Level 17: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 26/171

Guido Balia during the 2025 Battle of Malta.

Bubble play on Day 1d only lasted one single hand.

From Under the Gun, Guido Balia went all in for 130,000. Then, Marflene Cricchiola re-shoved from UTG+1 for 190,000. Action folded to Marko Luksa in the Big Blind, who were a contender to bag the most chips. After a couple of minutes worth of consideration, he made the call.

Guido Balia: A♠J♠
Marflene Cricchiola: 5♦5♣
Marko Luksa: K♣J♥

It was an absolute rollercoaster on the 4♠T♣K♦Q♣2♠ runout, but in the end, it was Balia who won the main pot. After the dust had settled, it was determined that Cricchiola left in place 27 and became the bubble boy.

We’ll be back with chip counts from Day 1d after Day 1c has finished.