13,000 and at risk against Anastasios Vourexakis.

Akser Osak: K♠K♣
Anastasios Vourexakis: 7♦7♥

Osak seemed to need to only avoid a two-outer, but his opponent went runner-runner for a one-card flush on the A♦T♦8♣6♦4♦ runout.

Stay tuned for end of day chip counts.

Liron Kroani – 190,000
Masut Yibulayin – 0
Akser Osak – 0

Main Event Day 1a
Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 95/199
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Action folded to Sebastian Mortensen, who opened to 2,500 from the Lo-jack. Seated right next to him, Gaspar Querillacq three-bet to 7,500 from the Hi-jack. Back to Mortensen, who four-bet to 16,500. “Not enough action,” the Poker Gods declared; Querillacq five-bet to 26,000, and Mortensen settled with a call.

Mortensen check-called 8,000 from Querillacq on the K♦3♣4♥ flop. After another check from Mortensen, Querillacq fired 16,000 on the J♠ turn. After a minute’s worth of consideration, Mortensen forced his opponent all in for roughly 30,000, and Querillacq made the fold as fast as humanly possible.

Sebastian Mortensen: 195,000
Gaspar Querillacq: 29,000

Main Event Day 1a
Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 99/198
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Mati Pirn opened to 2,000 from the Lo-jack, and was then faced with a 13,600 shove from Jean-Pascal Vernet on the Button. After receiving the county, Pirn made the call.

Jean-Pascal Vernet: A♣J♣
Mati Pirn: 2♥2♣

It’s an educated guess that Vernet was very fond of the T♥K♣Q♥ flop. Pirn did pick up a flush draw on the 7♥ turn, but the 5♠ river ultimately secured Vernet a full double-up at the expense of Pirn.

Jean-Pascal Vernet: 29,700
Mati Pirn: 18,900

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 16: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 45/265
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed

Alessandro Marongiu was getting up out his chair looking forlorn, after he called off for his final 90,000 versus a jam on the river from Oriol Romero, the board reading J♦8♠4♠6♦T♠.

Marongiu had J♠T♥ for two pair, but Romero had rivered the nuts with A♠6♠.

Oriol Romero – 540,000
Alessandro Marongiu – 0

Main Event Day 1a
Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 102/196
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Pia Fransson limped the 1,000 Big Blind from the Lo-jack. Dominik Wochnik joined the limp train from the Cut-off, before Mark McKenzie made it 5,000 on the Button. Fransson and Wochnik both made the call.

It was Fransson who donk-bet 5,000 on the 4♦9♦J♦ flop. Wochnik folded before McKenzie made the call. Fransson slowed down and checked the A♥ turn, and then called 20,000 from McKenzie. Both players checked the 7♦ river.

“Aah,” McKenzie sighed (albeit with a cheeky smile) as Fransson tabled Q♦Q♣. The pot belonged to Fransson, who potentially could have one of the biggest stacks at this point.

Pina Fransson: 208,000
Mark McKenzie: 55,000

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 16: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 47/265
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed

The players have been sent on a further break, with the bubble looming. A total of 40 players are scheduled to qualify, with 47 still seated.

The players best-positioned to inflict bubble pain on their opponents are as follows:-

Ken Otti – 440,000
Nikola Minovic – 415,000
Dominik Cybulski – 380,000
Krystian Nalepka – 375,000
Miika Toeyraes – 370,000

Main Event Day 1a
Level 8: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 110/194
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Renata Onodyova opened to 2,000 UTG. Alessandro Assaloni made the call on the Button, and Rami Amuri joined the fun from the Small Blind.

Amuri checked the 9♠4♥J♦ flop, and Onodyova continued for 3,000. Assaloni made the call before Amuri mucked his hand. Onodyova fired another 7,000 on the 9♦ turn, big enough to get Assaloni to fold.

There has never been a woman winning the Battle of Malta Main Event; perhaps, Onodyova is one of the female players looking to break new ground.

Alessandro Assaloni: 74,100
Renata Onodyova: 54,000

Main Event Day 1a
Level 8: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 114/194
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Nihat Muldur limped from the Hi-jack. Salvatore Esposito made it 2,400 from the Button; Shachar Zvang (Small Blind) and Muldur both made the call.

Action was checked to Esposito on the T♦Q♦K♥ flop, who bet 3,000. Zvang mucked before Muldur completed a check-raise move to 8,500. Esposito made the call, then called a 13,000 bet from Muldur on the dull 2♠ turn. Muldur fired 15,000 on the K♠ river, and Esposito snap-called.

Muldur tabled A♠J♦ for the flopped straight. Esposito sighed as he revealed his K♣8♥ holdings.

Nihat Muldur: 137,000
Salvatore Esposito: 100,000

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1b
Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 35/35
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed 

There are already 35 players registered for Day 1b of the Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty, due to get underway at 7 p.m. Players sit down to a 30,000 starting stack in the penultimate starting flight, with 20-minute levels in play. Late registration closes before the start of Level 11.

Early birds include Salvatore Ritrovato, Rasmus Lundstroem, Florian Henck and Caroline Ingeberg.

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 15: 2,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 54/265
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed

There was an open from Simone Petrillo in the cutoff, before Dominik Cybulski three-bet to 26,000 from the button.

Or Soumpasi was in the big blind, and after some time for deliberation, he cold-four bet jammed for around 105,000. Petrillo quickly folded, and Cybulski made up the difference.

Or Soumpasi: 9♥9♦
Dominik Cybulski: 8♣8♥

Soumpasi was in great shape with the overpair, and the Q♣6♣4♦ flop looked clear. The K♣ turn brought outs to the flush for Cybulski, and it duly arrived on the A♣ river.

Dominik Cybulski – 430,000
Or Soumpasi – 0

Main Event Day 1a
Level 7: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 122/192
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Dario Barone, who won the €600 Main Event during the 2023 Battle of Malta (Summer Edition), opened to 1,300 from the Hi-jack. Marflene Cricchiola then moved all in for 12,500 from the Cut-off, and Barone made the call once action came back to him.

Marflene Cricchiola: Q♣2♣
Dario Barone: Q♥T♥

The board spelled out 8♣3♣8♦J♥8♠, and Cricchiola rose from his chair, preparing to leave the tournament area. The dealer then made him aware that it was in fact a split pot, and he sat back down.

Dario Barone: 47,000
Marflene Cricchiola: 13,000

Battle of Malta Summer Edition 2026

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 15: 2,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 65/265
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed 

The figures are in for Day 1a of the Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty, and it was a huge field of 265 entries to kick off proceedings.

Those stats mean 40 players will qualify for Day 2, with 65 still seated. A total of €40,432 of the €100,000 guaranteed prize pool has already been collected, with two further flights to come.

Day 1b kicks off at 7 p.m, while Day 1c is at noon on May 29, both featuring 20-minute blinds. Day 2 qualifiers will reconvene at 8.30 p.m. on May 29, where play will continue until a winner is crowned.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 7: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 124/191
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Seated in the Hi-jack, Tomas Svoboda opened to 1,800. Valerio Missori (Button) and Andrea Gagliolo (Small Blind) both made the call.

All gas and no breaks from Svoboda, who bet 3,700 after an initial check from Gagliolo on the J♠9♦J♦ flop. Missori made the call before Gagliolo mucked his hand. Svoboda sized up to 10,200 on the T♥ turn. Missori called, and as if the board wasn’t already wet enough, the dealer revealed the Q♣ river. Svoboda checked fairly swiftly, and after some consideration, Missori checked back.

Tomas Svoboda: A♥J♣
Valerio Missori: 8♦7♦

The straight was enough for Missori to secure the pot.

Valerio Missori: 61,000
Tomas Svoboda: 37,000

Main Event Day 1a
Level 7: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 121/184
Prize Pool: €700,000 GTD

Poker journalist Christoffer Karlén has arrived to Casino Malta, and is joining fellow reporter Richard Hayes on the floor, ready to cover every knook and cranny of the Battle of Malta action.

Roughly 10 minutes after play resumed in Day 1a of the Main Event, Francesco Canzonieri opened to 1,300 from UTG+1. Olli Palkivaara made the call from the Hi-jack, and Marc Clausin decided to defend his Big Blind.

After an initial check from Clausin, Canzonieri fired a 1,300 continuation bet on the A♣6♥3♥ flop. Both of his opponents made the call, and the dealer revealed the 8♦ turn. Clausin checked again, and Canzonieri bet 4,400. Palkivaara then moved all in for 17,700, a bet which Canzonieri called after Clausin had folded.

Olli Palkivaara: 8♥8♣
Francesco Canzonieri: A♠Q♥

Canzonieri was drawing dead; after the K♣ river, the dealer pushed the chips the way of Palkivaara, who secured himself a full double-up at the expense of Canzonieri.

Olli Palkivaara: 48,500
Francesco Canzonieri: 17,900

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition

Main Event Day 1a
Level 6: 200/500 (500)
Entries: 119/168
Prize Pool: €700,000 Guaranteed

The following players lead the way at the second break of Day 1a of the Main Event:-

Josef Kogler – 145,000
Davide Caramia – 135,000
David Jehel – 130,000
Mark Vella – 130,000
Nigel Hartwell – 125,000

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition

NLH White Night
Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 12/12
Prize Pool: €2,480 

Event #7 NLH White Night has just got underway, with 12 players seated. Players will sit down to a 20,000 starting stack, with the clock set to 20-minute levels. Late registration remains open until the start of Level 9.

Players seated include Andreas Bjerklund, Vikram Digpal, Denis Juskevic and Jasper Van der Ark.

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 10: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 139/265
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed 

The players have been sent on their second break, with late registration for Day 1a due to close before the start of the next level.

The following players top the standings at present:-

Dominik Cybulski – 160,000
Abilio Da Silva – 125,000
Justin Scicluna – 125,000
Mustapha Hadj – 119,000
Jose Rodriguez – 110,000

Play will continue until 15% of the field remains, while Day 1b kicks off at 7 p.m. this evening. The final starting flight, Day 1c, is at noon on May 29, with Day 2 kicking off 8.30 p.m. on the same day.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 3: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 102/116
Prize Pool: €700,000 Guaranteed

With 12,000 in the middle on a board of T♦3♥2♣, Salvatore Esposito fired out a bet of 6,000 from the big blind, which failed to shake off Shachar Zvang under the gun.

The 5♠ landed on the turn, and Esposito quickly flicked out a bet of 10,000, which again failed to dispose of Zvang.

The 6♦ river completed the board, and Esposito jammed for 15,800. Zvang went into the tank, and tried to engage in some table talk, but language difficulties impeded his attempt to try to get a read.

After about a minute of giving his opponent the evil eye, Zvang folded.

Salvatore Esposito – 59,800
Shachar Zvang – 43,000

Day 1a Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty
Level 10: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 150/260
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed 

Lars Stokke opened to 2,500, and called a three-bet jam of 18,000 from Stephan Kuebler.

Stephan Kuebler: A♣K♦
Lars Stokke: A♥Q♠

Kuebler looked in great shape, and the J♣9♠8♥ flop was relatively clear, although it gave Stokke outs to the straight.

The Q♥ turn put Stokke in front, and there was no miracle escape on the 5♠ river.

Lars Stokke – 90,000
Stephan Kuebler – 0

Main Event Day 1a
Level 3: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 102/116
Prize Pool: €700,000 Guaranteed

With around 21,000 in the middle on a completed board of T♣9♠6♥5♣A♦, Josef Kogler fired out a bet of 16,000, and was met with an all-in from Maciej Krolak for around 34,000.

Kogler looked confused, and spent a fair bit of time in the tank, asking his opponent “Aces?”. Eventually he shrugged and called. Krolak tabled A♥Q♠ for a rivered pair of aces, but Kogler had 5♦5♠ for a turned set of fives.

Josef Kogler – 145,000
Maciej Krolak – 0

Antonio Russello

Day 1a Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty
Level 8: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 165/245
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed 

Peter Schmitt opened to 2,100 under the gun, and received a call from Karsten Luther on the button, before Antonio Russello produced a three-bet to 7,000 from the big blind.

Only Schmitt called to see the T♣9♥5♠ flop, where Russello continued with a bet of 5,500.

Schmitt made the call, to see the 6♥ hit on the turn. Russello quickly double-barreled with a bet of 12,500, and Schmitt folded in rapid fashion.

Antonio Russello – 71,000
Peter Schmitt – 65,000
Karsten Luther – 13,000

Main Event Day 1a
Level 3: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 102/116
Prize Pool: €700,000 Guaranteed

In Day 1a of the Main Event, with 10,000 in the middle on a board of K♥9♦8♦7♦, David Taborsky checked from the cutoff to Andreas Hartl on the button.

Hartl fired out a bet of 5,600, but was met with a check-raise to 14,300 from Taborsky.

Hartl went into the tank, and eventually open-folded A♥A♠. Taborsky tapped the table, but did not reveal his hand as he raked in the pot.

David Taborsky – 43,000
Andreas Hartl – 40,000

The festival is kicked off in style by Telly Bartolas, welcome to Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition!

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition Day 1

€250 PLO 4 Card
Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 13/13
Prize Pool: €2,690

Omaha enthusiasts should be aware the €250 buy-in four card Omaha event has just kicked off, with 13 players currently seated. Players will sit down to a 20,000 starting stack, and late registration is open until the start of Level 9, with 20-minute blind levels in play.

Players seated include Wissam Ouertani, Jonah Kirsh and Mark Johnston.

BoM Summer Edition 2026

Main Event Day 1a
Level 3: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 102/116
Prize Pool: €700,000 Guaranteed

Players in Day 1a of the Battle of Malta Summer Edition Main Event have been sent on their first break of the day, with the following leading the way:-

Francesco Angieri – 102,000
Samuel Tebege – 90,000
Robert Krzywina – 87,000
Sebastian Mortensen – 85,000
Anthony Ouillon – 84,000

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 6: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 175/213
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed 

The players have just been sent on their first break of the day, with the following among the big stacks in the field:-

Paul Johnston – 114,000
Christian Telser – 97,000
Joao Da Silva – 85,000
Or Soumpasi – 80,000
Oriol Romero – 75,000

Level 11: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 41/155
Prize Pool: €9,300 (15 Tickets)

Late registration has now closed in the first Main Event satellite of the day, with 155 entries creating a €9,300 prize pool.

There are 41 players still seated, competing for the 15 tickets created.

Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty Day 1a
Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 164/178
Prize Pool: €100,000 Guaranteed

In the Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty, Jakub Szmuski was raking in a full-double up, after his A♥5♦ won a flip against Vikram Digpal’s 4♣4♠, the board reading Q♠J♦5♣6♠3♠.

Jakub Szmuski – 45,000
Vikram Digpal – 13,000

Players who top the standings of the individual starting flights of the Main Event will bag themselves an additional bonus.

The chip leader of each starting flight will receive a package to the Battle of Malta, Slovakia Edition, scheduled for 7 – 14 September 2026 at Card Casino, Bratislava. The event features a €400,000 guaranteed Main Event, and the package includes accommodation and a Main Event buy-in.

Main Event Day 1a
Level 1: 100/100
Entries: 77/79
Prize Pool: €700,000 Guaranteed

In the Main Event, a big pot of 10,000 had developed by the river on a board of Q♦7♣6♣K♥5♥, in a hand between Artis Salmins on the button, and Francesco Piro in the small blind.

Piro checked, and Salmins fired out a bet of 4,300. Piro took some time to think, but made the call, leading to Salmins immediately sending his cards to the muck.

Francesco Piro – 45,000
Artis Salmins – 35,000

Day 1a, the first of three starting flights of the €300 buy-in, €100,000 guaranteed Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty is now underway, with 106 players already seated.

Notable names in the field early include father and son duo Fabio and Alessio Assennato, Calum Bagnall, Kaspars Mallons and Sandu Bivol.

2025 BoM Autumn Edition Champion Candido Cappiello

After a short welcome speech from Casino Malta’s Telly Bartolo, the atmosphere is crackling here in the tournament room, with the Battle of Malta Main Event now fully underway, and cards in the air in Day 1a.

A total of 65 players are seated already, including Milomir Bubulj, Shaun Decesare, Erik Ostergaard, and Ragnar Ilves.

The Battle of Malta, now in its fourteenth year, has established itself as one of Europe’s premier standalone mid-stakes festivals in that timeframe, and hopefuls from all over the world will flock to Casino Malta, St Julian’s, over the next week for the 2026 Summer Edition. Join us throughout the event for non-stop coverage on the Battle of Malta blog and social media channels.

The action kicks off with gusto on May 28, with six tournaments scheduled to ignite proceedings, along with two satellites. The main attraction will undoubtedly be the €600 buy-in ‘Let the Battle Begin’ Main Event, which sports a huge €700,000 guarantee, making up the majority of the €1,000,000 guaranteed across the festival.

Players hoping to follow in the footsteps of Candido Cappiello as a Main Event champion will have plenty of opportunities to build a commanding stack for Day 2 across seven starting flights, with two Day 1’s per day across the next three days, and a final turbo flight before Day 2 kicks off at 7 p.m. on May 31.

The 1 p.m. starting flights feature 40-minute levels, and play down to 15% of the field, while the 8 p.m. flights play 20-minute levels have a reduced buy-in of €300, with play concluding when 7.5% of the field have avoided the chop.

While the Main Event might be the main course, players can warm-up for combat with some Mystery Bounty action, with three starting flights of the €100,000 guaranteed, €300 buy-in ‘Siege of Malta’ event scheduled over the next two days. €100 of the buy-in will be allocated to the mystery bounty prize pool, and play will continue in each Day 1 until 15% of the field remains, who will return at 8.30 p.m. on May 29 for the final day.

There is also plenty to whet the appetite of mixed game enthusiasts throughout the week, along with a €200,000 guaranteed €1,100 buy-in High Roller, in what is sure to be an action-packed festival of poker frolics in the glorious Maltese sunshine. The full Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition schedule can be found here.

Cappiello overcame a monstrous 6,039-runner field in the 2025 Autumn Edition Main Event in November to be crowned champion, after a heads-up deal with fellow countryman Luigi Shehadeh saw him bank a huge €225,770 first-place prize. The full final table results are set out below.

Candido Cappiello

Battle of Malta 2025 Autumn Edition – Final Table Results

Packages for Main Event Day 1 Chip Leaders

Casino Malta are again offering significant incentives for players to attempt to top the Main Event Day 1 standings. The chip leader of each Main Event starting flight will receive a package to the Battle of Malta, Slovakia, with full details to follow.

Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition Schedule – May 28 2026

The schedule for the first full day of the festival is set out below:-

The Battle of Malta’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram channels will also be bringing you all the big moments from the event, so stay tuned for all your coverage as we eagerly await the first day of action in the Battle of Malta 2026 Summer Edition.