The PokerListings Battle of Malta is playing down to a winner and you can find the full results right here, updated as they happen.

The remaining players are busy fighting it out for the title of BOM champion and the €35,000 first-place prize.

Check back later for the full daily rundown and a video interview with the winner, courtesy of event host Kara Scott.

1. Nicodemo Piccolo (Italy) - €35,000
2. Giulio Astarita (Italy) - €22,300
3. Luca Capostagno (Italy) - €15,700
4. Roger Hardy (Canada) - €12,200
5. Christian Bergstrom (Sweden) - €9,100
6. Puk Nabuurs (Holland) - €7,100
7. Daniel Dalsborg (Norway) - €5,500
8. Chris Kiefert (England) - €4,600
9. Alessandro Barone (Italy) - €3,900
10. Lina Teuma (Malta) - €3,300
11. Hans Risaager (Denmark) - €2,800
12. Jonas Broden (Sweden) - €2,370
13. Cato Vonheim (Norway) - €2000
14. Pieter de Goede (Holland) - €2000
15. Rafa Contagulu (Turkey) - €2,000
16. Stevan Sopar - €1,670
17. Maris Zilgavis (Latvia) - €1,670
18. Stefano Stefanacci (Italy) - €1,670
19. Bastien Lebel (France) - €1,440
20. Giovanna DiMartino (Italy) - €1,440
21. Kristian Svensson (Sweden) - €1,440
22. Simon Hoffman (UK) - €1,440
23. Nick Jakobsen (Denmark) - €1,440
24. Terrence Byrne (USA) - €1,440
25. Francesco Crisafulli (Italy) - €1,440
26. Gabriele Russo (Italy) - €1,440
27. Davide Guerrasio (Italy) - €1,440
28. Salvatore Chillemi (Italy) - €1,275
29. Giovanni Rizzo (Italy) - €1,270
30. Johan Linder (Sweden) - €1,270
31. Gaëlle Baumann (France) - €1,270
32. Bruce Stubbs (Costa Rica) - €1,270
33. Joe Grech (Malta) - €1,270
34. Giuseppe Bellinghieri (Italy) - €1,270
35. Matijas Lundström (Sweden) - €1,270
36. Daniel Montford (Malta) - €1,270
37. Francesco Renda (Italy) - 1110€
38. Carmelo Germano (Italy) – €1,110
39. Thomas Braun (Germany) - €1,110
40. Piotr Sekuza (Poland) - €1,110
41. Biagio Torrisi (Italy) - €1,110
42. Gaetano Di Franco (Italy) - €1,110
43. Jackie Cachia (Malta) - €1,110
44. Filippo D'Accorso (Italy) - €1,110
45. Michael Agoutborde (France) - €1,110

Stay up to date with everything that's happening at the Battle of Malta right here.

PokerListings.com’s first ever live poker tournament is over and retired Italian doctor Nicodemo Piccolo is the inaugural Battle of Malta champion.

Piccolo, a former anesthesiologist who has been playing poker for more than 40 years, wasn’t fazed by the long days and said after the win that he felt happy and relaxed throughout the entire final table.

“I love the game. I used to play with friends and we used to play more than 72-hour sessions at a time,” he explained as to how he was able to deal with the long hours.

Despite playing poker for more than four decades the first BOM champion has only been playing No-Limit Hold’em tournaments for a few short years.

In that time he’s racked up well over $150,000 in live tournament earnings, the biggest score being a $65,000 win on the Italian Poker Tour in Nova Gorica.

Piccolo defeated start-of-day chip leader Giulio Astarita heads-up who received €22,300 for his runner-up finish.

Also making strong finishes were Canadian ex-pat Roger Hardy who cashed twice at this year's World Series of Poker, and UK pro Chris "DOOFUS86" Kiefert.

Giulio Astarita

Here are the full final-table results for the first PokerListings Battle of Malta. Click here for the full Battle of Malta payouts.

1. Nicodemo Piccolo (Italy) - €35,000
2. Giulio Astarita (Italy) - €22,300
3. Luca Capostagno (Italy) - €15,700
4. Roger Hardy (Canada) - €12,200
5. Christian Bergstrom (Sweden) - €9,100
6. Puk Nabuurs (Holland) - €7,100
7. Daniel Dalsborg (Norway) - €5,500
8. Chris Kiefert (England) - €4,600
9. Alessandro Barone (Italy) - €3,900

Astarita Falls Short of Chip-and-a-Chair Comeback

Giulio Astarita began Day 3 with the chip lead and made it all the way to heads-up play before making his exit.

The Italian was at a severe chip disadvantage at the beginning of the one-on-one match but managed to fight his way back to almost exactly even before losing a massive preflop all-in.

The money went in with Piccolo holding A-Q against Astarita’s A-9. The best hand held up and when the stacks were counted down it turned out Astarita was left with a single 10k chip.

Astarita was all-in blind and doubled up. The same thing happened the very next hand.

It seemed like an epic comeback might be in the works but on his third all-in his luck ran out.

So while A-Q wasn’t technically the hand that ended the tournament for Piccolo, it was definitely the one that earned him the Battle of Malta title.

Battle of Malta Daily Show with Kara Scott

Host Kara Scott gives you the lowdown on Nicodemos Piccolo's charge to victory at the first ever Battle of Malta.

LotosPoker, 888poker and Party Poker are offering $10,000 in qualifiers to PokerListings’ exclusive Battle of Malta tournament over the next month.

The Battle of Malta, which is scheduled to take place this fall, Sept. 26-29, 2013, promises a VIP experience for a lower €550 buy-in.

There will still be some big payouts, however, as the event will offer a €200,000 GTD prizepool.

Last year the event drew 349 players including pros Dan Cates, Johannes Strassmann, Gaëlle Baumann and host Kara Scott.

Eventually it was retired Italian doctor Nicodemo Piccola who walked away with €35,000 for winning the tournament.

This year Kara Scott will return as host and the guarantee has been bumped up €50,000.

LotosPoker, Party Poker and 888poker are all offering qualifying options this month that are either cheap or free.

Here’s a look at the best ways to qualify for the Battle of Malta through each site for the next couple months. For more information be sure to check our How to Qualify page.

Your deposit will get you a ticket to one of 13 exclusive BOM qualifying tournaments. Qualifier tickets will be valid for 16 days upon date of issue.

Win a comprehensive $2,400 Battle of Malta package:

Sign up to play at 888 right here!

Sign up for an 888 Poker account via our review page and win your way to the Battle of Malta 2013

*Standard Battle of Malta Terms and Conditions apply.

BOM Qualifier DATES:

Win a $2,300 all-inclusive Battle of Malta package

Sign up to play at Party Poker right here!

Sign up for an Party Poker account via our review page and win your way to the Battle of Malta 2013

*Standard Battle of Malta Terms and Conditions apply.

LotosPoker Battle of Malta Final Qualifier Dates:

€1,400 Packages Up for Grabs

Sign up for a LotosPoker account via our review page and win your way to the Battle of Malta 2013

*Standard Battle of Malta Terms and Conditions apply.

Voting for the PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards is nearly over and there are some clear frontrunners.

Pierre Neuville, Naoya Kihara and Luca Moschitta have emerged as the leaders in their respective categories but there could still be an upset before voting closes on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013.

Remember your voting will decide the top three in each category and then a PokerListings panel will pick the ultimate winners.

EPT satellite king Neuville is currently killing the 50+ category with Marcel Luske as a distant second. Konstantin Puchkov is in third with Thor Hansen close behind.

You can still vote for you favorite old-school pro here.

Sofia Lövgren

Meanwhile Kihara is a surprise leader for the Most Inspiring Player award with Max Lykov in second and Daniel Negreanu in third.

Marvin Rettenmaier, Matt Salsberg, George Danzer, Max Lykov, Rocco Palumbo and Isaac Haxton round out the various nominees.

Vote for your Most Inspiring Player here.

Finally the Future category proved to be the most competitive with Luca Moschitta and Lauri Pesonen neck-and-neck for the title. Sofia Lövgren is also in the running in third place.

Lövgren will have to hold off a surging Ole Schemion if she wants to make it to the next round.

Paul Berende, Joni Jouhkimainen, Max Altergott and James Obst can still be voted for as well.

To vote for who best represents the future of poker just go here.

Remember voting is open until Monday, Aug. 26, 2013 with the eventual winners to be announced during the PokerListings Battle of Malta.

When we put together the original list of players for our first-ever "Future Superstar" award, two names popped up over and over again.

As the award is about more than just big results -- it's about personality on-and-off the felt and a true "spirit of poker" that inspires new players to pick up the game -- opinions on who qualified varied a lot.

Virtually everybody agreed on Luca Moschitta and Sofia Lövgren, though.

One of the youngest female sponsored pros in the world, the PKR-patched Lövgren earned her way on the team a couple of years ago based on hand volume and success - not just looks - and is an inspiration to young female grinders everywhere.

Italian Moschitta - famed for claiming not one but two Porsches from FPPs alone - is a longtime SuperNova Elite working his way into the live game in Italy with a great attitude and an open ear for new players hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Put them together as a poker power couple and it's easy to see why our panelists felt the future of poker is in good hands with them carrying the torch.

PokerListings Spain's Esther Diaz Amores caught up with the two at the ongoing EPT Barcelona to talk about their great success at such a young age.

PokerListings: Young, successful, good-looking and so popular you “occupy” our PokerListings Awards with two out of three nominations for the “Future Superstar” title. Seriously, guys – do you ever think you are pushing it a little bit too much?

Inspiration to young grinders.

Lövgren: Well … It’s fun! About the awards, I have to say that having been nominated by PokerListings as “most successful young poker player” feels like an honor to me.

Moschitta: What I really liked about the award was its description. You know, there are many winners in the game out there but very few are actually a good example for it as well. So I am very glad for having been part of that.

It’s an international competition and – well – if it would have been up to me, my name would have probably not been there.

PL: Well, let’s find who your picks are then. IF you had the chance to pick someone young who did particularly good during 2012/2013, whom would you go for?

Moschitta: This is a good question, especially as – if you look at the average age, not so many young players got great results during the past year.

When I started playing I was 18 and that was the moment when a lot of players of about the same age were starting to crush the tables live and online.

If you look at it today, except for some examples like Viktor Blom, the same players who started a few years ago are today’s poker ambassadors.

Moschitta: It’s an honor because it means I did a good job.

PL: Any names stand out?

Moschitta: Paul Berende is a very good guy, a fair player and when you play against him you can definitely feel all this.

How about you, Sofia? What about your personal pick for this category?

Lövgren: I think Martin Jacobson is a very good Swedish player. 

Moschitta: Yes, he is – although he is also not so young anymore.

Lövgren: You know, finding a name for this category is a hard task to do as the prize is not about winning a lot of money but about being a good ambassador for the game and to inspire other players to start playing.

PL: So, how would it feel to win the award then?

Lövgren: Actually I think I already feel like a winner because I have been nominated amongst these players. Yet, I think that when other people have expectations on your future it’s not always good.

I think that it is not what you say but what you will do that matters. The important thing is always only what you really do. If I say I am going to do something … well … it’s not until I have done it that it becomes something.

Berende another good pick, says Moschitta.

Moschitta: Even just having been picked is a very big honor to me. Again, I liked the description very much. It’s not about the money you win but it is about all the things that you have done.

During the past year I spent a lot of time off the table talking and chatting about the game with regulars and newcomers who asked me how to start with the game and now it’s an honor because it means I did a good job.

PL: Did you think we made a mistake nominating any of the people in the list?

Lövgren: All of the people there are good players, and of course it’s very motivating to be selected by people who believe in you. I work a lot on poker, this is what we do, so it’s fun and motivating. It’s easier to continue when you see that people believe in you. 

PL: So, erm … did you vote for yourself?

Lövgren: I didn’t (laughs). But my family did (laughs more.

Moschitta: Also my family voted for me. (laughs)

PL: OK, enough with the PokerListings awards – I have a question for Sofia now. “Poker players are like small companies. We need to be able to change and innovate our game” – In case you missed it, we found this digging on Luca’s blog. Do you agree with him?

Lövgren: Of course. The game is developing all the time and the game is becoming better. Players who were on the .25/.50 on PKR now are done and are playing 2/4.

Players are becoming better all the time – you must develop your game to continue. You should not only think that you are unlucky if you lose.

It's what you do that matters.

You should also think about how to fix your leaks and how can you become a better poker player.

Anyone can always improve and you must really always be critical to yourself in order to become a better poker player.

PL: This idea of trying, changing and somehow even growing within the game reminds me of something Ben Sulsky said lately lamenting that too many people are now sticking to their game and not trying enough new stuff. Are you, Luca, on the same page?

Moschitta: Of course I agree, I live the game.

I stared playing six years ago or maybe even more and If I try to make a comparison between before and today … well, today it’s another game. 

I feel I changed something too and I am lucky to be here because it means I made the right changes at the right time.

PL: And lately you've changed quite a bitin your poker life as well. Since your contract with PokerStars came to an end you moved from being a hardcore grinder to becoming a regular in the live scene. How has your daily life changed since then?

Moschitta:  Well, I started playing live when I became 18 and I have been playing live and online at the very same time.

"You must give yourself a set goal and try to reach it, always."

I am a Supernova Elite on PokerStars and that means I played a huge amount of hands but at the same time I was playing a tournament a month, I was developing my skills for live poker.

At first I obviously wasn’t a very good player. And today I still need to improve a lot.

When you come here and you see people playing 50K tournaments you feel you want to do something more. You must do something more to become a better player because there are better players around.

You must give yourself a set goal and try to reach it, always. I think today, if you are a good online poker player, you are also a good live poker player. What you need to learn is how to be at a live table.

PL: Which means …?

Moschitta: It means learning how to understand tells. It means developing as “a person” at the table.

PL: Do you miss those daily hours-long sessions on PokerStars.it?

Moschitta: I don’t because when I feel like playing, I still play a lot online. But I took a break for couple of months. And it’s summer.

During the last four years I never really enjoyed summer because I was playing much more than now but – of course, I miss online a bit.

"I just want to play poker."

Probably I will start playing again very seriously starting from January.

PL: Sofia – you are still grinding hard on PKR. How much do still you like it?

Lövgren: Oh yes. I am going to play a lot once I am back in Sweden, a lot of 6-max cash games online.

PL: Do you see yourself doing anything else anytime soon? Anything different than just playing?

Lövgren: At the moment I see things more in the short term, and for now I just want to play poker to improve my game. I also want to continue playing live tournaments and online cash games. It’s so fun that I just want to continue.

It’s hard to see it in 10 years, I don’t know what I will be doing then.

I was planning to take one year off after high school to play full time and I became successful and got the opportunity to be a team poker pro for PKR and since then I have been playing poker full time.

I was also planning to go for a university degree but as poker is going so well I don’t want to start doing anything else, I just want to play poker.

PL: Seeing that you both come from the online world I have a question I need to ask you as I heard a lot against online players lately. The last player to talk to me about it was Irish poker icon Padraig Parkinson in Galway. He accused young online players of being very annoying when they play live, spending more time tapping on their iPhone than joining the table talk. What’s your take on that?

Moschitta: You are talking to the wrong people. Sofia and I are posting very much on social networks and these kind of things.

Padraig picking on the wrong people.

PL: Why? Why do you like that?

Moschitta: It’s not about liking it or not. We have many people following us, our families too – everyone who wants to live the tournament with us and get fresh news about the tournament.

If you spend five minutes during your game to do something on Facebook or Twitter  - it’s fine. It’s also part of the job: if you want to be a professional poker player today, you must do this too. Many players get sponsored because they are active on social networks.

You have to be available for everyone, people must know you, they must follow your tournament and enjoy it with you.

PL: Yet some people still see it differently 

Moschitta: it depends. If you sit at the table of a 5K tournament to watch a movie, I agree, that’s not very nice. You are not respecting the money and the table. I am fine by that.

But using your phone for five minutes to tweet something, I think it is part of the game.

PL: Poker-wise, if we opened the common EU market and allowed Swedish players to play against Italians – who do you think would win?

Lövgren: Sweden is a big country but Italy has ten times more people …

Moschitta: But Swedish players are better than Italian ones. It’s very clear.

PL: Let’s play a small game. Name three things that you love aboutf each other’s country.

Lövgren: The sea … you don’t like so much about Sweden, do you Luca?

Moschitta:: You are from Sweden, I live in Italy – we are very lucky to live in nice countries. Sweden is a nice place when you go in the summer but if you go in winter it can get easily -20 degrees. It’s another kind of life

People are very friendly, they are fair…

Lövgren: Swedes are very friendly people and very honest. You know, if you drop your phone somewhere, you have a very good chance to get it back.

Moschitta: She knows that because she lost her phone about 10 times and she always got it back.

PL: Let’s close getting back to where we started. Last time you played a big tournament in Malta, you ended up bluffing Phil Hellmuth. How about the Battle of Malta then? Would you do the same against Daniel Cates or Johannes Strassmann?

Lövgren: I love Malta for many different reasons. The climate, the food and because it’s a great place. We still need some time but we are moving there.

Next stop: Battle of Malta.

I love Malta, so I really want to play more poker there, we will see what happens there.

Luca, last time you “broke up” with PokerStars you then ended up winning an IPT title. So – what do you need to happen to make you win the Battle of Malta?

Moschitta: I just need to concentrate, to play my best … even if in poker you can’t decide when you win. In poker everything is about “the long term." 

You might not get anything out of what you do now but if you are doing good, maybe you will win in one year. Yet, I know that if I do my best, I can get results.

PL: Let’s close it with a stupid prop-bet as nowadays everyone seems to be into one. Which one of you will manage to get more Facebook likes and Tweets for this interview?

Moschitta: It’s a good competition, we both have a lot of followers. I don’t know.

PL: Let’s see in Malta, guys. We will check once we will meet again at the Battle of Malta. Because you will be there, right?

Both: Yes, definitely.

Famed Swedish/Finnish adult film superstar Puma Swede will bring her own flair to the upcoming PokerListings Battle of Malta tournament.

Swede has appeared in over 120 movies and runs a provocative blog where she offers snippets of her daily life. She’s been nominated for several AVN awards.

Recently Swede also released her autobiography “Puma Swede, My Life as a Porn Star” to rave reviews in Sweden. The book details the highs and lows of Hollywood life (Swede moved to California in 2004).

Swede will be one of the many notable names to attend the tournament along with Finnish stunt group The Dudesons.

While Swede isn’t as experienced as some of the poker players that will be attending the Battle of Malta she’s going to fit right in with several VIP parties on tap during the tournament. 

Puma Swede

The PokerListings Battle of Malta, which runs Sept. 26-29, 2013, is open to any interested participants and the buy-in is only €550.

We sat down with Puma Swede to discuss her participation at the Battle of Malta:

PokerListings: Hey Puma - What have you been up to lately?

Puma Swede: Same shit, different toilet ;) I've been shooting, hanging at the beach, doing webcamshows, crossfitting and just being my fabulous self :)

PL: How's your poker game?

I have the best confidence in the world and I always think I will win. Do I always win? You'll have to wait and see :)

PL: How many live events have you played and how have you faired?

I play mostly at a friends house. Last event I played at was in Sweden and I finished at 6th place out of 30...

PL: What will you do with your prize should you finish in the money at BOM?

Spend it of course :) Most likely on travel and maybe get a mini pig :)

PL: What's more nerve-wracking. Poker or Porn?

The Battle of Malta

Both. It depends who you're 'playin' with :)

PL: So, the Dudesons are also playing BOM. Are you planning to hang out with them? Will Malta ever be the same again?

My motto is: I come, I **** shit up and I leave... They seem crazy enough and they're Finns too so I do hope I get to hang out with them :) So if Malta still is intact after our visit I don't know, hahahaa...

PL: What are your plans away from the tables in Malta?

I don't plan so much. I'm spontaneous so I'm not worried there will be plenty of fun stuff happening away (and under) the tables ;)

PL: You’re pretty active on instagram and twitter. Can we expect plenty of Tweets and 'grams while in Malta?

Hell yeah! How else would you know I'm still alive lol :)

PL: Any other Adult performers who have a pretty good poker game?

Never played with any other adult performers so I have no idea. But I bet there is... At least in strip poker :)

PL: Any cool projects coming up in 2013?

My book will be released in English (My Life As A Pornstar) so more people can have some good literature to read :) I will do more traveling :) That is if I come back in one piece from BOM of course :)

PL: What’s your strategy for Battle of Malta?

Cheat, steal & win ;) And have fun :)

When you're old, you don't want to be thinking about the things you didn't do. You want to think about the things you did you.

That's what Finnish pals The Dudesons are all about -- even if those things include dropping your balls into a mousetrap.

Maybe especially if they include dropping your balls in a mousetrap.

If you've never seen The Dudesons in America on MTV, just picture Jackass but with more endearing, less handsome, lifelong friends from the Arctic Circle. You'd enjoy it. Trust us.

As special guests at the 2013 PokerListings Battle of Malta The Dudesons are preparing to drop their own unique brand of mayhem on the tiny island and Dudeson Jukka Hilden gave us a few hints at what's in store. More on the Battle of Malta here.

PokerListings: What's the origin of The Dudesons?

Jukka Hilden: Growing up on the west coast of Finland I bumped into the other boneheads known as Jarppi, Jarno and HP while skateboarding and snowboarding.

Brothers from other mothers.

Rest is history. We've been like brothers from other mothers since elementary school.

PokerListings: You've caused havoc all over the world with your stunts. Why Malta? Why The Battle of Malta?

Jukka Hilden: Why not? We’d love to bring some Dudesons antics into poker and it's perfect timing right after we're done shooting the second set of our new show in Finland.

So it's a boy’s trip to let go and rock-and-roll a bit.

PokerListings: How you are preparing for the Battle of Malta? Putting your balls in a mousetrap doesn't count :)

Jukka Hilden: I try to keep my balls out of mousetraps but HP prepared for the trip by pissing onto an electric fence.

PokerListings: Who has the best poker game in the group?

Jukka Hilden: Each one of us only has two facial expressions. Hat on, hat off. So go figure :)

PokerListings: Fellow Finn Puma Swede is also coming to BOM. Have you ever crossed paths before?

Jarppi: Lost a thumb wrestling a bear.

Jukka Hilden: Nope but I heard that HP studied her productive output thoroughly last night.

PokerListings: Is this some kind of Finnish takeover of BOM? Will Malta ever be the same again?

Jukka Hilden: Yup. It's a strategic move from our president. Sending us to Malta as the first wave to explore what natural resources it might have.

PokerListings: What types of injuries have you guys amassed over the years?

Jukka Hilden: Oh man ... Plenty. But chicks dig scars right? Jarppi lost a thumb wrestling a bear back in the days.

PokerListings: You're trapped on a desert island with the Jackass crew, the Nitro Circus guys and the Dirty Sanchez boys. Who's left standing at the end?

Jukka Hilden: Sounds pretty gay to me :)

PokerListings: Speaking of Jackass, you appeared in Jackass 3D (as well as your own feature film The Dudesons Movie). Any movie plans for the future, you're in LA right now right?

Jukka Hilden: We produced Dudesons in America together with Knoxville and Tremaine of Jackass and did a few stunts for the movie at the same time. Great fun but seems like we're too ugly for the big screen...

PokerListings: Rank your favorite 5 stunts you've ever performed.

Jukka Hilden:

One way to make a bull angry.

PokerListings: Who has the best chance of cashing in at BOM and what will he do with the money?

Jukka Hilden: Probably our pet pig Britney. Except he died a few years ago. So, good question.

PokerListings: What about attire? Are you guys gonna go for the shades-and-cap-poker-look or something a little more Dudesons? Not sure if the casino allows bondage gear or animal suits.

Jukka Hilden: Santa Claus might bring Christmas to town.

PokerListings: Live poker tournaments can be a pretty serious affair. How would you give BOM an extreme Dudesons makeover?

Expect this, plus Santa Claus.

Jukka Hilden: I hope we bring some Dudesons positive anarchy to BOM.

PokerListings: Any poker pros out there that would fit in with The Dudesons?

Jukka Hilden: They got way too much skill to be part of such an untalented group of goofheads :)

PokerListings: What's coming up from The Dudesons in 2013 and 2014?

Jukka Hilden: Just putting together Season 5 of our stunt show and filming the third season of Dudesons Home Invasion.

That’s our new show where we move in with an ordinary Finnish family that has a problem and we try to solve it.

You heard right... Dudesons meets Dr. Phil meets hell breaks loose.

PokerListings: What can we expect from The Dudesons at the Battle of Malta?

Jukka Hilden: That's to be seen. See you in Malta.

The question has buzzed around the poker community for a few years now:

How do we bring more recreational players into poker and how do we keep them playing?

For an industry that thrives on new blood much of the focus over the last few years has shifted to the hardcore, full-time grinder.

At PokerListings, our mission has always been a little different. We've always strived to bring and keep new players to the game, and that's the essence of our first-ever Spirit of Poker Awards.

To celebrate successful players iin poker who also go out of their way to encourage and inspire new players to pick up the game we all love.

We gave out three awards this year - each of which will be presented live at the PokerListings Battle of Malta - but our marquee award is definitely the Most Inspiring Player award.

Bringing a love of poker to Japan.

With big names like Daniel Negreanu, Max Lykov and Marvin Rettenmaier among the nominees Japan's Naoya Kihara might have been considered a longshot to win.

But those who have met him know just how much time, effort and positivity he brings to the game and it certainly wasn't surprising to us to see his name rise to the top.

We're thrilled to call Kihara our 2013 Most Inspiring Player and got his thoughts on the award, his success and how we can keep bringing the game of poker to the world.

PokerListings: You were matched up with some impressive names in the Most Inspiring Player category. How does it feel to win over such a tough field?

Naoya Kihara: I'm very surprised and thrilled to win the award. Now I really feel like the poker community has an interest in the Japanese market. I need to continue sharing how much fun poker is!

PL: Is there anyone in particular you’ve found inspiring in your poker career?

NK: Four years ago when I went to Las Vegas for the first time I played with one Chinese guy. He played 50% of hands and made really good bluffs and value bets. Before that, all the good players I played with were tight-aggressive but that was my first time to see a really good loose-aggressive pro.

And last year at ACOP I played with Joseph Cheong in a tournament. At that time, I understood we shouldn't worry too much about giving off implied odds but now I think about odds more correctly.

PL: What piece of advice would you give players (young and old) getting into the game now?

Cheong: Will change your feelings on odds too.

To new players: Play a lot of hands. You should play different kinds of poker also. Two years ago I started playing PLO mainly, which made my NLHE better.

Last year I started 8-game, and I learned how important it is to get thin value from limit games.

To older players: Let's enjoy poker more. You don't need to fit the young players' style too much.

If you've played a 3x open style you don't need to switch to small-ball style, just use your own style and enjoy poker. I think it's the best way.

PL: What does the poker community need to do to keep bringing new players into the game?
 
NK: We need to show how fun and exciting a game poker is. When people talk about poker, always a lot of the story is about big money.

When new people hear about poker and big money, it can feel daunting and dangerous. But if we play tournaments we can play poker even without big money. We can enjoy this game even with the new player.

PL: What’s one thing we should definitely stop doing?

NK: Beginners sometimes make bad calls and sometimes catch a few outs. After a bad beat some players try to show how bad that call was. These players don't know what a bad thing they're doing.

Poker is just a game and if we keep to the rules, everything is allowed. The beginner made a bad odds call, but he made no “bad action.” People need to stop yelling at our opponents' playing.

PL: The legal situation for poker in Japan is a bit complex – how hard is it to maintain a professional poker career without much understanding of the game there?

NK: It is really hard to acquire professional skill in Japan with such a small community and live cash games being illegal. If we want to play cash games in Macau or Las Vegas, we need to win much more to pay for hotel and airfare for example.

"We need to show how fun and exciting a game poker is."

But after you learn the skills to be a poker pro it is not as hard to maintain it! Now I have enough skill to win more and pay for hotels and airfare.

Three really good things about being a Japanese poker pro:

PL: How important/supportive has the Japanese poker community been to your success and can you tell us a bit about it?

NK: The biggest Japanese poker forum 'hyahhoo' is really supportive for me. I got the most votes for this award but I guess many of them are from the 'hyahhoo' forum.

We have a hand review forum there and I always give advice to them but sometimes we have a good discussion that can change my poker game for the better.

PL: What things have you seen both in Japan and on the professional circuit that most inspire new players to pick up the game?

NK: There is Shogi, Igo and Mahjong in Japan and all are popular in Japan. But the rules are so complicated and difficult.

"Let's enjoy this great game together!"

To teach the rules of them it’s more difficult than to teach a beginner all of 8-game. Poker rules are simple and easy. But, of course, to be a good player is really difficult.
 
And, everybody in every country, people love money! There is a big dream to get a lot of money after our skills go up. I proved this to Japan last year and Moneymaker proved in 2003.
 
PL: Any thoughts on playing the Battle of Malta? Have you been here before? Any expectations for the tournament?

NK: It is the first time to come here. We are coming to Malta not only for poker but as a honeymoon too. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of beautiful sights. Especially we want to see the beautiful sea.

PL: Any special words for your fans/family?

NK: Poker is a really exciting game. Let's enjoy this great game together!

It’s been said before but it looks like action could potentially resume soon in the seemingly endless durrrr Challenge between Tom Dwan and Dan “jungleman12” Cates.

“We’ve come to a new agreement,” explained Cates from the PokerListings Battle of Malta.

“I think there’s a pretty good chance we play 4,000 hands this month. I feel like I’ve said that a million times though.”

According to Cates, Dwan will have a serious incentive to play under the terms of the new agreement.

“With the deal we have now, I’ll make money either way,” he said.

Dwan didn’t want to disclose the deal until they’ve actually started putting in some hands. Cates said if they don’t play any hands in September, he’d probably have to release information about the deal.

Despite the frustration behind the delay, Cates understands why he’s not exactly Dwan’s first choice to play.

“He has a lot of options,” Cates said. “He can play in the good games in Macau against businessmen, so why would he want to play against me?”

“I think it’s against the spirit of the bet though. I think he realizes that and wants to make it right.”

Cates Calls David ‘Viffer’ Peat a “Total Scumbag”

David "Viffer" Peat

Cates also took the time to share his thoughts on the controversial David “Viffer” Peat who has slammed Cates via Twitter on numerous occasions.

“Basically I think Viffer is a total scumbag,” said Cates. “I think he’s trying to angle me and I don’t think anybody should ever do business with him.”

Cates gave some background on the highly publicized bet between him and Viffer.

“I booked a 20% crossbook with Viffer for the durrrr Challenge,” he said. “I also did a side bet of $50k to his $62k.”

Earlier this year Cates and Viffer traded some action in a live $2k/$4k game. As Cates was leaving he paid out Viffer his $160k piece.

According to Cates it was at this point that Viffer said, “By the way, I’m not paying you for the durrrr Challenge. I just paid him $160,000 and he owed me hundreds of thousands.”

“He compared Black Friday to a rain delay in baseball,” Cates said. “He said it was all a wash.”

Eventually Viffer backed down and said they had action when durrrr and Cates started playing again. According to Cates, Viffer reneged on that promise too, and denied ever saying that.

“No rational person acts like this,” said Cates. Check out even more in our video interiew with Cates:

Put it in the books: The 2013 Battle of Malta has blown the doors off the Portomaso Casino with 888 total runners and a massive €440k+ prize pool.

While a healthy field was expected an overwhelming crowd descended on Malta to push the Casino to full capacity and even leave a few on the waiting list.

The official prize pool won't be announced until tomorrow but a safe estimate is right around €444,000 - an impressive 2.5x the original guarantee.

The benficiaries? Everyone who makes the money -- and particularly this year's tourney winner who should pocket around €100k along with the super cool BOM trophy.

On a €550 buy-in, that's a truly extraordinary number.

The Thrill of a Big Tour without the Cost or Pressure

Kara Scott: Has a pretty good idea why people love the BOM.

In just its second year the PokerListings Battle of Malta is proving it fills an important niche in the poker community.

With the big tours - the EPT, WPT and WSOP - stuffed with pros and hefty buy-ins, the atmosphere is tense, quiet and pressure packed.

At BOM the overwhelming vibe is fun. Table talk is lively, stories are being swapped and the joy of the game is at the forefront.

Host Kara Scott, a veteran on the pro circuit with plenty of experience in big buy-in events, is enjoying what she sees:

"When I'm playing in really big events, like the World Series Main Event, the Irish Open, some of the big WPTs, you get a lot of pros at your tables.

"And that's, you know, we're there to make money and they're there to make their living so I understand it, but there's a lot of headphones, it's prety quiet, there's not a lot of talking.

"Here at the Battle of Malta it's kind of the opposite of that.

"People want to know each other's stories, there'a a lot more talking at the tables... I didn't see almost anyone wearing headphones and almost tuning out of their table.... It's more of a relaxed atmosphere. It's more about enjoying the game..."

Check out Kara's full take on the BOM and why it's so successful below; check all the latest live updates straight from the floor right here.

Louis Cartarius outlasted a record-setting field and a couple of upstart Finns to win €80,000 on Sunday at the 2013 PokerListings Battle of Malta.

“I guess I have to come back now,” laughed Cantarius. “Malta is really great and it’s been a nice trip.”

The Frankfurt-based online grinder earned his BOM package via Betsafe Poker and carried the Betsafe flag all the way to the title.

Big run at FT for Cartarius.

Biggest Poker Tournament Ever Held in Malta

A total of 888 entries -- nearly triple last year’s attendance -- made this year’s event the biggest tournament ever held in Malta.

Cartarius also out-dueled Konrad Abela heads-up. Abela would have become the first local to win the Battle of Malta.

The final day of the Battle of Malta began with 24 players still in the hunt for the title including Finnish duo Lauri Pesonen and Jukka Hilden. 

Jukka, who is a member of the Finnish stunt crew The Dudesons, proved to be a surprisingly skilled poker player and, in between joking and ordering trays full of beer, he managed to finish 17th for €3,950.

Meanwhile Pesonen, who is Finland’s fifth-best player on the Global Poker Index, made it all the way to fifth place and earned €19,000 for his efforts.

Biggest Score of Cartarius' Career

Ambjorn Haga had to settle for third.

It was another fast day at the Battle of Malta as they went from 24 players to a winner in nine hours of play.

Norwegian Ambjorn Haga dominated the chip counts for much of the day and at points looked unstoppable with 50% of the chips in play.

Unfortunately for Haga, Cartarius turned the tide three-handed when he won a huge coinflip with pocket fours against Haga’s Ace-Nine.

Cartarius finally busted Haga and then dusted off Konrad Abela in less than five hands heads-up.

It was a surprising outcome for Cartarius who entered the final table second-to-last in chips.

He hasn’t had a lot of success at live tournaments yet either but that changed today.

“This is my biggest live score for sure,” he said.

At just €550 to play, the Battle of Malta is the premier low buy-in, high-value tournament in Europe.

Here are the complete final-table payouts; video below:

The record-breaking 2013 Battle of Malta has made the elite long-list of nominees for Best European Event of the Year at the upcoming GPI European Poker Awards.

Valuing creativity and overall feel of the event the high-profile award represents the most noteworthy and talked-about individual poker events (not complete tours) of the year.

With a phenomenal 888 entries and a €440,000 prize pool that obliterated the €200k guarantee, the 2013 BOM was selected by a team of industry veterans and European poker experts at the Global Poker Index.

Joining the Battle of Malta among the nominees are well-established events including EPT Barcelona, the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo and WPT Cyprus.

BOM Just in Second Year, Big 2014 Planned

Jungleman just one of the BOM converts.

“We feel extremely honored to be nominated in this elite category,” PokerListings CEO Martin Carlesund said, “and very proud of the product we have put together.

“In just its second year the Battle of Malta surpassed all expectations and the response we got from players was overwhelming and contagious.

“We’re already preparing a jaw-dropping product full of surprises for 2014 with even more of the 'poker holiday' feel everyone has loved.”

The 2013 Battle of Malta is also officially in the record books as the biggest poker tournament ever held on Malta. With its growing reputation the BOM is now entrenched as a must-attend event for low- to mid-stakes players.

More information about the PokerListings Battle of Malta and how to register for 2014 here.

The 13th Annual GPI European Poker Awards will be presented January 29, 2014 at the Casino Barriere in Deauville, France as part of EPT Deauville. The full list of nominees and awards can be found in the next couple of weeks here.

Watch a video recap of the 2013 Battle of Malta with host Kara Scott below:

Think winning a single, low buy-in tournament can't change your life?

Just ask Battle of Malta 2013 winner Louis Cartarius, who's taken the confidence (and profit) from his win to move up in stakes, set new goals and, as it turns out, make the island his new home.

The 22-year-old online pro from Germany came to Malta last year for fun and ended up taking down the biggest score of his young career when he won the BOM main event for €68,000 (after a deal).

”It definitely gave me a lot of confidence," Cartarius told PokerListings in Talinn, Estonia late last year where he was playing the annual Superweekend tournament.

“Before Battle of Malta I was playing mid-stakes heads-up hyper turbo Sit-n-Go’s, but now I've moved up to high-stakes.

"The win gave me that comfort zone you have to be in to resist those swings there are in hyper turbo SNG’s. It made me play those games more comfortably than before."

Huge Value in Low Buy-in, Big Field Tournaments

Talinn's Superweekend is a similar tournament to the Battle of Malta with a €500 buy-in and a field mostly consisting of recreational players. Cartarius opted for Tallinn although most of his poker playing friends from Germany went to Prague for the bigger annual poker festival.

Big field, big value.

Cartarius got his seat at Superweekend through a rake race on Betsafe, one of the organisers of the tournament, but he actually also prefers playing smaller events.

“I like playing tournaments like this and there can be huge value for good players to go here. For a good player from Estonia it can be really good for him to play, because you might have many package players and drunk guys at your table."

“There are very few players who take it very seriously and I must also admit that I came here mostly for the fun."

Cartarius also mainly chose to play Battle of Malta because of its fun and friendly atmosphere. He remembers that on Day 2 he had a small nap at the table after a long night out and he also did not get that much sleep the night before the final day.

He went to bed early but his friend, who he shared a room with, came home later that night accompanied by two girls. Twins even.

“So I had to get out and sleep in front of my own hotel room while he had fun with the girls in the room," recalls Louis with a big smile.

Relocates to Malta, Expected in BOM 2014 Field

Expect the reigning champ back in 2014.

Later that day Cartarius was the one to smile when he took down BOM for his biggest career score.

He started the final day with a mid-sized stack, entered the final table with the smallest stack but eventually triumphed over the massive field of 888 players.

“Battle of Malta was no skill accomplishment. I had 15 big blinds after Day 1, I had 15 big blinds after Day 2 and I was just lucky to win the tournament."

Cartarius’ memories of Malta are so fond that he even moved to the sunny Mediterranean island this month. Malta is already a popular destination for many online grinders and he'll join a few fellow German players there.

Find out how you can join him at the 2014 BOM via our main Battle of Malta page.

When you think of creative, young, dedicated and talented poker players, you don't think very long before you arrive at the name Sofia Lövgren.

One of the brightest young stars in poker, Lövgren learned to play poker at just 16 years old. Four years later she was the first female ever to join Team PKR.

After four successful years flying the PKR flag - with results including a 30th-place finish at the EPT Main Event in San Remo, a 16th at the EPT High Roller in London and five impressive WSOP cashes - Lövgren made the jump to the elite Team 888poker this year.

One of the three finalists for the PokerListings Rising Star Award in 2013 Lövgren came to the Battle of Malta with her boyfriend, Luca Moschitta, and did nothing but solidify our impression of her as one of the great young ambassadors in poker.

While Moschitta walked away with the award last year it's Lövgren who is nominated again this year along with seven other great young players from across the world.

Now at the 2014 WSOP, PokerListings Sweden's Denni Balic took the chance to discuss her nomination, her move to Malta, her future in poker and more.

First-ever female PKR pro makes the leap to 888.

PokerListings: You’ve done many things lately. Left PKR, jumped over to 888poker and now moved to Malta. What’s the next thing?

Sofia Lövgren: It’s all in with 888poker! I’d like to dedicate more time to play poker and to travel around the world to play at some live events. Actually I just arrived in Vegas to play at the WSOP.

So far I've only had time to play one event and I actually won something! But my plan is to play at least seven events, including the Main Event. One of my goals is actually to reach the final table!

Then I really look forward to the European Poker Tour in Barcelona and the WSOP in Melbourne. It will so fun to play in Australia. That will be my first time ever!

PL: Last year you were nominated for a PokerListings Spirit of Poker Award in the same category as your boyfriend Luca Moschitta. Was there any dischord between you two after the award ceremony?

SL: No, I was actually very happy for Luca. 2013 was a good year for him so I think that they picked the right winner.

Keep in mind that he is Italian and they really hate to lose. So yeah, it was probably the best choice for our “domestic peace."

Just take a look at the things that happened when Italy lost against Uruguay in the World Cup.

PL: This year you're nominated again. How does it feel and what do you think about the other players in your category?

SL: You always have to be innovative, show passion and work hard to promote poker to others.

My goal is to spread the positive things about poker. So for me it’s a great honor to be nominated.

However, there are many other interesting players. (Jack) Salter is one of them. He is doing really well but I’m the only girl.

PL: So what is the next step in your career? You mentioned something about university studies before.

SL: When I finished secondary school I wanted to take a break. Just to travel and play poker full time.

"My goal is to spread the positive things about poker."

My idea was to do this before continuing my studies, but it went very well with poker and I got recruited to Team PKR.

For the moment I have the best opportunity to combine poker with my favorite hobby – to make money, travel around and meet new people.

The advantage is that I get the chance to learn more about international PR.

PL: And if you decided to study something, what would it be?

SL: I would say economy and business. It’s very interesting and also a family tradition.

If I would do something else instead of playing poker I would most probably start my own business.

PL: How long are you going to play poker for?

SL: Well, at least the coming years I think, as long as I continue to win.

Poker is something I really love even if I would decide to spend time on something else in the future.

Count on me! I will still play poker in the coming years.

PL: Last year you came to play the Battle of Malta. How do you think it will go for you this year?

SL: It was really fun to play at the 2013 Battle of Malta. I did well on Day 1 but on the second day I busted quite early.

This year there will be more players joining the tournament and the GTD is bigger, which makes the Battle of Malta even more attractive!

And did I mention that I’m living next to the casino? That should bring me some extra luck, right?

2014 Battle of Malta will be bigger than ever.

PL: How come you moved to Malta?

SL: We’ve been in Malta several times before we finally decided to move. I love Malta and the climate is fantastic. It’s so different from my hometown Gothenburg.

As a poker player you don’t have to stick to a specific place. As long as you have an internet connection, everything is fine.

You can work from wherever you want. It could be on a sailboat somewhere in Sweden or in a hotel room in Barcelona.

We fly to Gothenburg and Catania in Sicily quite often. After all I have to say that the connection between those destinations and Malta is good. This is very important for us.

There are many poker tournaments taking place in Malta too but the Battle of Malta feels like home.

PL: If you had the chance to choose a tablemate, who would it be?

SL: I would go for Richard Nixon, the old American president.

PL: How come?

SL: When he tries to bluff, he really sucks! I would so knock him out.

PL: Okay, let’s put it this way. Who would you rather avoid to sit with?

SL: I don’t really want to sit next to Suárez. Well, at least if I’m bare-shouldered.

PL: Both you and Luca are seen as part of the new "thinking generation” of poker players. How do you think other poker players perceive your success?

SL: No idea what they think about me, but I know that many people like Luca.

PL: What do you think the poker industry will look like in 10 years?

SL: For now it’s very hard to say. Everything depends on the market legislations around the world.

"You always have to be innovative, show passion and work hard to promote poker to others."

However, if they legalize online poker in more US states, then I think that poker would become more popular like it was in 2006.

PL: Back to the PokerListings awards. Why should people vote for you?

SL: I don’t like to brag about myself so it’s better if you ask the guys who nominated me.

PL: Okay, but what's the difference between you and the other nominees?

SL: It could be my love towards poker. I really love poker and I love the PR part around it.

Apart from that I always share my experiences with others. I think it’s good for the industry to see a normal girl from Sweden who is doing well, even internationally.

PL: If you manage to get to the final table or if you win the Battle of Malta 2014, how would you celebrate your victory?

SL: I would invite all the players to my place before we go out for a nice dinner at Portomaso.

Then I think there would be time for some crazy partying too. Who knows, maybe some journalists could join us.

PL: How do you celebrate your success in poker in general?

SL: Well, mostly with my closest ones. We always have a good meal together and obviously some wine too.

It's hard to burst onto the live poker scene in a bigger way than Spain's Adrián Mateos did last year.

Winning a €1k Estrellas Poker Tour event in Madrid in January for €103,053 would have been an impressive enough debut for any teenager.

But that wasn't enough for Mateos, who went on to bag the biggest title in Europe - the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event - in the Fall for €1,000,000.

Not ony did he win it against some of the toughest competition in the world - Fabrice Soulier, Dominik Nitsche, Ravi Raghavan, Benny Spindler and fellow Spirit of Poker nominee Shannon Shorr were all all that final table - but he did so in impressive fashion, looking calm, confident and aggressive the whole way through.

What could possibly be more inspiring than that kind of win at just 19 years old? The way Mateos handled it and kept on grinding, spreading the game and its joys to more and more people everywhere he went.

PokerListings Spain's Esther Amores caught up with Mateos to find out more about his whirlwind debut season, his optimistic outlook on life and poker and more.

Already won one of the biggest prizes in poker. What next?

PokerListings: What did you think when you found out you were one of the nominees for the PokerListings Rising Star Award?

Adrián Mateos: The first thing was to share the nomination with my parents and we were reading the article.

PL: What do you think about the awards, which not only focus on big scores but on inspiring people to play poker?

AM: Those awards give you recognition, they are very good because is something completely different from the first goal that you have in a tournament: make the most money as possible.

PL: Who do you thinks is the strongest nominee in your category?

AM: I think the strongest is Dominik Panka. He has some amazing performances this year and also he is a very friendly player. I have a good relationship with him.

PL: In your short poker career, you've achieved one of the biggest prizes with the WSOPE Main Event bracelet. Were you confident at the beginning of the tournament that you were going to win or did you have some doubts?

AM: I'm a very optimistic person. Obviously, one of my best thoughts was to win the tournament but I knew that it was something very difficult.

When I was able to cash and I was chip leader I started to think that I could win the bracelet and I could not miss this opportunity.

Next stop: EPT title.

PL: Could your next goal be to become the first Spanish player with an EPT title?

AM: Yes, this is my goal number one although I know it doesn’t depend only on me but I will be more than happy to carry out a “deep run” in an EPT.

I am planning to play all the stops of the EPT in this new season and I am sure that I will have my chance in one of them.

PL: Although you couldn't play the WSOP this year we imagine that you will go to Vegas next year. Are you anxious to play?

AM: Yes, I will celebrate my 21st birthday (July 1) there to play. I really look forward to playing the Main Event because it is annoyance not to be able to play.

I have the talent level and enough bankroll to make something good there but laws are the laws.

PL: At the WSOPE 888poker was your sponsor. Do you have a sponsor now, because it would make sense that more than one room would like to support you?

AM: Actually, I don’t have a sponsor right now. The second question is not for me but for rooms that are interested ;)

PL: Are you the kind of player that invests his winnings on outside projects or keeps them for playing poker?

AM: If I find good business opportunities I don’t think too much and I invest my money, but to play the levels I'm playing I need a lot of this money to play without problems.

Like everything in life, the balance needs to be correct.

PL: With your age we don’t think you could get bored of poker in the short term. Do you see yourself playing at a high level for 10, 20, 30 years? Do you have other plans in case poker changes for you?

2015 WSOP Main Event, watch out.

AM: I see myself playing poker in the short term, at least a few years more, but in the future I don't know. Business always calls my attention. I may focus on the business world if I get bored of playing poker.

PL: While most young people in Spain are studying or trying to work, you've already built a successful career. What are your friends and family telling you?

AM: I've played poker for more than a year but they still remain amazed. It is a world where money is a tool and moves very quickly, and this surprises some people very much.

They are very surprised but they are happy. I was lucky and I found the good side of poker and it is much easier to understand it.  

PL: Our PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards try to find players that inspire new people to play. Do you think you are a good example for future generations?

AM: Yes, I can represent the positives values of poker. I have gotten to be where I am with my work and study and much remains to be done.

PL: In your case, who has inspired you to play poker?

AM: I never have another player as a reference; I don’t like to focus exclusively on someone.

I try to copy and learn from the best players. At the beginning I read everything from all the pros that write in Spanish and, little by little, I built my own style.

The 2014 PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards will be handed out during a live ceremony at the €500,000 Guaranteed Battle of Malta Nov. 6-9. Vote for Mateos and your favorite nominees right here before August 26!

One of poker’s most promising players, Norway's Yngve Steen more than earned his nomination for the PokerListings Spirit of Poker Rising Star Award over the past year.

Steen crushed the Norwegian Championships in Dublin and was named "Player of the Championship" for winning one event and final-tabling two others.

He was so strong, even, that Elisabeth Hille said she hoped to never sit at the same poker table with him again after being destroyed in the final of the heads-up championship.

Not impressive enough? Try a near miss for his first WSOP bracelet last summer (he finished 4th in a $1,500 event) and claiming the overall leaderboard title in the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP).

While his accomplishments may have been overlooked by the general poker-playing public, PokerListings Editors noticed his talents repeatedly and he was among the first on our 2014 Rising Star nominee list.

PokerListings Norway's Thomas Hviid reached Steen by email during the WSOP Main Event - where he unsurprisingly also ended up in the money - to find out more about his fantastic year.

PokerListings: You've been nominated for a 2014 PokerListings Spirit of Poker Award. How does it feel?

"I have always just been very fascinated by the game."

Yngve Steen: It is very nice that somebody has noticed my results so it feels very nice!

PL: How do you feel about your experience playing poker over the past year?

YS: 2013 was a very good year for me, live as well as online. 2014 also started really well with a deep run in the PCA Main Event, a title and two final tables at the Norwegian Championships and a couple of final tables at side events at the EPT.

PL: Can you tell us how you started with poker?

YS: I was invited for a 100 NOK poker game by some friends and although I was really bad at it I instantly became fascinated by the game.

Then I started reading poker books and watch poker on TV and then I began to play a lot online.

PL: Is there anything/anyone that's had a lot of influence on your development as a poker player?

YS: No, nobody in particular. I have always just been very fascinated by the game, which has led to reading and watching a lot about poker and thinking about new strategies.

PL: You've had great results both online and live. Which of the two is closest to your heart?

Thor Hansen the definition of Living Legend.

YS: It is very hard to answer, they have each their pros and cons. Online poker is nice because you can play when you want and you don’t have to leave friends and family, but the level is often tougher than playing live.

In live poker you travel around to many places in the world, meet new people and experience some interesting things which you would not have done by just playing online.

But it is very expensive to travel around to the big tournaments so you are under a lot of pressure to deliver results over the short term, which is not so much fun.

PL: Who would you vote for in the other categories of the PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards?

YS: In the Living Legend category, without blinking I voted for Thor Hansen. A more Living Legend you won’t get!

For Most Inspiring Player I voted for Shannon Shorr. He is a very nice guy who has delivered stable and good results for about 10 years live and online.

PL: Give us a good reason why people should vote for you.

YS: I have delivered stable and good results both online and live and I am motivated to continue doing it :-)

The 2014 PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards will be handed out during a live ceremony at the €500,000 Guaranteed Battle of Malta Nov. 6-9. Vote for Steen and your favorite nominees right here before August 26!

If there's one player who fits the title of "Most Inspiring Player" in all of its facets, it's French Winamax pro Manuel Bevand.

Endlessly sociable at the tables, renowned for his integrity and fair play and always looking to improve his game, the only thing missing from Bevand's resume is the big win he needs to get the real international recognition he deserves. 

Not that he minds, of course. ManuB just continues along his merry way, sharing his love of poker and maintaining the values that are dear to him.

An early favorite in the voting for our 2014 Most Inspiring Player Award, PokerListings France's Fred Guillemot caught up with Bevand by email for his thoughts on inspiration, dedication and how poker can change the way you think in life.

PokerListings: Manu, you’ve been nominated in the Most Inspiring Player category at the 2014 PokerListings Awards. Is being a role model, through your game and behavior, one of your goals both as an individual player and a member of Team Winamax?

Manuel Bevand: I don’t think “being a role model” can really be a goal per se. It’s not something you decide, you just become one when you’re honest and genuine.

Grateful to the poker community for the chance to live his dream.

PL: What do you think makes you such a well-liked player and one of the most popular French players?

MB: I think that’s a question maybe for the people who like me, but I think it’s mostly because I’m still very approachable and I always try to be available for poker fans.

I just feel that I owe it to the poker community as a whole, and more particularly to the Club Poker community, because they’ve always supported me and thanks to them I was able to fulfill my dream and play live tournaments.

I am so grateful for that and I’ll never forget it.

PL: During the episode of the Winamax series “Dans la tête d’un pro” (Inside a pro’s mind) in which you were featured, we could see that discussion and self-analysis were very important to you. However, don’t you sometimes find it exhausting to always strive for perfection?

MB: Striving for perfection is hard, and endless, because perfection doesn’t exist. But as we always say, it’s the journey that matters, not the destination.

PL: In poker, one never stops learning. Do you think that this is one of the best parts of the game and is that the reason so many people are passionate about it?

MB: I think that the worst mistake you can make in poker - and in life in general - is thinking that you understand it all.

You have to find the right balance and be confident without becoming over-confident. It’s a big difference from some sportsmen who don’t hesitate to claim that they’re the best in the world (and regularly prove it).

The worst mistake you can make in poker is thinking you understand it all.

Also, there’s a significant difference between saying “I’m the best” and “My game is perfect." In poker, saying you’re the best just means you play slightly less badly than everyone else.

PL: Like a lot of other talented poker players, you’re a former - very successful - Magic: the Gathering player. Do you play Hearthstone or other card games? Do you think that these games are more or less fulfilling than poker in the long term?

MB: Magic is an exceptionally complex and tactically rich game. It also requires a lot of creativity.

I enjoy playing Magic much more than poker, but it’s almost impossible to make a living playing Magic.

I do not play Hearthstone. I gave it a try but it felt like a simplified version of Magic. I have to say I have neither the time nor the energy to dig deeper and see if I’m wrong.

PL: You started playing poker in 2005. What’s the most precious thing poker has brought you, on a personal level?

MB: Poker has changed the way I think in life. I’m less naive than I used to be and I’ve become more logical and pragmatic when I have to make a decision.

In some ways, it has revealed my true personality, both in its noble and weaker aspects. I also understand people better than before. And of course I’ve met a lot of incredible people! 

PL: I know that personal and spiritual development are very important to you. What are the books that have changed your outlook on life?

MB: What Makes You Not a Buddhist, by Dzongsar Jamyang. This is a great introduction to Buddhism for Westerners.

The Fabric of Reality, by David Deutsch. This is a very difficult but fascinating book about the nature of the universe and the epistemic reflection.

Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand. This character represents the moral ideal I’m striving for.

"Poker has changed the way I think in life."

PL: What do you think poker’s biggest stars still lack to really fulfill their role in the poker community?

MB: I think that poker players - especially those who benefited from the poker boom in the 2000s - owe it to their fans to spend some time with them.

Other than that, I’m a big admirer of the charity work that players like Igor Kurganov and Philipp Gruissem accomplish.

PL: Recently, Daniel Colman caused quite a stir when he refused to give the winner’s interview after his win in the Big One for One Drop. He was also very critical of poker in general. What do you make of that?

MB: I do understand his point of view, but the way he expressed it was wrong. He had the perfect opportunity to express his opinion.

PL: Do you personally feel that it is sometimes difficult to reconcile your personal beliefs and the promotion of poker?

MB: Yes, especially when you’re face to face with people who are losing but won’t do what it takes to win. Personally, I think we should tell the truth about poker and not promote it blindly.

Inspiration for Bevand comes from players like Davidi Kitai and Phil Gruissem.

PL: Who are the players that inspire you the most?

MB: Davidi Kitai is my role model as a competitor. He is a great person and a champion.

I also really like Daniel Negreanu, who’s a perfect ambassador for poker and one of the only “old school” players who’s always questioning himself.

As far as French players are concerned, I admire people like Nicolas Levi and Pedro Canali who manage to remain humane while playing poker.

PL: Who would you vote for in each of the categories of the 2014 PokerListings Awards?

MB: Philipp Gruissem (for his charity work), Adrian Mateos (I played with him for an hour and I was VERY impressed) and Roger Hairabedian (one hell of a character!).

PL: It’s hard to give short advice, but if you had one thing to say to the players who are reading this, what would it be?

MB: I think I’ll let Bobby McFerrin do the talking:

"In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy... "

Voting is open in the 2014 PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards until August 26. Vote for Manuel and see our full list of nominees right here!

The 2014 Spirit of Poker Awards will be handed out during a live ceremony at the 2014 Battle of Malta Nov 6-9. Join us there!

Just two weeks remain in the public voting for the PokerListings 2014 Spirit of Poker awards and favorites have begun to emerge.

All told 24 players are still in the running for one of our three awards to be handed out during the Battle of Malta in November.

This is the 2nd year of the PokerListings Spirit of Poker awards which highlight players in the poker community who inspire in more ways than just big results.

By the volume of voting so far we can tell the idea is hitting home with poker fans.

For the full list of nominees for this year's awards and the reasoning behind each player's nomination, head to the Spirit of Poker Awards page and be sure to cast your vote before August 31.

Leaders Emerge Down Homestretch

With voting open over the summer several thousand readers have already taken part in the election process.

When voting closes on August 31 the top three finalists in each award category will make the shortlist to be considered by our PokerListings voting panel, from which three winners will emerge. Here's how the voting stands:

Tackling Kilimanjaro just the latest inspiring feat for Shannon Shorr.

1) Shorr, Lew Neck-and-Neck

In our signature award category, Most Inspiring Player, three very prominent names have risen to the top of the counts.

Our nominees in this category are a true collection of some of the most inspiring people in today’s global poker community so it's only fitting the results at this point are the closest.

Alabama's Shannon Shorr leads the MIP voting right with PokerStars Team Online pro Randy "nanonoko" Lew a close second. German high-stakes pro/effective altruist Philipp Gruissem sits third.

Consistency, Multipicity, Generosity

Three inspiring players, indeed, if you think of what they stand for. Shorr is an amazing example of consistency.

Having travelled the global circuit for more than a decade he's one of the few players who keeps winning every year without the help of a full-time sponsor.

Apart from the challenges in poker he's also a guy who likes to challenge himself. Only recently he climbed Africa's Mt. Kilimanjaro and the way he thinks and writes about poker in his blog is an inspiration to every player.

Nanonoko is a living legend in the world of multi-tabling and his exploits have put him into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Lew loves to play and loves to share with his fans. He’s very active on social media which gives millions of players the chance to gain from his experience. At this stage, Lew (33%) trails Shorr (36%) by just 3% of the votes.

In third is Philipp Gruissem. The German high roller stands like no one else for high buy-ins and a strong sense for charity.

With his commitment to Effective Altruism and as a co-founder of Raising for Effective Giving, he has kicked off a movement where poker players take responsibility not only for themselves but also for society as a whole.

Maturing Devilfish man of the people.

Head to the “Most Inspiring Players” page to cast your vote.

Last year’s winner: Naoya Kihara, Japan’s only WSOP bracelet winner and flagbearer of poker in the Far East.

2) Devilfish, Thor and Tilly Pull Ahead

In our Living Legend category we recognize the men and women who were into poker before hoodies were invented, when you preferred to sit with your back against the wall and when wearing sunglasses meant you actually were a bad guy - you weren't just trying to look like one.

Now think of Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott. You kind of have to. The life story of the 60-year-old from Kingston-upon-Hull is so wild it couldn’t have been invented better by a screenwriter. If it is ever used for a movie, the director will probably be Guy Ritchie.

A softer, gentler Devilfish has taken over at the tables lately but the same vicious wit that got him here shows up from time to time too.

In second place at the moment: Thor Hansen. People tend to overuse superlatives but the Viking from Norway is, truly, a living legend.

He battled the live tables in Las Vegas for several decades and when cancer tried to get the better of him he fought back and is still there. An idol if there’s ever been one.

Jennifer Tilly is third in the voting. The actress-turned-poker-pro proved a long time ago that she's not a fluke at the poker table.

With her gregarious personality, steady results and infectious enthusiasm caught by all around her her impact on the game of poker can't be overstated.

Go to the “Living legends page” to cast your vote.

Last year’s winner: Pierre Neuville, the “Serial Qualifier” from Belgium.

3) Panka Leads Scandis

There are players who’ve "made" it, and there are players who will make it. Some are already on the way.

Can Sofia narrow the gap on Panka?

For now voters are favoring Poland's Dominik Panka to be the next big star in poker. Panka appeared on the poker stage over the past year with two big bangs -- winning the PCA main event and the EPT Deauville high roller event in close succession.

Sofia Lövgren from Sweden is nominated a second time in a row for the PokerListings Awards. She has recently moved to a new sponsor, 888poker, and her presence in the poker community is always growing with 4,400 friends on Facebook and almost 4,000 followers on Twitter.

She's currently holding down second place in the Rising Star voting.

On her heels is fellow Scandinavian Yngve Steen from Norway. Last year he won the WCOOP leaderboard and he 's already left his mark in several live tournaments. It's only a question of time until he takes down his first major title.

Go to the “Rising Stars” page to cast your vote.

Last year’s winner: Luca Moschitta from Italy, who has recently moved to Malta to continue his poker career.

Voting Ends August 31!

Get your vote in on each of the Spirit of Poker Award pages to have your voice heard and give credit to the players who you think deserve recognition.

Voting closes at 11.59 PM on August 31st.

The 2014 PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards ceremony will take place during the Battle of Malta 2014, November 6-9.

It's official: Shannon Shorr, Thor Hansen and Dominik Panka have won the 2014 PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards.

After 2.5 months of public voting and a week of deliberation by the PokerListings panel the well-respected trio rose to the top of their respective categories to claim the 2014 SOPAs.

Shorr takes home the headline award - Most Inspiring Player. His exceptional year included two WSOPE final tables, a runner-up finish at the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open and a monumental personal accomplishment in climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Hansen claimed the Living Legend Award and there couldn't be anyone more fitting to earn said title than the Godfather of Norwegian poker.

After battling terminal cancer for the past two years Hansen has found solace and inspiration in the game of poker and still somehow managed to bring his best to the tables, both online and live.

Panka, winner of the 2014 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure main event and already Poland's all-time leading money winner, claimed the Rising Star Award.

The 2014 Spirit of Poker awards will be handed out in a live ceremony at the Battle of Malta in November. All award winners will be contacted shortly with full details about exclusive packages to attend the event.

Most Inspiring Player: Shannon Shorr

Made the most out of poker's opportunities.

As we said in our original nominations the 29-year-old Shorr has literally grown up on the poker circuit.

One of the original "online kids," Shorr broke through on the live scene overseas in 2006 before he even turned 21 with a 4th-place finish at the Aussie Millions.

His first summer in Vegas he chopped the Bellagio Cup main event and it's been a steady string of cashes since.

Despite still somehow missing a WSOP bracelet Shorr has lived a poker life to the fullest. He's criss-crossed the globe, expanded his horizons and when life-altering opportunities have presented themselves, like summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro this summer, he's taken them.

It hasn't all been easy, though, and as he's written about in his blog the ups and downs of poker have inspired him to not take anything for granted and to make the absolute most of life on the road.

At the felt Shorr has embodied consistency so much over the years he even outranked Phil Ivey on the GPI's Top 9 Players of the Decade list, coming in at #7.

In the final panel deliberation Shorr edged out PokerStars Team online pro Randy "nanonoko" Lew and late contender Mayu Roca in the final voting. Check the full list of nominees here.

Living Legend: Thor Hansen

Every one of the eight nominees in our Living Legend category embody a long and inspiring life in poker but it's no surprise Hansen was the name at the top of the ballots in the end.

In January 2012 Hansen was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Doctors told him the absolute maximum life expectancy in a case like his was two years. He's been in and out of debilitating chemotherapy since.

Impossible not to revere Thor.

Still, going on close to three years later, Hansen is still finding his way to the tables and giving his opponents all they can handle. He's even snuck in a final table or two.

As he told us less than a month ago at EPT Barcelona, "I know I am very, very sick. But I’m a strong guy, I can take a lot. I’m not even supposed to be alive anymore, but here I am playing the main event.”

Twice nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame but not inducted, PokerListings is thrilled to annoint Hansen with a Spirit of Poker Award that truly captures the magnitude of his accomplishments - Living Legend.

Also finishing in the top 3 of fan balloting were Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott and the amazing Jennifer Tilly. See the full list of nominees here.

Rising Star: Dominik Panka

If you followed the 2014 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure main event at all you'll also understand why Dominik Panka was the runaway winner of our Rising Star award for 2014.

Despite a stacked nominee list that included the much-adored Sofia Lövgren, Norwegian crusher Yngve Steen and WSOPE main event winner Adrian Mateos, Panka's cool, calm and inspiring play stuck with voters from Day 1.

Calm, cool, #1 at 23

While winning one of the signature events of the poker year for $1.4m was impressive his follow-up win at the EPT Deauville High Roller less than a month later sealed him as a player people couldn't take their attention off.

Just 23 and already Poland's all-time live tournament money leader, Panka obviously has a long and successful career in poker available to him if he chooses.

But, like all of our SOPA nominees, poker's still just one facet of a well-rounded life that sees him collect as much satisfaction off the felt as on.

Panka defeated fellow finalists Lövgren and Steen to earn the title; see the full list of Rising Star nominees here.

Add one more name to the list of big-time pros you can expect to see at the 2014 Battle of Malta: Dan "Jungleman12" Cates.

One of the best heads-up No-Limit Hold’em players in the world Cates has attended both editions of the Battle of Malta so far and says he plans to be there again.

This time, Cates added, his eyes will also be on a new addition to the Battle of Malta schedule: the €4,180 Grandmaster High Roller event.

An exciting new twist to the BOM schedule inspired by demand from players last year the High Roller suits the budget of some of the big-name pros set to attend BOM in 2014.

Already confirmed stars include PokerStars pros Leo Margets and Luca Pagano, Spirit of Poker Award winner Dominik Panka, Paul Jackson and more.

Still No Closure on durrrr Challenge

Hard man to pin down.

As one of the truly elite poker players in the world just the presence of Cates at the tables makes the atmosphere at BOM special for the casual poker fan.

Cates is one of only three people to win over $10m online on Full Tilt Poker, putting him in elite company alongside Phil Ivey and Patrik Antonius.

Among his many televised appearances are the made-for-TV NBC Heads-Up Championship, the PartyPoker Premier League and the €100k Super High Roller at the EPT Grand Final in April where he was the runner-up and earned $1.7m.

Beyond the first two editions of the Battle of Malta one other infamous poker event you might recognize Cates from is the still-to-be completed durrrr Challenge.

Agreed to and begun way back in 2010 Cates raced out to a huge lead and looked to be a lock for a $1.5m+ payday before Black Friday and durrrr's reticence to continue got in the way.

The Challenge briefly resumed last year but has been on hiatus since - although an agreement has been in place for Cates to be paid $40,000 per month if durrrr doesn’t meet a required number of hands. 

Five Events Make for Full Poker Festival

The Grandmaster High Roller is one of three new events added to the Battle of Malta festival in 2014.

A €165 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament and a €300 Deepstack No-Limit Turbo are the others. Rounding out the full BOM 2014 schedule is the €550 buy-in Main Event and the returning Siege of Malta Second Chance event, this time with an increased €200 buy-in.

Expanded lineup brings an even bigger festival feel.

Add in the VIP parties and casual, party-like atmosphere the Battle of Malta is easily one of the most fun, highest-value events in Europe for low- to mid-stakes poker players.

Given the size of the fields, with over 1,000 players expected for the €500,000 guaranteed Main Event, there’s also plenty of incentive for big-time pros like Cates to come out.

A fantastic group of professionals has already committed to attending BOM including PokerStars pros Margets and Pagano, 2014 PCA Main Event champ Panka, Andreas Hoivold, Jesper Hougaard, Sofia Lövgren and, of course, host Maria Ho.

More details on all the Battle of Malta festivities including the schedule, calendar and tournament structures can be found here. Watch a couple video clips of Cates at the Battle of Malta below.