Battle of Malta
The Battle of Malta is an annual poker festival held on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Established in 2012, it has grown to become one of Europe’s most popular poker events, especially for low to mid-stakes players. The tournament features a No-Limit Texas Hold’em Main Event with an affordable buy-in, attracting thousands of players from around the world. Known for its friendly atmosphere and significant prize pools, the Battle of Malta offers a unique blend of competitive poker and vacation experience.
2024 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition
The 2024 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition is set to take place from October 29th to November 6th at Casino Malta and the Intercontinental Hotel. The festival promises an impressive €2 million in guaranteed prize pools, including a notable €1.5 million guarantee for the highly anticipated Main Event.
The Main Event will feature nine starting flights with a €600 buy-in for the early flights, giving players a larger starting stack of 40,000 chips compared to the Spring Edition. Additionally, a new format has been introduced for the nightly flights, offering a reduced €300 buy-in and a 20,000 starting stack. Players advancing from these flights will battle it out from November 3 to November 6 to crown the next Battle of Malta champion.
Beyond the Main Event, several other tournaments will take place during the series, including:
- €1,100 QuiGioco High Roller (November 3rd – November 4th) with a €300K guarantee
- €450 Mystery Siege of Malta Bounty (October 29th to November 1st) with a €100K guarantee
- €2,200 Luxon Pay Super High Roller (November 5th to November 6th)
History of the Series
The Battle of Malta was first organized by PokerListings.com in 2012. The inaugural event took place at the Portomaso Casino in St. Julian’s, Malta. With a buy-in of €550, the Main Event attracted 349 entries, creating a prize pool of €169,265. Italian player Nicodemo Piccolo became the first champion, taking home €35,000.
In 2018, the tournament became part of Casino Malta by Olympic Casino. The event moved to the larger and more modern Eden Arena at the InterContinental Conference Centre. This transition allowed for a significant increase in capacity, accommodating the growing number of participants and offering enhanced facilities.
Since its inception, the Battle of Malta has seen remarkable growth. From 349 entries in 2012, the number of participants soared to over 4,329 by 2022. The tournament has consistently broken its own records, both in terms of entries and prize pools. The Main Event prize pool exceeded €2 million in 2022, highlighting the event’s increasing popularity.
| Year | Entries | Prize Pool (€) | Winner | First Prize (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 349 | 169,265 | Nicodemo Piccolo | 35,000 |
| 2013 | 888 | 430,680 | Louis Cartarius | 68,000 |
| 2014 | 1,447 | 701,795 | Antoan Katsarov | 122,750 |
| 2015 | 1,804 | 875,000 | Nicolas Proust | 110,000 |
| 2016 | 1,813 | 879,305 | Robert Berglund | 160,000 |
| 2017 | 2,074 | 1,005,890 | Nadav Lipszyc | 200,000 |
| 2018 | 3,816 | 1,850,760 | Julien Stropoli | 168,500 |
| 2019 | 4,657 | 2,258,645 | Serghei Lisii | 247,167 |
| 2022 | 2,592 | 1,244,160 | Giuseppe Rosa | 200,340 |
| 2022 | 4,342 | 2,171,000 | Dimitrios Anastasakis | 285,900 |
| 2023 | 1,992 | 1,002,972 | Dario Barone | 156,500 |
| 2023 | 3,432 | 1,728,010 | Gabriele Re | 209,500 |
| 2024 | 1,814 | 913,349 | Vasileios Zisis | 100,000 |
Notable Milestones
- European Poker Award: In 2014, the Battle of Malta won the European Poker Award for “Best Poker Tournament Under €2,000 Buy-in,” recognizing its excellence and growing influence in the poker community.
- Record-Breaking Attendance: The festival consistently set new records for attendance, with the Main Event entries surpassing 4,657 in 2019, making it one of the largest poker tournaments in Europe.
- Transition to Online: In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Battle of Malta was held online at GGPoker. The online events attracted massive participation, with entries reaching 8,789 in 2020 and 6,591 in 2021.
Tournaments
The Battle of Malta festival includes a variety of poker events catering to different preferences:
- Main Event: The flagship No-Limit Texas Hold’em tournament with a €600 buy-in, offering a substantial prize pool and attracting the largest number of participants.
- High Roller Events: For players seeking higher stakes, the festival features High Roller tournaments with larger buy-ins and prize pools.
- Side Events: A range of side events, including Pot-Limit Omaha, Turbo tournaments, and Bounty events, provide additional opportunities for players.
- Special Events: The festival has hosted special tournaments such as the Ladies Event, charity events like the Pink October Malta tournament, and the PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards, celebrating notable players in the poker community.
Series Venue
The Battle of Malta is held at the Eden Arena within the InterContinental Conference Centre, adjacent to Casino Malta in St. Julian’s. This modern and spacious venue accommodates the growing number of participants and provides a comfortable environment for the events. Located in the heart of Malta’s entertainment district, players have access to hotels, restaurants, and nightlife, enhancing the overall experience.
Address: St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s STJ 3310, Malta
Additional Information
- Hosts and Personalities: The tournament has been hosted by prominent figures in the poker world, including Kara Scott, Maria Ho, Gaëlle Garcia Diaz, and Laura Cornelius. Their involvement has added prestige and a personal touch to the event.
- Player Community: The Battle of Malta is known for its welcoming atmosphere, making it popular among amateur players. It provides an opportunity for recreational players to compete alongside professionals in a friendly setting.
- Check actual schedule of BoM events on the official site before events.