Big Pros, Big Buzz: Record-Setting BOM On Doorstep, Seats Open

The 2014 Battle of Malta is on track to smash even more records this year and plenty of seats are still available for you to be a part of it.

A limited amount of full packages including buy-in, accommodation and VIP party tickets are available but lots of space is left for the showcase Main Event.

With pre-sales brisk and a walk-up rate comparable to last year expected, well over 1,000 players will hit the Portomaso Casino and the atmosphere is already building.

Lodden, Hansen, Margets, Cates, Panka and More

Leo Margets on the growing Pro list.

An impressive list of top caliber poker pros are coming to take a shot at the 2014 Battle of Malta - some back a repeat visit and some for their first time.

Among the repeat visitors will be high-stakes online legend Dan "Jungleman12" Cates, Norwegian ace Andreas Hoivold, Swedish star Sofia Lövgren and Italy's Luca Moschitta.

First-timers at BOM include PokerStars pros Johnny Lodden, Luca Pagano and Leo Margets and Spirit of Poker Award winners Thor Hansen and Dominik Panka.

Also confirmed to play are top pros Dermot Blain and Dominik Nitsche, UK footballer Steve Watts, fellow Brit Paul Jackson and Russian stars Anatoly Filatov and Konstantin Puchkov.

Host Maria Ho of course heads the celebrity list and will be both at the felt and on-camera with our live reporting crew.

High Roller, PLO, Deepstack Adds Bigger Return

Part of the reason even bigger crowds are expected over the four-day festival is the expanded tourney lineup.

Three new side events are on the schedule including a €4,180 Grandmaster High Roller event, a €165 PLO event and a €330 Deepstack No-Limit Hold'em Turbo.

The €220 Siege of Malta Second Chance tournament is also back and expected to be twice the size of last year.

With pre-sale buy-ins for the Main Event already creeping up to the €500,000 guarantee - without any re-entries counted for - players should be able to expect record payouts in all events.

For the complete Side Event and registration schedule, check the BOM Calendar page. Players are advised to register as early as possible to avoid lines. You'll also have to register at the casino first. Quick glimpse at registration schedule:

~ Wednesday, November 5, 2014 ~

18:00 – 21:00 hrs: Registration for NLH Battle of Malta Main Event opens

~ Thursday, November 6, 2014 ~

11:00 - Registration for NLH Battle of Malta Main Event opens.

~ Friday, November 7 ~

11:00 - Registration for NLH Battle of Malta Main Event opens.

Overflow Room Added, RuckPack Official Drink

Among the preparations for the expected sellout has been a logistics improvement to minimize lines and speed up tournament registration and flow.

You should see him after some RuckPack.

Beyond the new, larger venue for the Main Event an Overflow Room has also been added to accommodate demand.

"We made a promise last year to polish up a lot of logistical aspects of the operation," Tournament Coordinator Ivonne Montealegre says, "and we have been working hard to fulfill that promise.

"The capacity of all tournaments has been increased and we expect to satisfy all demand."

An expanded lineup of sponsors also awaits players including a new official drink of the Battle of Malta - RuckPack Energy Drink.

Developed by a team of Special Ops Marines RuckPack is a single-source vitamin & energy shot designed to provide caffeine-free maximum performance.

A free 2-pack will be delivered to each package-winner’s room and RuckPackers will be around the tournament area offering free samples. For the Official BOM Limelight party they'll make sure all guests can keep the party going!

Check our Battle of Malta page for a complete rundown of all the events.