Five Years of Poker, Parties, Memories at Battle of Malta (VIDEO)

Every year there are thousands of poker tournaments all over the world but there's nothing quite like the Battle of Malta.

But how did Europe's hottest low-buy-in event begin and how did it grow into the huge week-long poker/party extravaganza we now know?

This coming November will see the sixth-annual BoM and it's expected to be the biggest and best yet.

Predictions put the prize pool for the Main Event at roughly €1 million and it has a brand-new host: Gaëlle Garcia Diaz.

But BoM wasn't always this big. When it started in 2012 it had a guaranteed total prize pool of just €150,000.

In fact, hosting the first Battle of Malta was a bit of a risk. No one knew exactly how many people would show up.

Watch the short documentary below for more information on how Battle of Malta became what it is today and click here to buy a BoM package to reserve your seat now.

Making Poker More Accessible

The concept for BoM was brought to PokerListings.com by Costa Rican poker event coordinator Ivonne Montealegre. She saw big potential in Malta as a poker destination and recognized the strong local poker community.

“The first Battle of Malta was good but the growth of this event has been insane,” said Montealegre.

“We love that everyone's appreciating that it's a low buy-in poker holiday that gives the experience of a major event, but low stress, so I think those elements make it a really fun tournament for everyone.”

First-ever BoM Host Kara Scott also loved the idea of making poker more accessible for recreational players from Europe and all over the world.

"The atmosphere at BoM is great," said Scott.

"There are a lot of people there who play not for a living but because they love playing poker and to me important because I play because I love poker."

Poker is the main thing, but it's not the only thing.

BoM is Way More than Poker

There's a lot of poker at the Battle of Malta.

The €550 Main Event has three starting days and everyone gets the option to re-enter once if they bust.

There's also side events like the €245 Siege of Malta which has a €100,000 guarantee, the PLO Knights Crusade, a €330 No-Limit Deepstack Turbo, the €1,320 Grandmaster High Roller and for the first time this year, a €165 Ladies Event.

And that's not to mention the cash game action at the Portomaso Casino poker room.

But your trip to the Battle of Malta doesn't end at the poker table.

The schedule also includes five BoM parties which range from relaxed drinks by the Hilton pool to DJ-fueled dance parties at one of Malta's best clubs.

Malta also offers the chance to see some of the oldest man-made structures on the planet and amazing architecture and historically significant attractions.

Reserve your seat for the 2017 Battle of Malta now and join us in Malta this November for a poker experience you'll never forget.