PokerListings Battle of Malta Starts Now

Playing out over the next four days at the Portomaso Casino in St. Juliens, Malta, this event is shaping up to be the most exciting €500 buy-in poker tournament in history.

After all, it’s not every day a player like Dan “Jungleman” Cates takes the time to fly somewhere for a tournament where the buy-in’s equal to the big blind in the games he’s used to playing.

Cates will be joined by a growing list of big-name players including BoM host Kara Scott, 2012 WSOP Main Event 11th-place finisher Gaelle Baumann, German star Johannes Strassmann and Italian pro Andrea Dato.

Also playing is Belgian old-schooler Pierre Neuville, known as the “Serial Qualifier” on the European Poker Tour.

It's safe to say this buy-in is lower than what Jungleman is used to.

 

These seasoned pros will be facing off against online qualifiers, local Maltese rounders and players from all over Southern Europe who have flown in for a piece of the action.

With two Day 1 flights, a re-entry option and a €150,000 guarantee, only time will tell what the final numbers will look like.

More than Just Poker at Battle of Malta

While the poker tournament will be taking center stage this week it’s by no means the only thing happening at the Battle of Malta.

In addition to everything the Mediterranean island has to offer, from beautiful weather to an amazing offering of cultural experiences, PokerListings.com has cooked up a few extras for BoM players.

Following the action on Day 1B players are invited to a VIP party at Level 22, perched atop the Hilton tower. Everyone will have a chance to unwind on PL.com’s dime and, for the survivors, time to prepare for the playdown to the final table on Day 2.

And on Sunday before the final table begins both Kara Scott and Daniel Cates will be donning wetsuits to swim with dolphins at the Malta Marine Park.

Usually seen as people swimming with dolphins, this time it’s going to be more like dolphins swimming with sharks.

You can keep an eye on everything that’s happening at the Battle of Malta right here. We’ll be posting updates, interviews and daily videos leading up to the event’s conclusion Sunday night.