The PokerListings Battle of Malta is approaching fast and three more poker pros have joined Kara Scott to play the event.
Gaelle Baumann, Johannes Strassman and Andrea Dato will all be playing PokerListings.com’s first live poker tournament November 22-25.
The Battle of Malta is a €500 + €50 No-Limit Hold’em tournament with a €150,000 guaranteed prize pool and it will play out at the Portomaso Casino in Malta.
And a number of major online poker rooms are offering Battle of Malta satellite qualifiers to get players to the Mediterranean for a fraction of the price.
“I really can't wait for the Battle of Malta to start!” said BOM host Kara Scott.
“Malta is one of my favorite places in Europe and getting a chance to be there and be so involved in this event is exciting.”
Scott, a Team Party Poker pro who’s made deep runs in the World Series of Poker and the Irish Open, will be looking for another final table in Malta this November.
But Scott is no longer the only well-known poker player taking a shot at the inaugural Battle of Malta title.
Gaelle Baumann Riding WSOP Momentum to Malta
France’s Gaelle Baumann finished 11th in the WSOP Main Event this year, winning $590,000, the second-biggest World Series score by a women ever.
Baumann will be bringing that momentum with her to the table in November, and she won’t have far to go since she lives in Malta.
”I really look forward to playing the Battle of Malta, especially since I will be playing at home,” Baumann told PokerListings.com.
“I enjoy playing cash games in Portomaso casino, but I’ve never had the chance to make a deep run in a tournament there,” she said. “I guess it's the right time!”
Baumann has cashed three times at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and once on the EPT.
“The Battle of Malta is going to be both really fun and exciting with a nice deep structure and players from all over Europe,” she said.
“And Malta is a pleasant place to go, even in November. What else can I ask for?”
Fellow Battle of Malta host Kara Scott is looking forward to playing against another successful female player.
“I'm really glad to see Gaelle Baumann again and I think it should be a lot of fun for people to be able to play against her” said Scott.
“She must have some incredible stories from such a deep run in this year's WSOP Main Event.“
Johannes Strassmann Repping Germany at Battle of Malta
Poker pro Johannes Strassmann has cashed nine times on the European Poker Tour and five times at the WSOP.
In total he has more than $1.1 million in live earnings, good for a spot in the top 25 all-time German earners.
"I expect a fun time and a relaxing holiday combined with a nice tournament,” Strassmann told PokerListings.com.
Strassmann has been seen playing No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha as high as $200/$400 on PokerStars.com.
His biggest live score to date was when he finished third at EPT Snowfest for $225,082. He’s had four other six-figure scores.
Andrea Dato Flying Italian Flag in Malta
With over $627k in live tournament earnings, much of it won on regional tours around Italy, Andrea Dato is in the top 30 on the Italian all-time money list.
Dato has a long list of high five-figure scores highlighted by a third-place finish at the World Series of Poker in 2011 worth $138,044.
This November Dato will be bringing that experience to bear at the Battle of Malta.
"I can't wait to participate in the tournament,” Dato told PokerListings.com.
“I love the Portomaso Casino and playing poker in such a beautiful environment and I would be more than happy to leave Malta and go back home adding such a significant victory to my records,” he continued.
And while all four hosts will have the chance to win big money at the Battle of Malta, it’s not the only reason they’re happy about being on the Mediterranean in November.
“The weather in Malta is incredible,” said Kara Scott.
“I recently read that they tied for first place for best climate in the world! Spending some of cold November in the warm Mediterranean will be a real treat for all of the people who come out to play Battle of Malta.”
Keep an eye on our How to Qualify for the Battle of Malta page for all the latest online qualifiers.
Visit www.pokerlistings.com