That’s a first. Six previous Battles of Malta and we’ve never had players from the same country face off in the heads-up match. Now we do. Julien Stropoli and Maxime Canevet made it to the final battle of the Battle as the Dane Erik Ostergaard was eliminated just after the

Ostergaard found 9♣ 8♦ on the button and opened with a raise. In the big blind Maxime Canevet found K♠ K♦ and decided to trap and simply called. Flop: 9♠ 9♦ J♠ (6.5m) That’s what can happen if you slow play kings. Ostergaard out-flopped the Frenchman, and after a check

Another shorty all-in, another shorty wins the showdown. Erik Ostergaard was down to only 14 bigs and he moved all-in. Julien Stropoli found a call and they saw a showdown: Ostergaard: A♦ 9♥Stropoli: K♦ Q♥ Board: 8♠ 6♣ 6♥ T♣ T♦ Ostergaard doubled up with the better kicker and we’re

From the button Erik Ostergaard opened to 1.3m with A♥ 4♣. Maxime Canevet defended the big blind with an all-in raise with T♠ 9♣. Ostergaard decided to call the all-in for almost 20 big blinds and the two saw a showdown. The board came down 9♦ 5♦ 6♦ 9♥ 9♠

Erik Ostergaard has had the better of Maxime Canevet most of the time in the past few hands, but now Canevet has score one double up against the Dane. After a raise and re-raise both were all-in pre-flop: Ostergaard: T♣ 7♣Canevet: A♦ 8♦ Board: K♣ 6♥ 2♦ Q♦ 8♥ With his

Our former chip leader, Maxime Canevet, is down to just 8 big blinds and Erik Ostergaard has taken the lead again Ostergaard found A♥ A♣ on the button and raised to 1.9m. In the big blind Maxime Canevet defended with A♠ 5♠. The two of them saw a flop. Flop: