The 2016 Battle of Malta is the biggest poker tournament ever held on the isle of Malta.

By the time the last player had been counted there were a total of 1,813 entries, which is the most ever in the five-year history of the event.

There will be exact numbers provided later tonight but for a tournament that carries a modest buy-in of €550 there will be a prize pool in excess of €870,000.

The numbers were boosted by the biggest starting day in BOM history.

There were a total of 883 entries on Day 1c, which is the highest ever Day 1 total and nearly triple the entire field of the inaugural BOM in 2012.

Leo Margets, Fernando Pons Join the Action

A couple of very well known Spanish poker pros helped push the field into record-setting territory.

Leo Margets

Fernando Pons, hot off his ninth-place finish in the November Nine earlier this week, took a seat early on Day 1c.

Leo Margets, a BOM veteran, took a little longer but also made her presence felt in the Grandmaster Ballroom at Portomaso Casino.

Both players were still in the contest as of the dinner break.

There were plenty of other pros in the field, too, as Konstantin Puchkov, Luca Moschitta, Steven van Zadelhoff and Sofia Lovgren all played Day 1c.

The 2016 Battle of Malta edges the 2015 edition by a slim margin of nine entries but that was enough to set the record.

The prize pool won't be announced until later but since the numbers are very similar to last year first place could top €165,000 this year.

We’ll have a complete wrap later tonight. In the meantime you can follow the Battle of Malta live updates.

It was the biggest single starting day in the history of the Battle of Malta and Eugeny Krikun and Nave Biton definitely took advantage.

When the smoke had cleared there were a total of 883 entries on Day 1c, which pushed the overall field to a record 1,813 entries.

The overall prize pool won’t be released until tomorrow but it should be more than €800,000.

Here’s a look at the approximate top five stacks at the end of play:

1. Eugeny Krikun - 244,200
2. Nave Biton - 239,000
3. Tommi Erik Hirvonen - 222,200
4. Alberto Farah - 194,000
5. Giuseppe Occhipinti - 181,300

Moschitta, Margets Make an Appearance

While the Battle of Malta is primarily focused on recreational players there were several pros who graced us with their presence today.

Claire Renaut

Most notably Fernando Pons (direct from the November Nine in Las Vegas), Konstantin Puchkov, Claire Renaut and Andreas Hoivold.

Spanish poker pro Leo Margets, who’s a bit of a BOM vet, also joined the action partway into the day.

Famed poker blogger (and sometimes PL.com live updater) Allen Rash, you probably know him as Alcanthang, came all the way from the USA to play his first European Poker Tournament but had the misfortune of getting Margets directly on his left.

Rash avoided living up to his nickname, however, and hung out longer than the aforementioned Margets. He couldn’t escape the rail altogether as he busted in the last 20 minutes of play.

A total of 322 survived Day 1c. They’ll join 89 from Day 1a and 227 from Day 1b.

Tomorrow promises to be the most exciting day yet of the 2016 Battle of Malta as the surviving 638 players from all three of the starting days will reconvene at 1 p.m. to play under the same roof for the first time.

The money bubble will also burst tomorrow, which means we’ll see our first payouts of the 2016 BOM.

You can follow along live via our exclusive Battle of Malta live updates.

Daily Video with Leo Margets, Football Legends and MMA Fighters

Check out the daily highlight video for a look at today's action, a peek at yesterday's sports-betting Q&A with football legends Paul Dickov, Alan McInally and Harry Redknapp and interviews with professional MMA fighters Emil Meek, Kenneth Bergh and Jack Hermansson.

The 2016 PokerListings Battle of Malta Main Event will offer a prize pool of nearly €900,000 thanks to record-setting participation.

The 1,813 entries helped push the prize pool to €879,305, which is also a new record for the tournament.

First place will award €160,000 this year. Not bad considering the buy-in remains a modest €550.

Final Table Offers €541k

The final table alone will share €541,940, which is a new record for the five-year-old tournament.

In addition both first and second-place will award over €100,000 this year.

BOM host Maria Ho

A total of 179 players will be paid this year with a min-cash worth nearly double the buy-in at €945.

The Battle of Malta has grown exponentially since its debut in 2012, which offered a modest €169,265 prize pool.

This year’s Battle of Malta features returning host Maria Ho and attracted poker pros Leo Margets, Fabrice Soulier, Konstantin Puchkov and Chris Bjorin.

A number of celebs also bought into the action including Finnish DJ Amanda Harkimo, Norwegian rapper Petter “Katastrophe” Kristiansen and former Swedish National Team goalkeeper Magnus Hedman.

Zachary Reinbold, of Alaska, collected the most chips over the first three starting days with 268k.

You can follow the tournament in real-time via our official Battle of Malta live updates.

Here’s a complete look at this year’s payouts:

Pos.   Prize

1.    €160,000
2.    €110,000
3.      €67,000
4.      €56,000
5.      €46,500
6.      €37,500
7.      €29,000
8.      €21,400
9.      €14,540

10-12       €9,100
13-15       €6,400
16-18       €4,800
19-27       €3,800
28-36       €3,240
37-45       €2,750
46-54       €2,370
55-63       €2,020
64-72       €1,760
73-81       €1,650
82-90       €1,550
91-100     €1,450
101-110    €1,360
111-120    €1,280
121-130    €1,210
131-140    €1,150
141-150    €1,090
151-160    €1,040
161-170       €990
171-179       €945

Spaniard Roberto Lanero rode a late surge to the overnight chip lead of 2,229,000 chips on Day 2 of the 2016 Battle of Malta.

He’s followed closely by Swede Rasmus Eriksson who bagged 2,190,000 and was the only other player to end the night over two million chips.

A total of 72 players remain with the nine-player final table looming. Every player left has locked up €1,760 but the ultimate goal is the €160,000 for first-place.

Double Bubble Surprises

It was a rapid-fire day with 566 eliminations in less than 10 hours of play.

Maria Ho, Konstantin Puchkov, Nicolas Proust and Chris Bjorin all finished shy of the money.

Silje Nilsen made the money.

The money bubble awaited at 179 players remaining and it proved to be an interesting one with two players busting in hand-for-hand play.

Martin Ilavsky and Manuel Raffl ended up sharing the payout of €945 for 179th place, which meant they nearly recouped their €550 buy-in.

Once the bubble burst the bustouts cranked up a notch with over 100 eliminations in the final four levels of play.

Spirit of Poker award winner and guts.com sponsored player Silje Nilsen was one of the casualties as she finished in 145th place for a min cash.

Action ended around midnight local time with Lanero on a dizzying hot streak that peaked at well over 2.2 million chips. Lanero's lifetime live tournament earnings are $7,605 so he has a chance at doubling that number just by making the final table.

Play will resume tomorrow at 2 p.m. and we'll be on hand to live update the final push to the final table.

Here's a look at the top 10 chip counts to end the day:

1. Roberto Lanero -- 2,290,000
2. Rasmus Eriksson -- 2,190,000
3. Robert Berglund -- 1,825,000
4. Flaviano Cammisuli -- 1,585,000
5. John Finnighan -- 1,400,000
6. Davide Fichena -- 1,370,000
7. Gabriele Zappala -- 1,315,000
8. Alessandro Stena -- 1,152,000
9. Patrick Clarke -- 1,100,000
10. Knut Mo -- 985,000

Watch Day 2 BOM Highlight Video

Check out today's highlight video for an inside look at the action in the Main Event, the special 888poker Win the Button tournament, Spirit of Poker Award winner Silje Nilsen and last night's penultimate BOM party.

Rasmus Eriksson and Robert Berglund already loved the Battle of Malta.

Now they have two more very big reasons to.

For the part three years Eriksson, Berglund and a third friend have traveled from Sweden to Malta to play in the BOM.

The best finish they've had previously is Rasmus' 135th-place finish last year for €1,250. This year, they both made the final table of nine.

"This is my best friend from back in Sweden," Rasmus told us after the final table was set. "Robert was the first friend I started to play poker with I think five or six years ago.

"Three years ago was the first time we came to the Battle of Malta and we loved it so much we've come back every year.

"It's been a tradition for us," added Robert. "We hadn't had much success so far but this year we both made the final table."

Rasmus Eriksson

Last-Longer Added Motivation

As a bit of an added incentive, as if they need it now that there's a €160,000 first-place prize on the table, they also have a last longer bet for a free dinner. They say they're both still very motivated to win it.

"Me and Robert have a last-longer bet," Rasmus says "and I want to take him down so I will do what I can to finish him off."

Rasmus plays poker for fun while Robert has been trying to make a living off poker for the last year. Adds Rasmus:

"The money means a lot for me. I have a normal job back in Sweden so even to make the min-cash at the final table is pretty huge.

"But I will try to play my best and not think of the money but the place of €160,000 is really huge and I want it so I will go for it."

“We are over the moon. “We’ve been speaking about how cool it would be to play heads-up for the title, but of course we weren’t serious.”

“Now we move on to Day 4 and it’s actually still possible.”

They were sitting at the same table today, but now that’s unavoidable. With 8,795,000 chips to Robert's 2,895,000, Rasmus also seems to have the upper hand. Or does he?

“I think that Robert is the best player at the table," Rasmus says, "so why would I try to target him? I think it’s better for me to target other players. He might come for me, though.”

Robert Berglund

Stakes Are Even Higher

Between the two of them and their unnamed friend, there is also an agreement that if one of them made the final table, the other two have to get a tattoo.

What exactly is that tattoo of? A very famous Swedish symbol, particularly prominent in their hometown of Falun: the Dalahäst, or Swedish horse.

But now that two of them have made it there, does that mean their friend has to get two tattoos?

Rasmus and Robert can easily agree on an answer here: “Yes, I guess.”

"Our friend wants us to get the tattoos, too," Rasmus says. "Since I made the final table, Robert has to do it and since he made it, I do too.

The two friends return at 3 pm to play the Battle of Malta main event final table, which you can watch right here on live stream with commentary.

You can follow along in the live updates as well right here.

The Battle of Malta takes place in the Mediterranean but this year’s final table will have a considerable Swedish influence with Rasmus Eriksson, Robert Berglund and Jonas Hahnert all looking to scoop the €160,000 first-place prize.

They’ll have to contend with Ireland’s John Finnighan who is the overwhelming chip leader with 10.8 million chips.

The rest of the final table includes two Italians, a Norwegian, a Spaniard and an American.

Here’s a complete look at the final-table chip counts:

1. John Finnighan (Ireland) — 10840000
2. Rasmus Eriksson (Sweden) — 8795000
3. Lawrence Brandt (USA) — 8000000
4. Flaviano Cammisuli (Italy) — 6215000
5. Gonzalo Fernandez (Spain) — 2900000
6. Robert Berglund (Sweden) — 2895000
7. Robert Sverre Eik (Norway) — 2500000
8. Giorgio Legasacchi (Italy) — 2200000
9. Jonas Hahnert (Sweden) — 1000000

Frantic Action Leads to Short Day

For the second-straight year the playdown to the final table proved to be a turbo-charged affair with 63 eliminations in less than seven hours.

Chip leader John Finnighan.

Among the early bustouts were Giuseppe Grimaldi, who made last year’s final table, and German Camilo Hernandez.

Mid-way through Day 3, Rasmus Eriksson laid a staggeringly sick beat on Roger Nilsen.

Eriksson was all-in bad with AK against Nilsen’s KK but managed to spike a miracle when the board ran out J-7-2-K-K.

Eriksson rode that hand to a final-table chip stack of 8.7 million, which is second only to chip leader Finnighan. Amazingly Eriksson’s close friend and fellow Swede Robert Berglund also made the final with 2.8 million chips.

Berglund and Eriksson have been coming to the Battle of Malta for the last three years together but they’ve never had a result quite like this before.

Close behind Eriksson is American Lawrence Brandt who’s a long way from his Phoenix home. Brandt finished with eight million chips.

Italians Continue Strong Presence at BOM

Flaviano Cammisuli

It wouldn’t be the Battle of Malta without at least one Italian and this year’s edition will have two in Flaviano Cammisuli (6.2 million chips) and Giorgio Legasacchi (2.2 million chips).

A Spanish player has never won the Battle of Malta but Gonzolo Fernandez (2.9 million chips) will attempt to rectify that this year.

Meanwhile photo journalist Robert Sverre Eik (2.5 million chips) will attempt to give Norway a Battle of Malta title.

Finally Jonas Hahnert (1 million chips) will give Sweden one more chance to win the biggest tournament ever held in Malta.

The final table will kick off tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time and we’ll once again be on hand to provide live updates.

In addition — for the first time ever — the Battle of Malta will offer a livestream thanks to Betsson, Betsafe and NordicBet.

Watch Day 3 Highlight Video

Check out the highlight video to get to know our final-table players a bit better and hear more about the two best friends who came to Battle of Malta together and both made the final table!

Swedish best friends Robert Berglund and Rasmus Eriksson came to the 2016 Battle of Malta with the dream of making the final table together.

They accomplished that and so much more Monday night.

Berglund beat Irishman John Finnighan Linkins heads-up to take home €160,000, which was the single biggest payout in Battle of Malta history.

In addition Eriksson incredibly finished third for €67,000. Together the pair will take home €227k back to their hometown of Falun, Sweden.

Scandis Dominate Crazy Final Table

The Battle of Malta has always had a large Nordic presence but this is the first year the event featured a Scandinavian winner.

Rasmus Eriksson and a friend cheer Robert Berglund to victory.

Not only did Sweden’s Berglund and Eriksson finish top 3 but Norway’s Robert Sverre Eik put up a good fight from the short stack to finish seventh for €29,000.

The other Swede at the final table, Jonas Hähnert, finished ninth to add €14,540 to the Scandinavian haul.

It wasn’t all about the Swedes at the final table as Ireland’s John Finnighan Linkins put in a strong performance that eventually earned him €110k for second place.

American student Lawrence Brandt, who was a long way from his home of Tempe, Arizona, also played very well to take 5th for €46,500.

Here’s a complete look at the final table payouts:

1. Robert Berglund, Sweden - €160.000
2. John Finnighan Linkins, Ireland - €110.000
3. Rasmus Eriksson, Sweden - €67.000
4. Gonzalo Pro Fernandez, Spain - €56.000
5. Lawrence Brandt, USA - €46.500
6. Flaviano Cammisuli, Italian - €37.500
7. Robert Sverre Eik, Norwegian - €29.000
8. Giorgio Ligasacchi, Italian - €21.400
9. Jonas Hähnert, Sweden - €14.540

Bonkers Three-Way All-In Chop

The final table was a rollercoaster for Spain's Gonzalo Pro Fernández who went from short stack to chip leader to out of the tournament in a series of incredible events.

Nothing was more spectacular than a three-way all-in that went south for Fernández.

Fernández was all-in with A♦ A♥ against American Lawrence Brandt with 8♣ 8♥ and Rasmus Eriksson with 9♣ 9♦.

The Spaniard had a very good chance to knock out both players and take an overwhelming lead in the tournament.

Instead the board ran out 5♣ 4♦ 3♥ 2♠ 6♠ to put a straight on the board and provide an unlikely chop and deny Fernández what could have been a tournament-defining hand.

Fernández ended up finishing in fourth place to take home €56,000.

Live Stream Brings Final Table to Life

It was another record-breaking year for the Battle of Malta with 1,813 entries to create a nearly €900,000 prize pool.

One of the many new additions this year was the final table live stream sponsored by Betsson, Betsafe and NordicBet.

The GPL’s Roland Boothby got in the booth with a rotating list of hosts to provide real-time coverage of the final table.

It turned out to be a spectacular final table to watch with the chip lead trading back and forth numerous times and intense action all around.

Hundreds tuned in on Twitch to watch the final table play out.

There was even a free roll on Betsson/Betsafe/NordicBet in conjunction with live stream that gave away a package to the 2017 Battle of Malta.

Watch Final Table Highlight Video

Today's final table was the most exciting in Battle of Malta history and you can experience it for yourself in just three minutes.

Check out the highlights below and check back tomorrow for a full recap of the 2016 Battle of Malta.

It was arguably the most exciting final table in the history of Battle of Malta and fortunately the entire event was recorded for your viewing pleasure.

For the first time ever there was a Twitch live stream of the final table thanks to PrimeProductionTeam and sponsors Betsson, Betsafe and NordicBet.

The GPL’s Roland Boothby stopped by to handle commenting with a variety of rotating guests including various members of the media.

Hundreds of people tuned in to watch the thrilling conclusion to the biggest Battle of Malta ever.

That live stream is now available as a Video on Demand and you can watch it below this article.

Highlight Reel Three-Way All-In

Swedish best friends Patrik Berglund and Rasmus Eriksson both entered the final table trailing Irish chip leader John Finnighan Linkin but what transpired was one of the most interesting, back and fourth final tables that’s ever been played in Malta.

Just incredible.

The final table saw the chip lead swap back and fourth numerous times and a shocking three-way all-in with pocket eights vs. pocket nines vs. pocket aces. How does it turn out? Well you’re going to have to check it out below.

As usual the final table offered a little bit of something for everyone with Three Swedes, one Norwegian, one American, a Spaniard, two Italians and an Irishman.

Spain’s Gonzalo Pro Fernández had a roller coaster of a day that saw him enter the day as one of the shorter stacks but then ascend to the chip lead and then bust in fourth place.

Of course the biggest story was Berglund and Eriksson of Falun, Sweden, who got to live the dream of making the final table with your best friend after three years of attending BOM.

Watch the complete final table below and a little bit of action from the previous day below that.

Watch live video from on www.twitch.tv

Watch live video from on www.twitch.tv

PokerListings, PokerStars and the Portomaso Casino in Malta have teamed up for a special charity tournament this Saturday, Dec. 3.

The No-Limit Holdem tournament will require a modest €50 buy-in and offer unlimited rebuys for €20 apiece. There will also be a one-time add-on offered for €20.

All proceeds will go to local charities including the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation and Heritage Malta, who are helping to make the charity tournament an annual event.

EPT Prague Package for 1st Place

It’s a charity event but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be won for players in the tournament.

Heading back to Portomaso.

PokerListings, PokerStars and Betsafe have all chipped in for a prize pool that includes the following items:

1st — 2016 EPT Prague Package
2nd — 2017 Battle of Malta Buy-In
3rd — StanleyBet Buy-In

The EPT Prague Package includes a €1,100 buy-in to the Eureka Main Event (Dec. 9-13, 2016) as well as hotel and flight.

Thanks to PokerStars' revamped Championship schedule that will also be the last EPT ever so there’s a little bit of extra history for anyone who wins a package.

Second prize is of course a €550 buy-in into PokerListings’ very own Battle of Malta, which saw record numbers this year and awarded €160k to eventual winner Robert Berglund.

Action begins at 8 pm and the tournament will also offer refreshments and an open bar until 11 pm.

Here's a look at the structure:

The 2016 Battle of Malta was a memorable event in a few regards.

The main event beat its own record once again. The side events grew exponentially. And for the first time ever we saw a Swedish winner.

The most unique story, however, was two best friends making the final table.

Sweden's Robert Berglund and Rasmus Eriksson finished 1st and 3rd in the main event. How everything ended is now history – Robert claimed the title for €160,000 while Rasmus got a solid consolation prize of €67,000.

Together with a third friend, Johan Hinders, they all had a piece of the action. A few weeks after the somewhat improbable result we spoke to the 25-year old duo from Dalarna (north of Sweden) about their success. They were two humble winners.

PokerListings: A big congratulations on your 1st and 3rd! What have you been up to since? How did you celebrate it all?

The champ.

Robert/Rasmus: Thanks a lot! We stayed in Malta a couple of days and just enjoyed the moment.

We haven't actually celebrated it in a proper way yet. We were so tired the days after so we just relaxed, ate and drank well.

PL: You had a last longer bet where the winner got a free dinner, did you receive that one around the same time?

Robert: Haha yes I got it immediately. We ate at a steakhouse in the harbour, it was really good.

PL: During the tournament you mentioned that you started playing poker together 5-6 years ago. How did it all start?

Rasmus: My older brother was Robert's friend and one evening he asked me if I wanted to come along and play.

I don't remember exactly what we played but probably some small Sit & Go or some really small cash game. It was also at this time we started to hang out with each other.

After this we had more poker nights and eventually we started to play online.

PL: Was Johan with you during those nights?

Robert: Not from the start. We first met him a few years later in Riga during our first live event.

PL: So you have an established poker community in Dalarna?

Robert: No, we're just a few friends that enjoy playing together. We mostly play online nowadays.

PL: Since you started to play together around the same time you must have developed some similarities in your game. How did your strategy look before the tournament? Did you have the same approach or do you have very different styles?

Early days a breeze.

Rasmus: I think we play kinda similar. Battle of Malta has such a good structure so it was all pretty basic.

You get a nice amount of space to take it easy in the beginning and then it of course becomes more and more aggressive the further the tournament goes.

PL: Do you agree, Robert?

Robert: Yes. It was a really calm first day. Even the second day was kinda calm the first hours. You just had to relax and find some good spots.

PL: The night before the final table you were 6th in chips Robert and you were 2nd Rasmus. How did you prepare? Was it on your own or did you hang out together as usual?

Rasmus: We sat down and talked about how we thought the opponents played, but not much more than that. We took a fairly early breakfast and then we hang out by the pool for a few hours before we went to the casino.

No deal talk.

PL: Were you nervous or was it just happy feelings?

Robert: Of course you were a little bit nervous, but as soon as you sat down by the table it all disappeared.

PL: Did you discuss any deal that night?

Robert: Not really; we had such different chipstacks. But we changed a few more percent so neither one would cry a river if the other one went all the way.

All three of us already had a fair amount in each other before the tournament so everyone got a good profit in the end.

PL: How did you feel when you knocked out Rasmus?

Robert: I would rather have knocked out the Irish guy (Finnighan) but it felt OK. I pushed with 9-7 and Rasmus called me with king high. He found a good spot as a marginal favorite and I sucked out.

Rasmus: Yeah I guess you could say that.

PL: Is it usually Robert that wins those hands when you play?

Rasmus: That guy always wears his running shoes!

PL: Robert, in a shorter interview during the Battle of Malta you said that you were trying to become a professional. How has that worked out for you?

Pro life going well.

Robert: It’s been going good. I have been playing poker full time for about a year now.

I mostly play cash games during the weekdays, everything from €0.5/€1 and up, and on Sundays I grind tournaments.

PL: What did you do before?

Robert: I worked as a care assistant.

PL: Have you noticed any differences in your results since you started playing poker full time and do you have any goals poker-wise for the future?

Robert: Yes, the results are much better now. It's fun to see. I can put so much more time into it which makes a big difference.

At the moment I don’t have any specific goals, I just take it as it comes. The only thing I have scheduled is Eureka in Prague. I might also play some side events in the EPT that runs along with it.

Not as keen to put hours in.

PL: You stayed in the same hotel room in Malta; do you live together in Sweden as well?

Rasmus: No we don’t, I just moved to Falun (another town in Dalarna). My girlfriend lives here so that’s why. Robert is still in Mora so we live about 100 km from each other.

PL: Do you work there? Or do you have any plans like Robert and turn professional?

Rasmus: Of course I thought about it a couple of times but I don’t have the passion to put the time in you're required to as a professional. I’m currently working at a remediation firm and I’m very happy there so I have no plans to stop.

My colleagues are great, even if they have to accept that I take some more time off than usual this year to go to Prague with Robert.

But they've handled it well -- some of them even want to buy a percentage in the action (Laughs).

PL: You had a pretty strange bet before Battle of Malta. If any of you reached the final table the other guys had to get a tattoo of a “Dalahäst” (A wooden horse from Dalarna). Have any of you done it yet?

Rasmus: Haha not yet. We actually haven’t spent any time together since we came back to Sweden.   

But it is the Swedish championships of online poker this weekend and I will go to Mora to play. Get back to us after the weekend and we will have solved it!

PL: Are you going to have a lockdown?

Robert: Yes a few friends are coming over to my place. Both Rasmus and Johan are coming, also a few others. It will be at least five of us. We will grind tournaments.

3rd-place trophy is sweet, too.

PL: Might it not be difficult to find time for tattoos then?

Rasmus: Haha yes but we have to solve it! All details are not finished yet since two of us reached the final table.

As it looks in the current situation Johan must do two because both me and Robert managed to get there. And since I made it Robert has to do one; the same goes for me.

PL: Have you had any other crazy prop bets before?

Rasmus: Hmm, we have one that is still active with a third friend that uses way too much “Snus” (A Swedish tobacco). It is also about a final table - this time about the Sunday Million.

If he reaches it first we have to start with snus, but if one of us makes it first he has to stop for one year.

Everybody got paid well.

PL: Do you have any time limit for that one?

Robert: No, it's a standing bet. Because of that reason we play the Sunday Million every week. It is not about the money; we just want to win the bet.

It was a bit nervous once when he finished around 70th but it hasn't happened much since.

PL: Will you come back to Malta next year?

Robert: Yes, I am almost convinced we will.

Rasmus: Without a doubt! It's almost forbidden to schedule something else in November. 

Sally Stephens is retired and traveled to Malta as the first stop on a poker bucket-list adventure that will take her all over the world.

By the time Battle of Malta was over Stephens had chopped a tournament heads-up, celebrated with poker pro Maria Ho and pocketed her biggest poker score ever.

After playing and busting the €550 BOM Main Event Stephens decided to enter the €1,200 Grandmaster High Roller tournament.

She made it all the way to the final two spots and made a deal to take home over €25,000.

Stephens explained that she's been playing poker since seeing Chris Moneymaker win the WSOP Main Event in 2003.

Having played strategy games since her childhood, Stephens said she quickly recognized that modern poker strategy was far more complex than what she had experienced playing cards recreationally before.

So she started practicing online, reading books and studying how professionals played by watching poker on TV and the internet.

Stephens lives in Costa Rica and she's putting her poker theory into action by traveling to tournaments in far-flung, exotic destinations.

Malta, Czech Republic, Australia

Malta was Stephens' first major live poker trip but she said she's planning more soon.

The final European Poker Tour stop in Prague this month is on the list. So's the Aussie Millions in Melbourne in the new year.

Stephens said her score at BOM will make things a lot easier.

“Winning this cash just makes it easy for me to travel around and play some more poker tournaments and it definitely boosts my confidence,” she said.

“It's a poker dream come true.”

Watch Sally Stephens' Poker Dream Come True at BOM

Check out the video to learn more about Sally Stephens' poker adventure and join us at the 2017 Battle of Malta to make your own poker dream come true.

When you've built something great, you don't want to mess with the formula that has made it such a success.

A few tweaks here and there, though, can make things even better and that's what's next for the growing Battle of Malta in 2017.

The record-setting festival - which has broken its own record for biggest poker tournament on Malta in each of its five years - is now officially set for Nov. 2-7, 2017.

Returning will be the same amazing value in the €550 buy-in and €900,000 expected prize pool, newly guaranteed side events and the "major tour" feel players from around the world have come to love.

Also back are an enhanced final table live stream, plenty of great parties and camaraderie and a slew of celebrity guests. A few new additions should take the award-winning BoM to new heights again.

2,000 Entries Next?

Capping off last year's festival with a record 1,813 main event entries and a €879,305 prize pool, the 2016 BoM smashed all event ceilings and set new records in every tournament.

More than just a poker tournament.

In 2017 the Battle of Malta returns to the Portomaso Casino with more event guarantees, a cards-up final table live stream and slightly altered schedule that might just push the ME over the elusive 2,000-entry mark.

New perks players can expect in 2017:

“In just a few years," says Battle of Malta Tournament Director Ivonne Montealegre, "the Battle of Malta has become more than just a poker tournament - it’s become a symbol of the Maltese poker community.

Enhanced live stream!

"We’ve listened to our players again and adapted our calendar to their suggestions -- meaning more opportunities to experience the friendly vibe among players and pros, the incredible location and the weekend activities.

"In 2017 players can expect more value, more guests, more surprises, more music, more excursions, more fun … and more of the joy of poker they’ve come to expect.”

Model/Poker Player Gaëlle Garcia Diaz Steps In 

After 5 fantastic years from past BoM hosts Maria Ho and Kara Scott, Belgian model, actor and TV presenter Gaëlle Garcia Diaz will take over the mic this year and keep the Battle of Malta fun flowing.

Your new BoM host (on the right ofc)!

Much like the beloved Ho, Garcia Diaz is both a tough out at the poker table and a huge draw among poker fans who line up to get their pictures taken with her. 

A celebrity guest of the Battle of Malta before, Garcia Diaz says the mix of both poker and fun prominent at the BoM over other poker tours is perfect for her:

“I’m so excited to be hosting the Battle of Malta in 2017!" says Garcia Diaz.

"My ideal way to spend a week in November partying, enjoying the sun and playing some live poker together with thousands of other poker lovers again!”

For more info on the past, present and future qualifying opportunities for the 2017 Battle of Malta, check our BoM Main page here. Keep an eye out for satellites and package offers on our partner sites, which will start soon!

Gaëlle Garcia Diaz is coming back to the Battle of Malta. But this time the Belgian model, TV presenter and actress will do more than just play a little poker.

Garcia Diaz is stepping in as the Battle of Malta host this year three years after taking part in the tournament as a player.

As a player she reached an impressive 14th out of 593 players in the Siege of Malta Second Chance event. Now she'll also be in front the cameras as the new BOM headliner.

Before seeing her mic in hand in November we wanted to find out what she's been up to and what all this means to her.

PL: What does it mean to you to become the Battle of Malta’s host?

Fond memories of BoM as player.

GGD: I’ve been to the Battle of Malta before and have very fond memories of the event.

It combines both the excitement of a big tournament in terms of prize pool due to the massive turn-out every year together with the vibe of a lower buy in tourney which is more friendly and easy going.

Presenting this poker tourney is presenting a tourney for the kind of player that I am -- not professional but just in love with the game. Which is a great feeling. But I also think that’s why it makes it such a good fit.

PL: How did you experience the tournament as a player in 2014?

GGD: Playing in the Battle of Malta Main Event was awesome. But to quote the ultimate poker movie Rounders, "Few players recall big pots they have won, strange as it seems, but every player can remember with remarkable accuracy the outstanding tough beats of his career.”

I guess that says enough how my main event went (laughs). I did had a nice run at the one of the side events where I remember I drew the dream opening table. it was chatty, fun and the chips where flowing my way.

PL: What made you want to accept the role as the BOM’s new host?

GGD: No one really had to convince me but the way tournament director Ivonne Montealegre approached me with so much drive and passion was certainly an added bonus!

PL: You’re always on the move and doing a million things, so a lot must have happened since 2014. Tell us a bit about what has been going on.

GGD: I’m not sure you’ll have enough space to write all of this (smile). The most important thing that happened is that I got engaged!

I’m super excited and we recently moved into a great place just outside of Brussels with our 2 cats, Gilles & Tibalt. I’ve played a bit less of poker lately than before but that made me able to do some acting work and I’m working hard on my Youtube channel.

Also I’m working on a secret project … something really on my own. If you wanna learn more about it follow me on my Instagram or Twitter.

PL: How do you see the Battle of Malta’s success?

GGD: When I think of the Battle of Malta I think of it as being an event that presents poker in its purest form for me: poker as a fun game played by hundreds of enthusiasts at the same time with the promise that one of them will go home with a nice wad of cash and every one will go home with a story.

PL: Being able to enjoy "summer" in Malta in November is always an exciting prospect, isn’t it?

Pure poker fun.

GGD: Exactly. It makes it a bit easier on those with only the story to tell as they can tell it poolside with some cocktails watching a sunset. (smile)

But I'd rather be at the final table then at the pool to be honest!

PL: The Battle of Malta is a very relaxed, very social tournament. That also seems like a good fit for you.

GGD: Of course. I’m not a pro player. I play to win but also to have fun. I’ve simply lost count of the number of great people I got to know during my years in poker and I hope to have many more great moments like this.

PL: As a host coming after such popular figures as Kara Scott and Maria Ho, what’s the hardest part? Bringing a new style, your own style?

GGD: I have a lot of respect for what Maria and Kara did, both on and of the felt. Personally I feel awesome in front of the camera due to the many EPTs and other poker shows I presented.

I don’t want to copy anyone’s style as I feel the way I am personally works the best for me. Behind my stack of tournament chips I also feel pretty good -- especially the kind of stack you have trouble finding me behind due to the height of it.

PL: Do you have a host role model (in poker or elsewhere)?

Inspired by Stapes!

GGD: In the poker world I love Joe Stapleton’s style! He has this fun approach which really makes poker accessible to a lot of new players.

I’m also a huge fan of Ellen Degeneres, she’s always so relaxed and natural behind the camera. My dream is to have a show like hers.

PL: Do you like to use your 'sexy' side when you’re hosting? What are some of your tips to play with the camera?

GGD: The Gaëlle in front of the camera will always have a bit of glamour without overdoing it. I feel this is part of the history of poker and the old Vegas days and I would like to keep this a bit in my presenting.

However those who have played me at the poker table can also attest that I can be very casual and not always the girl that you see in the glamour pics online. I’m also just your girl next door.

Much more than just a glamour girl.

PL: Do you have any advice for people who would like to become hosts?

GGD: Do it because you love it and don’t give up chasing your dreams. Also don’t pay too much attention to negative things other people say but take honest advice at heart.

PL: Do you already have a few surprises planned (without revealing too much)?

GGD: If I would tell you now it wouldn’t be a surprise. (smile)

PL: Are you ready to be escorted by armour-clad knights?

GGD: Of course! I'm planning to have them stay behind me when I play to intimidate my opponents. (laughs)

PL: Last year three Swedish players had a side bet to get a horse tattoo if one of the others reached the final table (two of them did and one won the tournament). Would you make a similar bet? And what tattoo would you get?

GGD: As opponents I would chose Christophe DeMeulder and Jonathan Abdellatif.

As for a tattoo I would chose: A little butterfly on a nice pink flower for Chris, a cute cat with big kitten-like eyes for Jonathan and a bad-ass dragon for myself!

The final registration tally is in for the 2014 Battle of Malta and the number is a big one: 1,447 entries.

A record-smashing 926 entries poured through the doors of the Portomaso Casino today to not just break our own record of 888 total entries last year but set a new record for single-day poker tournament attendance in Malta.

The total prize pool – an eye-popping €701,795 - is also the second-highest ever on the island behind only the 2011 IPT Malta which had a €2,000 buy-in.

The 2014 BOM is now by far the largest-ever poker tournament held on Malta. At just €550 for the buy-in the BOM is easily the biggest-value tournament  and now firmly entrenched as one of the biggest stand-alone tournaments in Europe.

Total Prize Pools for Tournaments Held in Malta:

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

The full 70 tables available ran at full steam for the first eight hours of the day as a 200-player waiting list worked its way into the field as players in the original 700 busted.

By the end of registration almost everyone who wanted to (and could) made it into the tournament.

Room for almost everybody.

As we hit Level 10 about 488 players remain in the Day 1b field but about half of those should be culled before the final bell rings in Level 15.

They’ll join the 84 survivors from Day 1a yesterday to play down into the money on Day 2 tomorrow.

Final payout percentages will be announced before the beginning of Day 2.

Heavy Hitters Abound; Side Events Set to Go Off

As expected the field was also packed with big names eyeing a piece of the bountiful prize pool.

Dominik Nitsche: Couldn't resist BOM value.

PokerStars pros Leo Margets and Luca Pagano and former EPT presenter Gaelle Garcia Diaz all hit the felt today but unfortunately all hit the rail before Level 10.

Edinburgh-based friends and pros Rupert Elder and Dominik Nitsche also arrived at BOM and at least check had built a solid stack up towards the end of the day.

Sofia Lovgren, Dominik Panka and Andreas Hoivold also returned for a second bullet although Panka is the only one who survived. Check our Live Coverage page for all the latest updates from the tourney floor.

The silver lining in anyone’s bust from the Main Event is the opportunity to buy-in to one of the four side events. The Grand Master High Roller and Siege of Malta Second Chance Event start tomorrow while the PLO and Deepstack events start Sunday.

The Official BOM VIP Party also kicks off tomorrow at 9 pm. Check our Battle of Malta page for all the details.

Two massive Day 1s are in the books at the 2014 BOM with records shattered, a huge prize pool built and one happy chip leader in Italian Gino Censori.

After 13.5 hours of play Censori bagged up a field-leading 427,500 to head into Day 2 tomorrow with the overall chip lead.

Censori will lead a combined field of 261 players towards the real prize everyone came for – the one at the top of the guarantee-smashing €701,795 prize pool.

1,447 Entries, Biggest Ever Tournament in Malta

Nitsche back for Day 2.

Numbers were expected to be high but the streams of players rolling into the empty seats over the first few levels was still a spectacle to behold.

Day 1b started with a full complement of 700 players over 70 tables and as soon as the “Player Out” call was made another player was there to take the open seat.

By registration’s end there were 926 players officially bought into the field – an all-time record for Malta and higher even than the 888 total entries for the 2013 Battle of Malta.

Combined with the 521 entries from Day 1a yesterday the grand total rose to 1,447, another clear record.

Nitsche Survives, Panka Falls Again

It was a reasonable day on the felt for Edinburgh resident Dominik Nitsche as he'll carry on to Day 2, albeit with a fairly small stack.

Our 2014 Spirit of Poker Rising Star winner Dominik Panka wasn't so fortunate, however. He fought valiantly on his second bullet on Day 1b but finally succumbed near the end of the day.

Other notables to hit the rails included Sofia Lovgren, Gaelle Garcia Diaz, Leo Margets and Luca Pagano.

Check our Live Coverage page for a rundown of all the action. Some selected chip counts for Day 2:

Combined Field, High Roller, Official Party Await

Short day for Garcia Diaz but hopes are high she'll hit the party.

Plenty more poker is in store for Saturday with the combined field coming together to get Day 2 of the Main Event started at 2 pm.

The official payout structure will be released tomorrow so they’ll know exactly how long they’ll play to hit the money and the full payouts up top.

Also coming tomorrow is the start of the side events with the €4,180 Grandmaster High Roller and the popular €220 Siege of Malta Second Chance tournament.

For those who do or don’t survive the day, the Official 2014 BOM VIP Party is set to jump off at 9 pm at the posh Le Villa at Le Meridien.

Admission is already included for package holders; tickets available for guests at the tournament.

A chip and a chair is the standard cliché poker players use to give themselves hope when facing some pretty long odds.

Rarely, of course, do you end up running your mini stack all the way back up to a title-contending one.

But, you know, it does happen. And almost every poker player can vouch for a time it has.

888poker qualifier Brendan Doogan got to live out a poker dream at the 2014 Battle of Malta after running through six qualifying tournament on 888 to win a full package including his Main Event buy-in.

His starting buy-in: Just 1¢.

Host Maria Ho caught up with Doogan for a chat just after the money bubble today and he told us what it meant to him to make it here, how he's fared in the tournament and what it would mean to earn a life-changing amount of money.

Update: Doogan ended up busting well into the money in 101st place. His payout: €1,250. Maybe not enough for Disneyworld but a nice return nonetheless.

Day 2 is done at the 2014 Battle of Malta main event with just 35 players left with a shot at the €140,000 first-place prize.

Standing tall above the crowd? French pro Hugo Lemaire who bagged up 2.4 million to lead the way towards the final table tomorrow.

"I ran good today," Lemaire said. "I cracked AA + AK with KTo."

"I was lucky to have a very weak and passive table. I enjoyed the game a lot today."

Also standing out among the final 35 are well known pros Andrea Dato from Italy and Konstantin Puchkov from Russia, who battled all the way back to a big stack after being down to just two big blinds.

Plenty of unheralded stars are in the mix as well including the last woman standing, Hege Sogstand from Norway, along with Hans Faber, Declan Connolly, Valentin Messina and Michael Abitbol.

For a recap of all the action, check the Battle of Malta Live Coverage page. Check for updated chip counts in a short time here.

170 Players Paid, Side Events Fire Up

An enthusiastic 261 players started the day at 2pm with high hopes of getting into the money. 170 of them had their wishes satisfied, even if they ended slightly shorter than they wanted.

Better luck in the Second Chance.

Among the early cashers of note were Marco Bognanni, Maria Ho, Luca Moschitta and Fabrice Soulier who all headed for the exits before the final 100.

888poker qualifier Brendan Doogan, who earned his way to the Battle of Malta for just 1c, followed shortly in 101st.

Pre-bubble busts included Thor Hansen, Dominik Nitsche and Johnny Lodden.

While they were getting down to the nitty gritty in the Main Event the popular Siege of Malta Second Chance event fired up.

Another 593 players bought in to take a shot at a return on their money and 109 will come back tomorrow to battle for the 24,000 first-place prize.

Making her way to Day 2 with a good-sized stack was PokerStars presenter Gaelle Garcia Diaz.

A smaller than expected High Roller also played out on the stage with Ireland's Dermot Blain among the contenders.

Tune in tomorrow at 2pm for the full playdown to the champions in both events plus the PLO Knight's Crusade and the Turbo Deepstack.

Watch Day 2 BOM Highlights with Maria Ho

While the Battle of Malta Main Event was playing down to 35 players in the main tournament room the Siege of Malta Second Chance event was winding down as well.

An impressive 593 players stepped up for a second shot at making some money and 114 survived to see Day 2.

Among the notables to make the cut is Friend of PokerStars Gaëlle Garcia Diaz who moved onto Day 2 in the Top 25 with 74,100 chips.

They'll play to a winner today with 72 players paid and a top prize of €24,000.

The full chip counts can be found below:

N.

LASTNAME

FIRSTNAME

CHIPS

TABLE

SEAT

1

FILIOS

GRIGORIOS

182,700

12

6

2

PUGLIA

GIAMPAOLO

160,800

10

8

3

HAGAY

KRAUS

147,800

2

3

4

KOVALEV

ALEXEY

147,000

3

2

5

SCALABRINO

ENRICO

146,600

2

1

6

WEISS

ALOIS

142,800

10

6

7

PARTANEN

PETRI JARI JOHANNES

131,100

6

5

8

LIND

THOMAS

115,900

3

1

9

MARTUCCI

GERMANO

115,500

5

9

10

SERRELI

LOANA

103,200

2

6

11

NEURATH

LEOPOLD

98,300

5

7

12

DE LEON

MOSHE

88,600

9

5

13

GERTH

DIRK

88,200

7

9

14

SIGVE WETTELAND

JARL

85,300

12

2

15

KERS

JOHAN PONTIUS

84,900

4

8

16

ELLINGSSON

FRIEDRIK

83,800

9

9

17

GANNON

HELENA

81,400

3

4

18

LAZOR

LUKASZ

78,700

11

1

19

ERSOY

CAGDAS

78,000

8

5

20

LEIGHTON

JIMMY

76,500

4

9

21

PASQUALI

DANILO

75,100

11

4

22

MARDINY

ABBE

74,900

9

4

23

COSTE

VINCENT

74,800

8

7

24

GARCIA DIAZ

GAELLE

74,100

12

4

25

LINTUKANGAS

KAJ TAPANI

73,300

2

4

26

BENEDETTO

ANGELO MARIO

72,100

11

3

27

WINTER

JORN

72,000

6

6

28

BAXTER

MARK

70,400

10

2

29

CASABURI

MICHELE

69,800

5

10

30

FARELLA

VALERIO

68,000

9

2

31

ROMANO

GIUSEPPE ANTONIO

67,200

5

5

32

BACK

OLE MARTIN

65,600

10

4

33

ANDERSSON

JIM DOUGLAS

64,000

7

4

34

DI PERSIO

GIOVANNI

63,400

10

10

35

PAILLEREAU

HENRY

61,100

8

2

36

MANCINI

PASQUALE

61,000

4

3

37

DE MIER GARCIA

JOSE ELIAS

60,600

7

1

38

QVARNSTROM

ANDREAS

59,600

2

5

39

WALID

ABDI ALI

58,100

9

7

40

MONTAGNA

ALESSANDRO

56,700

4

4

41

STELLATO

ANDREA

55,900

8

8

42

CHAMBON

PIERRE

55,100

6

4

43

DE FILPO

DAVIDE

55,000

4

6

44

GRAZIANO

CARLO

51,100

5

3

45

MESSINA

VINCENZO

50,800

5

2

46

LECCE

BIAGIO

50,300

8

1

47

JACOBSEN

LASSE

50,000

12

5

48

AVRAHAM

ARAVA

49,600

7

5

49

LODDO

LINO

49,600

3

7

50

BJORKNES

ESPEN HOO

49,100

6

8

51

MONDELLO

VINCENZO

48,400

6

3

52

NEVILLE

GRECH

47,400

4

7

53

BLAHYNKA

JAN

46,600

7

10

54

AQUILA

ANTONIO

46,300

4

10

55

ATTARD

MARK

46,300

10

1

56

MITCHELL

MITCH

45,600

1

10

57

PIERO

GUIDO

43,000

12

7

58

HAUGLAND

ERIK

42,600

12

8

59

VAN DEN BROEK

JEFFREY

42,400

1

2

60

D'AQUILA

GIAMPAOLO

41,500

8

4

61

CORRADI

LIVINIO

41,300

9

10

62

IMPOLA

KEIJO JOUKO

40,300

11

10

63

CRACCHIOLO

IGNAZIO FABIO

40,100

4

1

64

EMANUELE

ANDREA

39,500

2

2

65

LINDHOLM

MAGNUS

38,300

10

5

66

BOI

GIANLUCA

37,600

8

6

67

LEI

YU

37,600

12

3

68

CITO

MARTINO

37,300

6

2

69

DE STEFANO

NICOLA

36,000

11

8

70

BACKLUND

TOMAS

35,300

6

7

71

SHELDON

DAVID

35,200

8

3

72

WYRZYKIEWICZ

REMIGIUSZ

34,800

1

3

73

MARCIANO

JOSEF

34,600

6

10

74

MERCURI

DANILO

33,500

1

1

75

LUND

BO KENNETH

32,600

9

3

76

GRIDELLA

GIUSEPPE

32,500

9

8

77

GERMANO

CARMELO

32,200

11

2

78

KERO

STEFAN

30,900

1

4

79

BEHR

PEDER

30,000

1

6

80

SCHRIEBER

ERIK

29,400

1

5

81

FALKSTEDT

ERKKI

28,800

2

7

82

BOOTHBY

ROLAND

28,700

10

3

83

ANDERSSON

CHRISTOFFER

28,400

7

8

84

LAMY

LUCIEN

28,000

2

9

85

MANCINI

GIUSEPPE

27,300

3

5

86

SALIS

MARIANO

26,800

1

7

87

DANOVA

STEFANO

26,700

9

6

88

HAMMOUD

KHALED

26,700

7

6

89

AKERVALL

JAN OLOV LENNART

25,800

8

10

90

CALISKAN

NAZIM

25,700

12

9

91

STIVALA

JEANPAUL

25,500

1

9

92

TEUMA

LINA

25,500

6

1

93

CUCCHIARA

GIUSEPPE

25,200

2

10

94

LONGWITZ

MARC

23,200

1

8

95

PROUSALOGLOU

MILTIADIS

22,300

11

5

96

VALLETTA

CATALDO

21,000

5

1

97

CARDONA

CHRISTIAN

20,900

3

3

98

ARNE VIDAR

JOHANNESEN

20,600

6

9

99

STORMOEN

FREDERIK

19,100

3

8

100

SAEBY

CHRISTIAN

18,600

11

9

101

CAMMARANO

GAETANO

17,600

3

10

102

DI DIO

SALVATORE

17,400

2

8

103

AKSELSEN

AKSEL

17,000

7

2

104

NIV

ERAN

16,100

3

6

105

IDZIAK

KRZYSZTOF

16,000

5

4

106

MINIUCCHI

MARCELLO

15,400

5

6

107

HA

KIU

15,100

7

7

108

SCHLAISL

HEPO

15,100

4

5

109

COSMIN

JOLDIS

13,900

12

10

110

SANDSMARK

SIGVE

13,900

11

6

111

SCHLECHTE

IRENA

12,400

4

2

112

LUNDE

TERJE

11,700

10

7

113

LYTTLETON

LUKE

10,400

3

9

114

BLIXT

 BENGT KRISTER

10,300

5

8

The 2014 Battle of Malta main event has surpassed all expectations to become one of the largest live, standalone poker tournaments ever held in Europe.

A total of 1,447 entries generated a prize pool of €701,795 to smash our own record for biggest poker tournament ever held in Malta.

In fact, there has never been a €550 buy-in poker event in Europe with more players or a bigger prize pool.

With numbers like that the BOM now ranks as the biggest standalone (ie not a part of a larger tour) poker tournament of comparable buy-in size in Europe this year.

Attendance in 2014 has beaten out several traditional standalone events like the Irish Poker Open in Dublin, which had 411 runners this year.

Small but eye-opening crowd in 2012.

The event that comes closest to the BOM this year was the Norwegian Championship of Poker with 1,263 players in the main event.

The new King’s Cup, organized by PokerStars at King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic on the exact same date as the BOM, attracted 551 players.

That’s 40 players less than the BOM’s Siege of Malta Second Chance event with its field of 593 players.

Crazy Idea Not So Crazy

When the idea for the first Battle of Malta was floated in 2012 the general consensus was it was risky to try and draw a crowd to a poker tournament in Malta November.

Turns out it wasn't that risky after all

Around 350 players made their way to the small Mediterranean island for the first edition, easily cracking the €150,000 guarantee and putting the BOM immediately on the poker map.

With stars like Leo Mergets taking notice, BOM is clearly on the radar.

One year later the BOM concept of combining a vacation with a low buy-in poker tournament for poker enthusiasts took off.

Instead of the expected 500 or so players an amazing 888 entries streamed in for the 2013 Battle of Malta main event, crushing the newly boosted €200,000 guarantee.

The guarantee was raised yet again to a daunting €500,000 this year but the players kept coming, making it the largest tournament prize pool of that buy-in size in Europe.

The pros noticed as well, with an elite list of names making their way to the island including Johnny Lodden, Thor Hansen, Leo Margets, Luca Pagano, Dominik Nitsche, Dominik Panka, Fabrice Soulier, Dermot Blain and more.

314% Growth Since Year One

From first to second year, the player field of the BOM main event grew by 154% and the event was nominated for “Best European Poker Event of the Year."

From the second year to this year it grew by another 63%. These are numbers you don’t see in any other poker event on the continent.

While the 2014 main event is currently down to its final two tables and side events are filling the tournament rooms, we would like to say thank you to all you hundreds of players, staff and sponsors from all over Europe who made this event possible.

From just an idea to an industry leader in under three years is an accomplishment all involved, on either side of the felt, can take pride in.

In the end, the only thing that could stop the Battle of Malta was the clock.

Facing a hard 5 am stop imposed by the Portomaso Casino our two heads-up combatants - Bulgaria's Antoan Katsarov and Malta's Alan James Brincat - played to a virtual stalemate.

The clock was forced to decide the champion according to the chip counts when no more hands could be played.

The chip leader at the time of the stop? Katsarov, who collected €122,750 and the highly sought after Battle of Malta Main Event trophy.

Runner-up Brincat kept €107,250 of the massive €701,795 prize pool, generated by a record 1,447 entries, right here at home on the island.

Keeps a big piece of the prize pool on Malta.

Play On!

With 35 players returning to start the final day we anticipated a long one and that's exactly what we got.

At about 8 pm with about 12 players left, Tournament Director Elio presented the remaining players with a couple of options.

Stop the tournament when the final nine was reached and come back to play tomorrow, or play on to the 5 am stop and the forced deal.

The players unanimously decided to play on, and that's how we proceeded.

Eight Countries Including Malta at Final Table

The Battle of Malta has truly become a bonafide draw for the entire continent and players from dozens of nations across Europe were in attendance this year.

Eight of them were represented at the 10-man final table with Sweden having the most at three players.

The Netherlands, Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Poland and Italy all had players in the mix while Brincat represented his home country of Malta.

The complete list of players and results at the 2014 Battle of Malta Main Event final table:

1 Antoan Katsarov, Bulgaria €122,750*

2 Alan James Brincat, Malta €107,250*

3 Pär Ebenhardt, Sweden €53,000

4 Oskar Szwed, Poland €42,500

5 Hugo Lemaire, France €32,000

6 Declan Connolly, Ireland €23,000

7 Pontus Dargren, Sweden €16,095

8 Johan Krans, Sweden €12,100

9 Wouter Beumers, Netherlands  €9,100

* Indicates a two-way deal

All told the final 10 players split up €431,935 between them - a record-breaking number for the Battle of Malta.

Watch Full Battle of Malta Recap Video with Maria Ho

Four More Battle of Malta Champions

While the Main Event was the maruqee event on the schedule there were four more side events that drew in players from around the world.

Aarno Kivelio

Over 593 players battled it out over two days in the Siege of Malta Second Chance Event before Russian Alexey Kovalev turned his €220 buy-in into a tidy €24,000 and the title.

Finland’s Aarvo Kiveliö won the €165 PLO Knight Crusade for €4,300 (after a deal). Tomasz Olszewski and Francesco Ruffo each took home €16,300 after chopping up the €330 BOM NLH Deepstack Turbo.

Nicodemo Piccolo, who won the first-ever Battle of Malta main event title back in 2012, made the Deepstack Turbo final table.

Arsen Sakanjans captured the Grand Master High Roller yesterday.

Check our Battle of Malta Live Coverage page for the complete rundown of all the action.