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2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition Live Blog

2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition Live Blog

Mirko Mostaccio Wins MPF Grand Event (€136,970) 01.11.2022 03:59 by Jason Glatzer
Mirko Mostaccio
Mirko Mostaccio

Mirko Mostaccio defeated Thomas Harnes heads-up in the Malta Poker Festival (MPF) Autumn Edition €550 Grand Event Powered by partypoker for €136,970 after agreeing to a heads-up deal at the luxurious Portomaso Casino. Mostaccio also won a Las Vegas package sponsored by the World Poker Tour (WPT) valued at $2,500 and also won another €550 after winning the PokerDeals last longer competition.

The MPF Grand Event was a massive success with 1,326 entries generating a whopping €636,480 prize pool to smash the event’s €500,000 guarantee. A total of 143 players cashed for at least a €1,100 min-cash, representing exactly double the €550 buy-in.

Players came from far and near to play the Malta Poker Festival including from the United States and Canada making it one of the truly international recreationally minded poker events in Europe.

2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition Final Table Payouts

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Mirko MostaccioItaly€136,670*
2Thomas HarnesGermany€97,330*
3Luigi D’AlterioItaly€57,000
4Andrew CutajarMalta€35,000
5Glen GainesUnited Kingdom€25,000
6Tobias MatuschekGermany€18,000
7Alessandro La CavaItaly€13,000
8Steven SmithUnited Kingdom€9,000
9Karl MetzGermany€5,990

*Reflects heads-up deal at the final table.

Final Day Action

The final day began with 39 hopefuls in the hunt for Malta Poker Festival glory with Humberto Galindo in the captain’s seat. Galindo was unable to parlay his starting day pole position into a final table appearance as he eventually bowed out in 13th place for €3,500.

Meanwhile, Stefan Alvetjarn began the final day as one of the short stacks. But he doubled up twice early in the day to make it deep. However, he was eliminated in 10th place for €4,330 just short of the final table.

Stefan Alvetjarn
Stefan Alvetjarn

Runner-up Harnes began the final table with the chip lead with the eventual winner not too far behind in third place. The lead exchanged hands between a handful of players throughout what proved to be an entertaining final table.

On the other end of the scale, partypoker qualifier Karl Metz entered the final table with the shortest stack and hit the rail during the very first hand of the final table when his deuces failed to win a flip against the ace-six suited held by Alessandro La Cava.

Not too much later, Tobias Matuschuk delivered Steven Smith a cooler when his kings held against queens to send his opponent to the rail with Harnes sending La Cava packing shortly after to leave just six players remaining.

Although Matuschuk had the chip lead at this point, he lost some chips before getting involved in a monster pot with ace-queen. Instead, Harnes snagged the lead back while also eliminating Matuschuk when his sevens won the flip.

Glen Gaines, who a few months ago won the Tallinn Summer Showdown €1,100 Main Event that PokerListings also reported, lost his short stack to Luigi D’Alterio before local hero Andrew Cutajar hit the rail despite holding the nuts when the chips got in on the turn in a hand against Mostaccio.

D’Alterio was low on chips and was the next player to go when his ace-trey didn’t hold against Mostaccio’s ace-try. Mostaccio then had nearly double the stack of Harnes. Before a hand was played, the players took a break to agree on an ICM deal which left €23,400, the WPT package, and the €550 PokerDeals last longer prize on the line for the eventual winner.

The heads-up action didn’t last long. Mostaccio won a few small pots and had Harnes on the ropes when he got it in good with ace-queen against king-jack to eliminate Harnes. Despite missing out on all the glory, Harnes did collect a trophy for finishing in the top three along with a handsome €97,330 prize thanks to making the deal.

Thomas Harnes
Thomas Harnes

We would like to thank MPF founder, the Portomaso Casino, and the amazing staff at MPF’s technical partner Ludos Academy for their amazing work and hospitality. Of course, we appreciate the huge turnout by the players as well!

This concludes our coverage of the Malta Poker Festival. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Mirko Mostaccio & Ivonne Montealegre
Mirko Mostaccio & Ivonne Montealegre
Full MPF Grand Event Payouts 01.11.2022 03:28 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
1Mirko Mostaccio€136,670*
2Thomas Harnes€97,330*
3Luigi D’Alterio€57,000
4Andrew Cutajar€35,000
5Glen Gaines€25,000
6Tobias Matuschek€18,000
7Alessandro La Cava€13,000
8Steven Smith€9,000
9Karl Metz€5,990
10Stefan Alvetjarn€4,330
11Simone Raffaele Maglianella€4,330
12Jerome Moreau€4,300
13Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo€3,500
14Mike Georges Alonso€3,500
15Arturas Bliudzius€3,500
16Emanuele Onnis€3,000
17Jean Ruche€3,000
18Davide Iannaco€3,000
19Alessandro Forleo€3,000
20Raimondo Marcello€3,000
21Leon James Campbell€3,000
22Johan Nils Torp€3,000
23Raf De Wever€3,000
24Rimko Meijer€2,700
25Dario Marinelli€2,700
26Alessandro Santini€2,700
27Sylvere Felix Paillot€2,700
28Johannes Antonius Grootelaar€2,700
29Hendrik Remmerde€2,700
30Antoine Jeremy Talvard€2,700
31Uwe Matthias€2,700
32Kolade Charles Akadiri€2,400
33James Michael Clarke€2,400
34Craig Lee Rose€2,400
35Sean Hopkin€2,400
36Caroline Schallock€2,400
37Yossef Cohen€2,400
38Tom Deschuytter€2,400
39Cornelis Peter Vreugdenhill€2,400
40Ted Johansson€2,100
41Giuseppe Grupposo€2,100
42Daniel Knote€2,100
43Minh-Ho Dennis Tran€2,100
44Tomasz Kolewczynski€2,100
45Roland Chadi Alakji€2,100
46Damien Sylvain Gayer€2,100
47Bo Bjork€2,100
48Ioannis Aslanidis€1,800
49Bjarke Matthiesen€1,800
50Alberto Cigliano€1,800
51Fredrik Kristiansen€1,800
52Tomas Molcan€1,800
53Johannes Erfurth€1,800
54Sascha Manns€1,800
55James Browne€1,800
56Kevin Houghton€1,800
57Koen Meutstege€1,800
58Jesse Henrik Liljegren€1,800
59Harald Engleder€1,800
60Luca Iannizzotto€1,800
61Gary Whitehead€1,800
62Daniel Taylor€1,800
63Krzyztof Piotr Otlik€1,800
64Quentin Roussey€1,600
65Anastasios Apostolou€1,600
66Roberto Zuffo€1,600
67Biagio Torrisi€1,600
68Domenico Tortomasi€1,600
69Elsje Paula J Vansteenkiste€1,600
70William Peter Mitchell€1,600
71Leanddro Cataldo€1,600
72Drago Calogero€1,600
73Bart Joanna J Maes€1,600
74Alain Pujol€1,600
75Paul Richard Maguire€1,600
76Salvatore Di Dio€1,600
77Domenico Desimone€1,600
78Angelo Censabella€1,600
79Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus€1,600
80Edgaras Petkevicius€1,400
81Orazio Pellegrino€1,400
82Bengt Fredric Hallner€1,400
83Kristof Everaerts€1,400
84Gianmarco Pagliaro€1,400
85Peter De Bruin€1,400
86Pierre Jean Roger Jeffredo€1,400
87Karl Staffan Lind€1,400
88Bruce Shannon€1,400
89Stavros Tsakas€1,400
90Dario Barone€1,400
91Torgeir Hagmann€1,400
92Per Helge Gaassand€1,400
93Per Christian Westermark€1,400
94Ahmed Ibrahimi€1,400
95Giovanni Gaggia€1,400
96Jens Mmab€1,300
97Jos Pieter Ten Have€1,300
98Boris Velev€1,300
99Karl Ioannis Leondis€1,300
100Daniel Buzato De Aquino€1,300
101Sturla Hiller€1,300
102Raimund Geier€1,300
103William Murray Bailie€1,300
104Daniel Kuhlmann€1,300
105Jonathan James Walker€1,300
106Miguel Alonso Avellana€1,300
107Roland Arthur Boothby€1,300
108Holm Manfred Erdmann€1,300
109David Hodgkins€1,300
110Soner Vanelderen€1,300
111Patrick James Kelliher€1,300
112Joseph Grech€1,200
113Corentin Jean-Yves Alain Viaud€1,200
114Christopher Da Silva€1,200
115Agostino Catanese€1,200
116Jeff Cannon€1,200
117Guillermo Alejandro Giner Ceballos€1,200
118Tommy Roger Lievens€1,200
119Dirk Hedrich€1,200
120Thomas Erik Lind€1,200
121Vincenzo Pellegrino€1,200
122Robert A Perelman€1,200
123Mathis Bouledin€1,200
124Daniel Filipe Pereira Henriques€1,200
125Cosimo De Gennaro€1,200
126Florian Adrien Gouguet€1,200
127Lawrence Stone€1,200
128Giacomo Ferrara€1,100
129Matthew Ross Adams€1,100
130Erik Lars Allan Lindqwist€1,100
131Noel Oliver Studer€1,100
132Skipp Van Den Assem€1,100
133Ronnie Cohen€1,100
134Jorgen Schjetne€1,100
135Tomasz Piotr Brzezinski€1,100
136Hafpor Smari Sigmundsson€1,100
137Aram Mikael Papazian€1,100
138Robrecht Victor Winterink€1,100
139Piotr Rekawiecki€1,100
140Julian Sacco€1,100
141Mikael Andreas Blomvall€1,100
142Erlend Sten Melson€1,100
143Oliver Hutchins€1,100

*Reflects heads-up deal.

Winner Photos 01.11.2022 03:18 by Jason Glatzer
Thomas Harnes Eliminated in 2nd Place (€97,330) 01.11.2022 03:17 by Jason Glatzer

Level 33: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 1/1,326

Mirko Mostaccio just defeated Thomas Harnes heads-up to win the €135,670 top prize after making a heads-up deal with €23,400, while Thomas Harnes collected a tasty runner-up prize of €97,330. Mostaccio also won €550 as part of the PokerDeals last-longer competition and a $2,500 package to Las Vegas sponsored by the World Poker Tour.

Mostaccio whittled Harnes’ stack down to 8.5 million when Harnes limped the button. Mostaccio jacked it up to 1.5 million before he called a jam by Harnes for 8.5 million.

Thomas Harnes: K J
Mirko Mostaccio: A Q

The rails from both players gathered around the table before the 9 2 A flop had Harnes drawing very thin. Harnes was drawing dead after the 7 turn and already said ‘good game’ to his opponent.

The 6 river made things official and congrats to both players for an incredible run. Both players hugged their rail before hugging each other.

Stay tuned for the final payouts shortly with a recap of this amazing festival coming in the morning.

Thomas Harnes
Thomas Harnes
Deal Agreed 01.11.2022 02:53 by Jason Glatzer

Players have agreed to a deal to flatten the payouts whereby Mirko Mostaccio has locked up €113,270 and Thomas Harnes has locked up €97,330. Originally the winner was slated to take home €145,000 and second place would have snagged €89,000.

There is still €23,400 to play for along with a WPT package valued at approximately $2,500 that WPT has sponsored for the winner. Also, since both players participated in the PokerDeals last-longer competition, they are also playing for another €550.

Luigi D’Alterio Eliminated in 3rd Place (€57,000) 01.11.2022 02:38 by Jason Glatzer

Level 33: 300,000/600,000 (600,000)
Entries: 2/1,326

Mirko Mostaccio jammed from the small blind before Luigi D’Alterio called off for his last 7 million in chips.

Luigi D’Alterio: A 3
Mirko Mostaccio: 10 8

It was the end of an incredible run for D’Alterio after Mostaccio pulled ahead of ace-trey on the K Q Q 10 8 board.

The action was paused after the hand for the two players to discuss a deal.

Mirko Mostaccio – 43.7 million
Thomas Harnes – 22.7 million
Luigi D’Alterio – 0

Luigi D'Alterio
Luigi D’Alterio
Ladies Good for Mostaccio 01.11.2022 02:33 by Jason Glatzer

Level 32: 200,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 3/1,326

Thomas Harnes limped from the small blind. Mirko Mostaccio raised to 2 million. Harnes three-bet jammed for his chip-leading stack and Mostaccio snap-called for 19.8 million.

Mirko Mostaccio: Q Q
Thomas Harnes: A 3

Mostaccio earned a double up after his queens held on the 9 3 4 5 5 board to take the chip lead.

Mirko Mostaccio – 41 million
Thomas Harnes – 22 million

Andrew Cutajar Eliminated in 4th Place (€35,000) 01.11.2022 02:02 by Jason Glatzer

Level 32: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/1,326

Mirko Mostaccio opened for 800,000 from the button and was called by Luigi D’Alterio from the small blind and by Andrew Cutajar from the big blind. All three players checked the K 5 Q flop before fireworks erupted on the J turn.

Two players checked before Mostaccio fired out for 1,000,000. D’Alterio called before Cutajar jammed for 7,800,000. Mostaccio called and D’Alterio folded.

Andrew Cutajar: 10 9
Mirko Mostaccio: Q J

Cutajar was ahead but Mostaccio had outs for a full house and a flush. The full house was completed on the Q river and Cutajar was eliminated in fourth place for €35,000.

The floor has announced that after this blind level, the blind levels will be 30 minutes in length the rest of the way.

Mirko Mostaccio – 30 million
Andrew Cutajar – 0

Andrew Cutajar
Andrew Cutajar
Cutajar Doubles Through D’Alterio 01.11.2022 01:56 by Jason Glatzer

Level 32: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 4/1,326

Luigi D’Alterio jammed his big stack from small blind. Andrew Cutajar called off his stack of 4.4 million.

Andrew Cutajar: J 9
Luigi D’Alterio: 10 9

The 2 8 K 7 4 board was good enough for Cutajar to double his stack.

Luigi D’Alterio – 20 million
Andrew Cutajar – 10 million

Glen Gaines Eliminated in 5th Place (€25,000) 01.11.2022 01:24 by Jason Glatzer

Level 32: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 4/1,326

Luigi D’Alterio opened for 800,000 from the cutoff and Glen Gaines, who was short on chips, defended his big blind to see the J 9 A flop.

Gaines checked before D’Alterio continued for 600,000. Gaines jammed for around 3,000,000 and D’Alterio called.

Glen Gaines: 10 8
Luigi D’Alterio: A K

Gaines was behind but did have some outs with an open-ended straight draw. The J turn and A river had an opposite effect than that of what Gaines wished and D’Alterio sent Gaines to the rail in fifth place for €25,000 with a full house.

Luigi D’Alterio – 25.6 million
Glen Gaines – 0

Glen Gaines
Glen Gaines
Tobias Matuschek Eliminated in 6th Place (€18,000) 01.11.2022 01:15 by Jason Glatzer

Level 32: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 5/1,326

Tobias Matuschek open-jammed from the hijack and was called by Thomas Harnes from the big blind.

Tobias Matuschek: 7 7
Thomas Harnes: A Q

Harnes pulled out ahead in the flip after pairing his queen on the 9 9 Q flop. Andrew Cutajar at this point began relaying the hand to the Maltese rail. Neither the 6 turn nor the 2 river was able to save Matuschek and he wished his opponents a good game on his way to the cashier.

Thomas Harnes – 22 million
Tobias Matuschek – 0

Tobias Matuschek
Tobias Matuschek
More Photos from the Final Table 01.11.2022 01:04 by Jason Glatzer
Updated Chip Counts 01.11.2022 01:00 by Jason Glatzer
PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Luigi D’Alterio17,400,00044
Thomas Samuelsen Harnes16,500,00041
Mirko Antonino Mostaccio11,300,00028
Andrew Cutajar10,850,00027
Tobias Matuschek5,550,00014
Glen Gaines4,700,00012
Short Break 01.11.2022 00:50 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on a short break. We will update the full chip counts shortly.

Cutajar Heads to Broadway 01.11.2022 00:50 by Jason Glatzer

Level 31: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 6/1,326

Mirco Mostaccio opened for 600,000 from under the gun before Andrew Cutajar three-bet shoved for 4.9 million from the cutoff. Tobias Matuschek four-bet shoved for more than 10 million and Mostaccio folded.

Andrew Cutajar: A J
Tobias Matuschek: A K

The Maltese rail erupted as the local player Cutajar improved to Broadway on the Q 6 10 6 K board to double through Matuschek.

Andrew Cutajar – 11 million
Tobias Matuschek – 6 million

Andrew Cutajar
Andrew Cutajar
Gaines Not Gaining Chips 01.11.2022 00:26 by Jason Glatzer

Level 31: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 6/1,326

Glen Gaines opened for 600,000 from the cutoff before Luigi D’Alterio defended his big blind. Both players checked the 8 9 4 flop and the 2 turn before D’Alterio fired out for 875,000 on the 10 river.

Gaines tanked for nearly two minutes before he called. D’Alterio showed 10 5 for top pair and that was good enough to win the hand with Gaines tossing his hand face down to the dealer.

Luigi D’Alterio – 16 million
Glen Gaines – 4 million

Mostoccio Takes One Against Harnes 01.11.2022 00:13 by Jason Glatzer

Level 31: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 6/1,326

Thomas Harnes opened for 600,000 from the hijack before Mirko Mostaccio defended his big blind.

Mostaccio check-called bets of 850,000 on the J 10 4 flop and for 1,600,000 on the 5 turn. The J river paired the board and both players checked. Mostaccio turned over K 10 for two pair and won the hand after Harnes mucked his cards.

Thomas Harnes – 19 million
Mirko Mostaccio – 15 million

Alessandro La Cava Eliminated in 7th Place (€13,000) 31.10.2022 23:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 6/1,326

Alessandro La Cava limped from under the gun. Thomas Harnes called from the small blind and Glen Gaines checked his option from the big blind.

The players in the blinds checked the A 5 2 flop. La Cava fired out for 825,000. Harnes called and Gaines folded. Harnes checked again on the 4 turn. La Cava jammed for around 2.5 million and Harnes snap-called.

Alessandro La Cava: A J
Thomas Harnes: A 3

Harnes already had a wheel and La Cava was only drawing to a chop. The blank 7 completed the board on the river and Harnes ousted La Cava in 7th place while taking over the chip lead.

Thomas Harnes – 20 million
Alessandro La Cava – 0

Alessandro La Cava
Alessandro La Cava
PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1€145,000
2€89,000
3€57,000
4€35,000
5€25,000
6€18,000
7Alessandro La CavaItaly€13,000
8Steven SmithUnited Kingdom€9,000
9Karl MetzGermany€5,990
Final Table Payouts 31.10.2022 23:30 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1€145,000
2€89,000
3€57,000
4€35,000
5€25,000
6€18,000
7€13,000
8Steven SmithUnited Kingdom€9,000
9Karl MetzGermany€5,990
Gaines Cracks Matuschek’s Rockets 31.10.2022 23:16 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 7/1,326

Glen Gaines opened for 500,000 from the button. Tobias Matuschek three-bet to 1,000,000 from the big blind before Gaines four-bet jammed for about 5,300,000. Matuschuk called and Gaines needed a lot of help.

Glen Gaines: 9 9
Tobias Matuschek: A A

Help was immediately on its way with Gaines improving to a set on the J 9 4 flop and eventually cracked his opponent’s aces with a full house after the 4 river and K river completed the board.

Glen Gaines – 11 million
Tobias Matuschek – 11 million

Steven Smith Eliminated in 8th Place (€9,000) 31.10.2022 23:11 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 7/1,326

Steven Smith had his 6 million stack committed and he was at risk against Tobias Matuschek.

Steven Smith: Q Q
Tobias Matuschek: K K

Despite seemingly getting there in many situations when behind in an all-in situation, this wasn’t one of them with the third-best hand in poker up against the second-best hand with the 10 2 5 6 4 running out on the board.

Congrats to Smith for his eighth-place performance for €9,000.

Tobias Matuschek – 17 million
Steven Smith – 0

Steven Smith
Steven Smith
Snowmen Good for Mostaccio 31.10.2022 23:08 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 8/1,326

Steven Smith opened for 550,000 from under the gun and was called by Mirko Mostaccio from the cutoff.

Smith fired out for 525,000 on the 5 4 2 flop and for the same amount on the 6 turn. Mostaccio called both times and both players checked the 2 river. Smith turned over A 7 and his opponent won the pot after he tabled 8 8 .

Mirko Mostaccio – 10 million
Steven Smith – 5.5 million

Final Table Photos 31.10.2022 22:53 by Jason Glatzer
Everyone Loves a Chop 31.10.2022 22:33 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 8/1,326

Alessandro La Cava opened for 775,000 from under the gun. Steven Smith jammed for about 6 million and La Cava went into the tank for more than five minutes when the clock was called. La Cava opted to call off his stack of around 3 million with just one second left on the clock.

Steven Smith: Q Q
Alessandro La Cava: J J

Smith was ahead but the players wound up chopping when the 5 4 3 2 6 runout put a straight on the board.

Karl Metz Eliminated in 9th Place (€5,990) 31.10.2022 22:21 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 8/1,326

partypoker qualifier Karl Metz jammed his short stack from early position on the very first hand of the final table and was looked up by Alessandro La Cava, who three-bet jammed from late position.

Karl Metz: 2 2
Alessandro La Cava: A 6

La Cava not only connected but nailed a full house on the 6 8 A A 7 board to eliminate Metz and boost his stack.

Alessandro La Cava – 5 million
Karl Metz – 0

Karl Metz
Karl Metz
Final Table Seat Draw 31.10.2022 22:07 by Jason Glatzer
SeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Tobias Matuschek11,375,00057
2Mirko Antonino Mostaccio10,175,00051
3Luigi D’Alterio8,250,00041
4Karl Heinz Dieter Metz1,175,0006
5Andrew Cutajar7,200,00036
6Thomas Samuelsen Harnes14,750,00074
7Steven Smith6,050,00030
8Glen Gaines4,100,00021
9Alessandro La Cava3,300,00017
Payouts for €4,300 31.10.2022 21:57 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
10Stefan Alvetjarn€4,300
11Simone Raffaele Maglianella€4,330
12Jerome Moreau€4,300
Smith Busts Moreau 31.10.2022 21:48 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 9/1,362

Jerome Moreau was down to just a handful of big blinds when he got them in with king-ten. Steven Smith held aces, and the rockets held on a blank board for Moreau. Very soon after, both Stefan Alvertjarn and Simone Maglianella hit the rail and the action is on a short break while the final table is being set up.

Steven Smith – 6.5 million
Jerome Moreau – 0
Stefan Alvertjarn – 0
Simone Maglianella – 0

Jerome Moreau
Jerome Moreau
Payouts for €3,500 31.10.2022 21:44 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
13Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo€3,500
14Mike Alonso€3,500
15Arturas Bliudzius€3,500
Ace-Seven Doesn’t Get There for Day 2 Chip Leader Galindo 31.10.2022 21:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 12/1,362

There are just a dozen players left after Humberto Galindo jammed his short stack with A 7 and was looked up by Steven Smith with A 10 .

The 2 J 6 Q 10 board didn’t save Galindo and he was eliminated in 13th place after starting today with the chip lead.

Steven Smith – 5 million
Humberto Galindo – 0

“Oh F#*#!” 31.10.2022 21:40 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 13/1,326

Simone Maglianella opened for 400,000 from under the gun before Thomas Harnes three-bet to 1.6 million. Jerome Moreau asked Harnes how much he was on and Harnes showed his stacks. Moreau then four-bet jammed for 6 million or so. Maglianella quickly folded and Harnes just as quickly called off his stack of around 4 million and change.

Thomas Harnes: Q Q
Jerome Moreau: 8 8

“Oh fuck!” Moreau said when he saw how behind he was.

The 7 J 7 came on the flop. The 8 turn put Moreau ahead with a full house but the board wasn’t done yet. The Q spiked the river and Harnes doubled up with a better full house.

Thomas Harnes – 9 million
Jerome Moreau – 500,000

D’Alterio Shows a Trey on a Four-Bet Shove 31.10.2022 21:28 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 13/1,362

Luigi D’Alterio opened for 400,000 from early position. Simone Maglianella three-bet to 1,600,000 from the small blind. D’Alterio jammed for more than 6 million. Maglianella went into the tank before he folded.

Before mucking his cards, D’Alterio showed the 3 to the table.

Luigi D’Alterio – 8.2 million
Simone Maglianella – 5.1 million

Updated Chip Counts 31.10.2022 21:18 by Jason Glatzer
PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Tobias Matuschek11,225,00056
Simone Raffaele Maglianella6,675,00033
Jerome Moreau6,400,00032
Mirko Antonino Mostaccio6,400,00032
Luigi D’Alterio6,225,00031
Andrew Cutajar6,050,00030
Glen Gaines4,850,00024
Steven Smith3,400,00017
Stefan Alvetjarn3,175,00016
Karl Metz3,150,00016
Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo3,075,00015
Alessandro La Cava2,900,00015
Thomas Samuelsen Harnes2,575,00013
Winna, Winna, an Hour for Dinna 31.10.2022 20:27 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on a 60-minute dinner break. We are also ready for some nighttime munchies, so we will also take a break to enjoy some tasty food on the casino floor.

As soon as we mouth down some chow, we will update the chip counts for the final 13 players. Blinds will increase to 100,000/200,000 with a big blind ante of 200,000 when the action resumes.

Smith Works his Magic with Nine-Five Suited 31.10.2022 20:05 by Jason Glatzer

Level 28: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 13/1,326

We were almost down to a dozen hopefuls with Steven Smith nearly on the rail. Instead, some magic happened for Smith and he has some breathing room.

Smith jammed for 1,950,000 from the button and was called by Luigi D’Alterio from the big blind.

Steven Smith: 9 5
Luigi D’Alterio: A 10

A couple of the players at their table shook their head as Smith improved to trips on the 4 7 9 9 6 board to stay alive and double his stack.

Luigi D’Alterio – 5.5 million
Steven Smith – 4.5 million

Steven Smith
Steven Smith
More Final Day Photos 31.10.2022 20:00 by Jason Glatzer
Matuschek Doubles into the Chip Lead 31.10.2022 19:38 by Jason Glatzer

Level 28: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 13/1,326

Tobias Matuschek with A A got his last 3,875,000 in the middle with the 3 7 4 8 on the board and was up against Mirko Mostaccio with J J . There was already about 5 million in the pot from betting on previous streets.

This isn’t a bad beat story as no two-outer came on the river. Instead, the 8 river paired the board and Matuschek doubled into the chip lead.

Tobias Matuschek – 12.5 million
Mirko Mostaccio – 6 milion

Alonso Loses His Short Stack on the River 31.10.2022 19:32 by Jason Glatzer

Level 28: 75,000/150,000 (150,000)
Entries: 13/1,362

Mike Alonso doubled his short stack once and was looking to do it again. He nearly did and here’s how.

Alonso jammed for 775,000 from the cutoff. Luigi D’Alterio asked for a count from the big blind before calling moments later.

Mike Alonso: A 2
Luigi D’Alterio: 3 3

Alonso was behind when the chips went in but his hopes must have been sky-high after the turn with the 4 J Q A running out on the board. The table gasped in amazement after the 3 river spiked the board to improve D’Alterio to a set and send Alonso to the rail.

Luigi D’Alterio – 5.6 million
Mike Alonso – 0

Payouts for €3,000 31.10.2022 19:26 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
16Emanuele Onnis€3,000
17Jean Ruche€3,000
18Davide Iannaco€3,000
19Alessandro Forleo€3,000
20Raimondo Marcello€3,000
21Leon James Campbell€3,000
22Johan Nils Torp€3,000
Rockets for Maglianella to Oust Onnis 31.10.2022 19:18 by Jason Glatzer

Level 27: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 15/1,326

Simone Maglianella opened the hijack for 275,000 and was called by Mike Alonso from the cutoff. Emanuele Onnis squeezed for his 600,000 chip stack and Maglianella tank-called. Alonso then shoved for for 3.4 million and Maglianella snap-called this as well.

Emanuele Onnis: 7 7
Mike Alonso: K Q
Simone Maglianella: A A

Maglianella celebrated after his rockets held on the 3 8 3 J K board to eliminate Onnis and leave Alonso on fumes.

Simone Maglianella – 7 million
Mike Alonso – 200,000
Emanuele Onnis – 0

Moreau Wins a Flip Against Galindo 31.10.2022 19:07 by Jason Glatzer

Level 27: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 16/1,326

Jerome Moreau bet 1.5 million of his 1.75 million stack from the hijack and was put in for the rest by Humberto Galindo from the button.

Jerome Moreau: K J
Humberto Galindo: 9 9

Moreau connected with his jack to win the pot after the 8 4 J 5 7 ran out on the board.

Jerome Moreau – 3.8 million
Humberto Galindo – 3.5 million

Jerome Moreau
Jerome Moreau
Updated Chip Counts 31.10.2022 18:49 by Jason Glatzer
PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Mirko Antonino Mostaccio11,425,00091
Andrew Cutajar5,950,00048
Tobias Matuschek5,400,00043
Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo4,800,00038
Simone Raffaele Maglianella4,275,00034
Lars Stefan Alvetjarn4,175,00033
Mike Georges Alonso3,775,00030
Thomas Samuelsen Harnes3,650,00029
Luigi D’Alterio3,600,00029
Glen Gaines3,350,00027
Alessandro La Cava3,150,00025
Steven Smith3,025,00024
Karl Heinz Dieter Metz3,000,00024
Arturas Bliudzius2,425,00019
Jerome Moreau1,225,00010
Emanuele Onnis825,0007
Mostaccio Ousts Ruche 31.10.2022 18:35 by Jason Glatzer

Level 28: 50,000/125,000 (125,000)
Entries: 16/1,326

Jean Ruche jammed his short stack of less than 10 big blinds and was up against the big-stacked Mirko Mostaccio.

Jean Ruche: A Q
Mirko Mostaccio: J J

Ruche was unable to connected with the 3 3 3 K 8 board and lost the flip and his tournament life. The action is paused for a two-table redraw.

Mirko Mostaccio – 11.5 million
Jean Ruche – 0

Torp Doubles Through Moreau 31.10.2022 18:31 by Jason Glatzer

Level 27: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 17/1,326

There will be a table redraw after one more elimination. The shorter stacks keep doubling, the latest was Nils Torp doubling through Jerome Moreau.

The stacks were in before the flop for a pot slightly north of 4 million in chips and Torp at risk.

Nils Torp: A K
Jerome Moreau: J J

Torp made it look easy as he improved to a full house on the A Q A Q K board to double his stack through Moreau.

Nils Torp – 4 million
Jerome Moreau – 1 million

Gaines Gains Chips with King-Queen 31.10.2022 18:24 by Jason Glatzer

Level 27: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 17/1,326

Glen Gaines three-bet jammed the button for 1,450,000 and was called by Tobias Matuschek from under the gun who opened for a min-raise.

Glen Gaines: K Q
Tobias Matuschek: A J

“Good luck, guys,” Mike Alonso said to both players.

The J Q 6 4 6 board gave Gaines a better two pair than Matuschek to stay alive and double his stack.

Tobias Matuschek – 6 million
Glen Gaines – 3.2 million

Glen Gaines
Glen Gaines


Long Tank for La Cava as He Ousts Iannaco 31.10.2022 18:12 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 17/1,326

Davide Iannoco jammed the button for 13 big blinds. Alessandro La Cava went into the tank for what seemed like five minutes from the big blind before he called.

Davide Iannoco: 10 7
Alessandro La Cava: A 7

Iannoco didn’t seem too thrilled with La Cava finding a call. He was less thrilled after not getting anywhere on the 3 3 Q A 6 board and was eliminated in 18th place.

Alessandro La Cava – 4 million
Davide Iannoco – 0

Alessandro La Cava
Alessandro La Cava
Flurry of Eliminations 31.10.2022 18:01 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 18/1,326

There were eliminations happening simultaneously on Tables 1 & 2. Over on Table 1 it was a double elimination with Alessandro Forleo holding A Q , Raimondo Marcello holding A 7 , and Mirko Mostaccio holding 8 8 .

D’Alterio nailed a set of snowmen on the 8 10 2 A 10 board to send two players packing.

Meanwhile, on Table 2, Stefan Alvetjarn continues his impressive run and his J J was good enough to eliminate Leon Campbell with 10 10 . There was also another player in the hand with A K . The 2 7 J 4 Q runout gave Alvertjarn a set of jacks and is up to 5.2 million in chips, the exact amount he accidentally wrote on his bag last night when he had 525,000 in chips in reality.

Mirko Mistaccio – 11 million
Stefan Alvetjarn – 5.2 million
Raimondo Marcello – 0
Alessandro Forleo – 0
Leon Campbell – 0

Bliudzius Ousts Torp 31.10.2022 17:44 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 50,000/100,00 (100,000)
Entries: 21/1,326

Nils Torp three-bet shoved over a min-raise open by Arturas Bliudzius. Bliudzius called and the cards were turned over.

Arturas Bliudzius: J J
Nils Torp: A 4

The 10 A 6 flop gave Torp some hope from top pair.

Several players wished Torp a good game after he was drawing dead to Bliudzius’ better flush after the 2 turn came. Torp was officially eliminated after the 2 river paired the board.

Arturas Bliudzius – 4.3 million
Nils Torp – 0

Full Updated Chip Counts 31.10.2022 17:38 by Jason Glatzer
PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Mirko Mostaccio8,300,00083
Humberto Galindo5,700,00057
Tobias Matuschek5,050,00051
Simone Maglianella4,875,00049
Davide Iannaco3,850,00039
Jerome Moreau3,575,00036
Glen Gaines3,525,00035
Steven Smith3,325,00033
Luigi D’Alterio3,300,00033
Leon Campbell3,250,00033
Thomas Harnes3,075,00031
Karl Metz (partypoker qualifier)2,550,00026
Andrew Cutajar2,525,00025
Alessandro La Cava2,350,00024
Arturas Bliudzius2,150,00022
Jean Ruche1,875,00019
Stefan Alvetjarn1,725,00017
Alessandro Forleo1,700,00017
Nils Torp1,600,00016
Mike Georges Alonso1,400,00014
Emanuele Onnis1,375,00014
Raimondo Marcello1,100,00011
Rimko Meijer Did Well for His First Tournament 31.10.2022 17:36 by Jason Glatzer

During the break, Rimko Meijer dropped by for a chat. He explained how he came in for 26 big blinds before doubling up a short-stacked player when his ace-queen didn’t hold against queen-eight. We already reported his final hand which was when his ace-nine didn’t hold against queen-eight.

Meijer shared this was his first live poker tournament. Not a bad result finishing in 24th place for €2,700 out of a massive field of 1,326 entries.

We wish Meijer the best of luck in future events and hope to see him around.

Payouts for €2,700 31.10.2022 17:22 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
24Rimko Meijer€2,700
25Dario Marinelli€2,700
26Alessandro Santini€2,700
27Sylvere Paillot€2,700
28Johannes Grootelaar€2,700
29Hendrik Remmerde€2,700
30Antoine Talvard€2,700
31Uwe Matthias€2,700
Matuschek Rockets to a Massive Stack with Rockets 31.10.2022 17:18 by Jason Glatzer

Level 25: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 22/1,326

Tobias Matuschek called bets on all of the streets by Dario Marinelli including a big jam on the river on the 2 5 Q 6 8 board.

Marinelli turned over K Q but this wasn’t enough and he was on the rail, while Matuschek collected a massive pot.

Just after, Rimko Meijer got his short stack in with A 9 and couldn’t hold against his opponent’s J 10 after the K 5 J Q 9 ran out on the board to give his opponent a straight. Meanwhile, Alessandro Santini lost his short stack and Raf de Wever found his way to the rail as well to leave 22 players remaining.

Shortly after, players went on their first break. We will update all of the chip counts after the break.

Tobias Matuschek – 6 million
Dario Marinelli – 0
Tobias Matuschek – 0

Forleo Doubles Again 31.10.2022 16:58 by Jason Glatzer

Level 25: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 27/1,326

Alessandro Forleo was down to just six big blinds but now has tons of breathing room about an orbit later. As we already reported, he first won a flip to double against Alessandro Santini. The next double-up went as follows.

Forleo three-bet jammed with ace-queen and was called by Luigi D’Alterio with queens. An ace hit the flop and Forleo held the rest of the way to double his stack again.

Alessandro Forleo – 3 million
Luigi D’Alterio – 1 million

Forleo Wins Battle of the Alessandro Short Stacks 31.10.2022 16:52 by Jason Glatzer

Level 25: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 27/1,326

Alessandro Santini jammed for 620,000 from the cutoff. Alessandro Forleo called off his stack of 465,000 from the button and the players in the blinds laid down their hands.

Alessandro Forleo: 5 5
Alessandro Santini: 9 7

Forleo doubled through Santini after his opponent bricked the J 3 4 4 A board to win the battle of the Alessandro’s.

Alessandro Forleo – 1.2 million
Alessandro Santini – 155,000

Remmerde Loses His Short Stack but Had a Blast 31.10.2022 16:46 by Jason Glatzer

Level 25: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 27/1,326

Hendrik Remmerde recently hit the rail and we decided to have a small chat with him. He shared that he is normally a cash game player and that this was his first live international tournament.

Not a bad run to get all the way to 28th place!

Remmerde shared he had a blast at the Malta Poker Festival and that he will likely play more events in the future now that he has had a great flavor for them at the Malta Poker Festival.

Remmerde said he was down to four big blinds when in the blinds he got it in with seven-five suited and didn’t get there against nine-eight offsuit.

We hope to see Remmerde at the Malta Poker Festival when it returns in 2023 and congrats on a great run in his first international event!

Flush for Campbell to Double Through Maglianella 31.10.2022 16:35 by Jason Glatzer

Level 25: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 29/1,326

The clock was reading Level 25, but it was still Level 24 when Leon Campbell opened for 150,000 from late position. Campbell was called by Simone Maglianella from the blinds. Maglianella check-called bets of 110,000 on the 2 8 4 flop and for 120,000 by Campbell on the 6 turn before checking one last time on the 9 river.

Campbell jammed for 865,000 and Maglianella tank-called. Campbell slammed down in excitement in K 7 for a flush which was more than enough to double through Maglianella who held 7 4 .

Meanwhile, Hendrik Remmerde, Antoine Talvard, and Uwe Matthias all hit the rail to leave just 28 players remaining in the field.

Simone Maglianella – 4 million
Leon Campbell – 3 million
Hendrik Remmerde – 0
Antoine Talvard – 0
Uwe Matthias – 0

Leon Campbell
Leon Campbell
Final Day Photos 31.10.2022 16:22 by Jason Glatzer

Here is a look at a handful of final day photos of the MPF Grand Event.

Players who Cashed for €2,400 31.10.2022 16:11 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
32Kolade Charles Akadiri€2,400
33James Michael Clarke€2,400
34Craig Lee Rose€2,400
35Sean Hopkin€2,400
36Caroline Schallock€2,400
37Yossef Cohen€2,400
38Tom Deschuytter€2,400
39Cornelis Peter Vreugdenhill€2,400
Clarke Loses a Flip and His Chips 31.10.2022 16:09 by Jason Glatzer

Level 24: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 31/1,326

James Clarke and Humberto Galindo had their stacks in from the blinds with Clarke at risk.

James Clarke: A Q
Humberto Galindo: 10 10

Clarke stood up after he needed a miracle with Galindo improving to a set on the 10 6 3 flop. Clarke was drawing dead on the 5 turn and was officially eliminated after the 4 river completed the board.

Meanwhile, Kolade Akardiri hit the rail moments later on another table to leave just 31 players remaining.

Humberto Galindo – 5 million
James Clarke – 0
Kolade Akardiri – 0

Gaines Sends Rose to the Showers 31.10.2022 16:05 by Jason Glatzer

Level 24: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 33/1,326

Craig Rose jammed his last 675,000 from under the gun and was called by Glen Gaines from one seat over.

Craig Rose: K Q
Glen Gaines: A J

Rose bricked the 3 9 5 10 A board and was eliminated in 34th place.

Glen Gaines – 4.5 million
Craig Rose – 0

“Nice River to Bluff” 31.10.2022 15:58 by Jason Glatzer

Level 24: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 34/1,326

Leon Campbell checked with the 6 4 8 8 on the board after the turn. Simone Maglianella bet 375,000 into a pot north of 600,000 and Campbell called.

The 5 river completed the board and Campbell checked again. Maglianella jammed for more than the 2 million Campbell had left in his stack. Campbell tanked for a minute before he folded.

“Nice river to bluff with,” Campbell said to Maglianella.

Meanwhile, Sean Hopkin busted at a different table to leave 34 players remaining in the field.

Simone Maglianella – 5.5 million
Leon Campbell – 2 million
Sean Hopkin – 0

Second Double for Alvetjarn 31.10.2022 15:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 24: 30,000/60,000 (60,000)
Entries: 35/1,326

We just mentioned a short time ago that Stefan Alvetjarn accidentally put an extra zero on his bag last night writing 5,250,000 instead of 525,000 and how he said he would double four times early today to get to that amount.

He is doing his best to be a man of his word as he has already doubled twice. The latest double was when his cowboys held again the jacks held by Johannes Grootelaar.

Stefan Alvertjarn – 2.3 million
Johannes Grootelaar – 700,000

Stefan Alvetjarn
Stefan Alvetjarn
Smith Ousts Schallock 31.10.2022 15:37 by Jason Glatzer

Level 25: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 35/1,326

It was an incredible run for Caroline Schallock as she was the last woman standing. She came into today with a short stack but with hopes alive. Meanwhile, Steven Smith also came in with a short stack but now he is sitting with a healthy stack after some fireworks with Schallock.

First, Smith doubled through Schallock when his ace-ten got there against tens. A little while later, Schallock just had crumbs in her stack and was in the big blind. Smith had K J and Schallock had no choice but to call with 4 3 . No luck came Schallock’s way with the K 4 10 10 9 board giving Smith a better two pair. We hope to see Schallock at the next Malta Poker Festival with an even deeper run.

Just before then, Yossef Cohen and Tom Deschuytter also hit the rail to leave just 35 players remaining.

Steven Smith – 2.3 million
Caroline Schallock – 0
Yossef Cohen – 0
Tom Deschuytter – 0

Caroline Schallock
Caroline Schallock
First of Four Double-Ups for Alvertjarn? 31.10.2022 15:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 23: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 38/1,326

Antoine Talvard min-raised before Stefan Alvetjarn three-bet jammed for 10 big blinds. Arturas Bliudzius four-bet over the top for a bit more and Talvard folded.

Stefan Alvertjarn: K J
Arturas Bliudzius: J J

A king spiked the board for Alvertjarn to double his stack. Alvertjarn accidentally put an extra zero on his bag last night and joked with me in the morning that he will get those chips before too long by doubling up four times. Good luck, Stefan for three more double-ups to go!

Meanwhile, Cornelis Vreugdenhill was eliminated around the same time at a different table.

Stefan Alvertjarn – 1.3 million
Arturas Bliudzius: 1.2 million
Cornelis Vreugdenhill – 0

Top Pair Good for D’Alterio 31.10.2022 15:19 by Jason Glatzer

Level 23: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 39/1,326

Luigi D’Alterio min-raised from min-position and was called by Glen Gaines from the small blind. Gaines check-called a bet of 155,000 by D’Alterio on the 2 6 3 flop before check-calling a bigger bet of 380,000 on the K turn. The J river completed the board and both players checked.

Gaines turned over 5 5 which wasn’t enough to win the pot with D’Alterio showing K 9 for top pair.

Luigi D’Alterio – 3.3 million
Glen Gaines – 2.7 million

Cards in the Air 31.10.2022 15:06 by Jason Glatzer

Level 23: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 39/1,326

Cards are in the air for the final day of the MPF Grand Event and the €1,100 CasinoCoin CUP.

Best of luck to the players in both tournaments. Our focus will be nearly 100% on the Grand Event.

Who Will Win the 2022 MPF Autumn Edition Grand Event for €145,000? 31.10.2022 14:27 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer

Welcome back to our coverage of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival (MPF) Autumn Edition Grand Event. The action has progressed to its final day with just 39 hopefuls in the hunt for the title which comes along with a massive €145,000 top prize.

Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo was absolutely crushing during Day 2 and finished the day with a chip lead stack of 4,240,000 in chips. Also bagging top five chip stacks into the final day were Jerome Moreau (3,940,000), Simone Maglianella (3,680,000), Alessandro La Cava (3,560,000), and Glen Gaines (3,290,000). Galindo has had a handful of cashes on the island and is looking for this one to be the biggest with his eyes on the €145,000 top prize.

Meanwhile, Luigi D’Alterio (2,705,000), Leon Campbell (2,150,000), Sylvere Paillot (1,800,000), Dario Marinelli (1,640,000), Uwe Matthias (1,175,000), and Caroline Schallock (805,000) are among some of the other players that advanced.

Day 2 Top 10 Chip Counts

PlacePlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo4,240,00085
2Jerome Moreau3,940,00079
3Simone Maglianella3,680,00074
4Alessandro La Cava3,560,00071
5Glen Gaines3,290,00066
6Davide Iannaco3,235,00065
7Jean Ruche3,125,00063
8Andrew Cutajar3,005,00060
9Luigi D’Alterio2,705,00054
10Craig Rose2,300,00046

Final Day Plan

The final day will begin at 2 p.m. CEST with 31:22 remaining on the clock on Level 25 with blinds at 25,000/50,000 along with a big blind ante of 50,000. After this blind level, the blinds will increase every 60 minutes providing the deepest structure of the tournament with most of the opening flights boasting 40-minute blinds levels and Day 2 featuring longer 50-minute blind levels.

PokerListings will be with you from the beginning until the latest MPF Grand Event winner is crowned to bring the action to you with hands, bad beats, and anything else fun that may take place. 

Remaining MPF Grand Event Payouts

The final 39 players have each locked up €2,400 with the payouts going up quickly from there. Here is a look at the remaining payout schedule:

PlacePrize
1€145,000
2€89,000
3€57,000
4€35,000
5€25,000
6€18,000
7€13,000
8€9,000
9€5,990
10-12€4,330
13-15€3,500
16-23€3,000
24-31€2,700
32-39€2,400

Final Day Seat Draw

TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
11Glen Gaines3,290,00066
12Emanuele Onnis760,00015
13Mirko Mostaccio1,615,00032
14Luigi D’Alterio2,705,00054
15Kolade Akadiri1,675,00034
16Alessandro Forleo720,00014
17Craig Rose2,300,00046
18Cornelis Vreugdenhill130,0003
21Alessandro La Cava3,560,00071
22Tom Deschuytter625,00013
23Leon Campbell2,150,00043
24Johannes Grootelaar995,00020
25Simone Maglianella3,680,00074
26Sean Hopkin1,300,00026
27Davide Iannaco3,235,00065
28Yossef Cohen190,0004
31Raimondo Marcello1,050,00021
32Jerome Moreau3,940,00079
33Andrew Cutajar3,005,00060
34Sylvere Paillot1,800,00036
35Matthias Uwe1,175,00024
36Hendrik Remmerde515,00010
37Thomas Harnes1,700,00034
38Alessandro Santini1,195,00024
41Dario Marinelli1,640,00033
42Arturas Bliudzius1,950,00039
43Tobias Matuschek1,090,00022
44Nils Torp625,00013
45Rimko Meijer1,300,00026
46Mike Alonso1,600,00032
47Antoine Talvard1,750,00035
48Stefan Alvetjarn525,00011
51Raf de Wever1,615,00032
53Jean Ruche3,125,00063
54Steven Smith880,00018
55Caroline Schallock805,00016
56Karl Metz685,00014
57James Clarke1,385,00028
58Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo4,240,00085
Humberto Galindo Leads Final 39 Players in the MPF Grand Event 31.10.2022 03:25 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer
Stefan Alvetjarn Leads the Final 39 Players in the MPF Grand Final

The 2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition €550 Grand Event by any measure has thus far been a smashing success at Portomaso Casino with 1,326 entries coming out in full force during the five opening flights for a massive €636,480 prize pool to smash the event’s €500,000 guarantee.

Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo was absolutely crushing during Day 2 and finished the day with a chip lead stack of 4,240,000 in chips. Also bagging top five chip stacks into the final day were Jerome Moreau (3,940,000), Simone Maglianella (3,680,000), Alessandro La Cava (3,560,000), and Glen Gaines (3,290,000). Galindo has had a handful of cashes on the island and is looking for this one to be the biggest with his eyes on the €145,000 top prize.

Meanwhile, Luigi D’Alterio (2,705,000), Leon Campbell (2,150,000), Sylvere Paillot (1,800,000), Dario Marinelli (1,640,000), Uwe Matthias (1,175,000), and Caroline Schallock (805,000) are among some of the other players that advanced.

Caroline Schallock
Caroline Schallock

Schallock is the only woman in the field to advance to the final day. She had remarkable resilience throughout Day 2 as she suffered some big losses especially when her aces were cracked by ace-jack with players having their chips in the pot before the flop.

In another situation, she had big slick and was up against ace-ten and pocket tens. This isn’t as much of a bad beat story as a cooler as all three players committed their stacks before the flop. Schallock pulled ahead after an ace hit the flop. But that wasn’t the end of the story as the player with tens won the hand after nailing a one outer with a ten coming on the river.

Schallock was calm, cool, and collected at the end of the day and hopes to work some magic tomorrow.

Day 2 Top 10 Chip Counts

PlacePlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo4,240,00085
2Jerome Moreau3,940,00079
3Simone Maglianella3,680,00074
4Alessandro La Cava3,560,00071
5Glen Gaines3,290,00066
6Davide Iannaco3,235,00065
7Jean Ruche3,125,00063
8Andrew Cutajar3,005,00060
9Luigi D’Alterio2,705,00054
10Craig Rose2,300,00046

Action of the Day

Day 2 began with 357 hopefuls in the hunt for Malta Poker Festival Grand Event glory. A few hours into the day, the money bubble was reached after Oystein Brenden was unable to get his king-jack to hold with his short stack against the queen-six held by Glen Gaines. Brenden took his fate well and was seen playing dealer’s choice mixed games after his unfortunate demise. After Brenden hit the rail, the remaining 143 players were each guaranteed at least a min-cash of €1,100, representing exactly double the €550 buy-in.

Oystein Brenden
Oystein Brenden Bubbles the MPF Grand Final with a Smile

Four of the five opening flight chip leaders were unable to parlay their big stacks into Day 3. However, all three of these players finished in the money including Day 1a chip leader Daniel Taylor (62nd – €1,800), Day 1b chip leader Anastasios Apostolou, and Day 1d chip leader and the player on top of the leaderboard to start Day 2 Peter de Bruin (85th – €1,400).

Meanwhile, Day 1c chip leader Oscar Arezzo suffered a different fate as he was unable to make the money, while Day 1e chip leader Alessandro La Cava we already mentioned was successful with his big stack and is in the top five in the chip count to start the final day.

Final Day Plan

The final day will begin at 2 p.m. CEST with 31:22 remaining on the clock on Level 25 with blinds at 25,000/50,000 along with a big blind ante of 50,000. After this blind level, the blinds will increase every 60 minutes providing the deepest structure of the tournament with most of the opening flights boasting 40-minute blinds levels and Day 2 featuring longer 50-minute blind levels.

PokerListings will be with you from the beginning until the latest MPF Grand Event winner is crowned to bring the action to you with hands, bad beats, and anything else fun that may take place.

Remaining MPF Grand Event Payouts

The final 39 players have each locked up €2,400 with the payouts going up quickly from there. Here is a look at the remaining payout schedule:

PlacePrize
1€145,000
2€89,000
3€57,000
4€35,000
5€25,000
6€18,000
7€13,000
8€9,000
9€5,990
10-12€4,330
13-15€3,500
16-23€3,000
24-31€2,700
32-39€2,400

Final Day Seat Draw

TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
11Glen Gaines3,290,00066
12Emanuele Onnis760,00015
13Mirko Mostaccio1,615,00032
14Luigi D’Alterio2,705,00054
15Kolade Akadiri1,675,00034
16Alessandro Forleo720,00014
17Craig Rose2,300,00046
18Cornelis Vreugdenhill130,0003
21Alessandro La Cava3,560,00071
22Tom Deschuytter625,00013
23Leon Campbell2,150,00043
24Johannes Grootelaar995,00020
25Simone Maglianella3,680,00074
26Sean Hopkin1,300,00026
27Davide Iannaco3,235,00065
28Yossef Cohen190,0004
31Raimondo Marcello1,050,00021
32Jerome Moreau3,940,00079
33Andrew Cutajar3,005,00060
34Sylvere Paillot1,800,00036
35Matthias Uwe1,175,00024
36Hendrik Remmerde515,00010
37Thomas Harnes1,700,00034
38Alessandro Santini1,195,00024
41Dario Marinelli1,640,00033
42Arturas Bliudzius1,950,00039
43Tobias Matuschek1,090,00022
44Nils Torp625,00013
45Rimko Meijer1,300,00026
46Mike Alonso1,600,00032
47Antoine Talvard1,750,00035
48Stefan Alvetjarn525,00011
51Raf de Wever1,615,00032
53Jean Ruche3,125,00063
54Steven Smith880,00018
55Caroline Schallock805,00016
56Karl Metz685,00014
57James Clarke1,385,00028
58Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo4,240,00085
Danilo De Berardinis & Ivonne Montealegre
Danilo De Berardinis & Ivonne Montealegre

A special thank you to MPF founder Ivonne Montealegre along with the hard-working staff at both Portomaso Casino and MPF’s technical partner Ludos Academy for making this event as special as it is. Of course, it couldn’t have happened without the enthusiasm of the large crowd of players coming out to not only play the Grand Event but the many side events happening throughout the week.

We look forward to one more amazing day. Time will tell who will win the MPF Grand Event. Stay tuned at PokerListings starting tomorrow at 2 p.m. CEST when cards are in the air.

End-of-Day 2 Chip Counts 31.10.2022 00:45 by Jason Glatzer
PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Humberto Galindo4,240,00085
Jerome Moreau3,940,00079
Simone Maglianella3,680,00074
Alessandro La Cava3,560,00071
Glen Gaines3,290,00066
Davide Iannaco3,235,00065
Jean Ruche3,125,00063
Andrew Cutajar3,005,00060
Luigi D’Alterio2,705,00054
Craig Rose2,300,00046
Leon Campbell2,150,00043
Arturas Bliudzius1,950,00039
Sylvere Paillot1,800,00036
Antoine Talvard1,750,00035
Thomas Harnes1,700,00034
Kolade Akadiri1,675,00034
Dario Marinelli1,640,00033
Raf De Wever1,615,00032
Mirko Mostaccio1,615,00032
Mike Alonso1,600,00032
James Clarke1,385,00028
Sean Hopkin1,300,00026
Rimko Meijer1,300,00026
Alessandro Santini1,195,00024
Uwe Matthias1,175,00024
Tobias Matuschek1,090,00022
Raimondo Marcello1,050,00021
Johannes Grootelaar995,00020
Steven Smith880,00018
Caroline Schallock805,00016
Emanuele Onnis760,00015
Alessandro Forleo720,00014
Karl Metz685,00014
Tom Deschuytter625,00013
Nils Torp625,00013
Stefan Alvetjarn525,00011
Hendrik Remmerde515,00010
Yossef Cohen190,0004
Cornelis Vreugdenhill130,0003
Full Payouts on Day 2 31.10.2022 00:40 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
40Ted Johansson€2,100
41Giuseppe Grupposo€2,100
42Daniel Knote€2,100
43Minh-Ho Dennis Tran€2,100
44Tomasz Kolewczynski€2,100
45Roland Chadi Alakji€2,100
46Damien Sylvain Gayer€2,100
47Bo Bjork€2,100
48Ioannis Aslanidis€1,800
49Bjarke Matthiesen€1,800
50Alberto Cigliano€1,800
51Fredrik Kristiansen€1,800
52Tomas Molcan€1,800
53Johannes Erfurth€1,800
54Sascha Manns€1,800
55James Browne€1,800
56Kevin Houghton€1,800
57Koen Meutstege€1,800
58Jesse Henrik Liljegren€1,800
59Harald Engleder€1,800
60Luca Iannizzotto€1,800
61Gary Whitehead€1,800
62Daniel Taylor€1,800
63Krzyztof Piotr Otlik€1,800
64Quentin Roussey€1,600
65Anastasios Apostolou€1,600
66Roberto Zuffo€1,600
67Biagio Torrisi€1,600
68Domenico Tortomasi€1,600
69Elsje Paula J Vansteenkiste€1,600
70William Peter Mitchell€1,600
71Leanddro Cataldo€1,600
72Drago Calogero€1,600
73Bart Joanna J Maes€1,600
74Alain Pujol€1,600
75Paul Richard Maguire€1,600
76Salvatore Di Dio€1,600
77Domenico Desimone€1,600
78Angelo Censabella€1,600
79Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus€1,600
80Edgaras Petkevicius€1,400
81Orazio Pellegrino€1,400
82Bengt Fredric Hallner€1,400
83Kristof Everaerts€1,400
84Gianmarco Pagliaro€1,400
85Peter De Bruin€1,400
86Pierre Jean Roger Jeffredo€1,400
87Karl Staffan Lind€1,400
88Bruce Shannon€1,400
89Stavros Tsakas€1,400
90Dario Barone€1,400
91Torgeir Hagmann€1,400
92Per Helge Gaassand€1,400
93Per Christian Westermark€1,400
94Ahmed Ibrahimi€1,400
95Giovanni Gaggia€1,400
96Jens Mmab€1,300
97Jos Pieter Ten Have€1,300
98Boris Velev€1,300
99Karl Ioannis Leondis€1,300
100Daniel Buzato De Aquino€1,300
101Sturla Hiller€1,300
102Raimund Geier€1,300
103William Murray Bailie€1,300
104Daniel Kuhlmann€1,300
105Jonathan James Walker€1,300
106Miguel Alonso Avellana€1,300
107Roland Arthur Boothby€1,300
108Holm Manfred Erdmann€1,300
109David Hodgkins€1,300
110Soner Vanelderen€1,300
111Patrick James Kelliher€1,300
112Joseph Grech€1,200
113Corentin Jean-Yves Alain Viaud€1,200
114Christopher Da Silva€1,200
115Agostino Catanese€1,200
116Jeff Cannon€1,200
117Guillermo Alejandro Giner Ceballos€1,200
118Tommy Roger Lievens€1,200
119Dirk Hedrich€1,200
120Thomas Erik Lind€1,200
121Vincenzo Pellegrino€1,200
122Robert A Perelman€1,200
123Mathis Bouledin€1,200
124Daniel Filipe Pereira Henriques€1,200
125Cosimo De Gennaro€1,200
126Florian Adrien Gouguet€1,200
127Lawrence Stone€1,200
128Giacomo Ferrara€1,100
129Matthew Ross Adams€1,100
130Erik Lars Allan Lindqwist€1,100
131Noel Oliver Studer€1,100
132Skipp Van Den Assem€1,100
133Ronnie Cohen€1,100
134Jorgen Schjetne€1,100
135Tomasz Piotr Brzezinski€1,100
136Hafpor Smari Sigmundsson€1,100
137Aram Mikael Papazian€1,100
138Robrecht Victor Winterink€1,100
139Piotr Rekawiecki€1,100
140Julian Sacco€1,100
141Mikael Andreas Blomvall€1,100
142Erlend Sten Melson€1,100
143Oliver Hutchins€1,100
Players Bagging Chips 31.10.2022 00:32 by Jason Glatzer

The action quickly went down to just 39 players in a hurry with 31:22 remaining on the clock of Level 25. Players are bagging chips and will return tomorrow when eventually we will find out who will win the €145,000 top prize in the MPF Grand Event.

Payouts for €1,800 30.10.2022 23:50 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
48Ioannis Aslanidis€1,800
49Bjarke Matthiesen€1,800
50Alberto Cigliano€1,800
51Fredrik Kristiansen€1,800
52Tomas Molcan€1,800
53Johannes Erfurth€1,800
54Sascha Manns€1,800
55James Browne€1,800
56Kevin Houghton€1,800
57Koen Meutstege€1,800
58Jesse Henrik Liljegren€1,800
59Harald Engleder€1,800
60Luca Iannizzotto€1,800
61Gary Whitehead€1,800
62Daniel Taylor€1,800
63Krzyztof Piotr Otlik€1,800
Day 2 Will End the Shorter of 40 Players or Level 27 30.10.2022 23:46 by Jason Glatzer

Before the break, the tournament staff announced that Day 2 would end either with 40 players remaining or when the action reaches Level 27. With just 47 players remaining on the break, it is almost a certainty that Day 2 will end whenever the action is down to five eight-max tables.

End of the Line for Aslanidis 30.10.2022 23:45 by Jason Glatzer

Level 23: 25,000/50,000 (50,000)
Entries: 47/1,326

We met Greece’s Ioannis Aslanidis on Day 1b of the Grand Event. We clicked right away and were silently rooting for him to make it to the final table. Aslanidis used to play a bit of live poker but took a break. Maybe this is the start of him getting back into live events.

We found that we had common friends in Greece and Aslanidis would often come by the media desk before and after the day to have a friendly chat.

Unfortunately, Aslanidis was eliminated from the Grand Event just before the last break.

He had a photo of the hand and he shared that he three-bet jammed with J J and was called by Jean Ruch with one pair better with Q Q .

As you might have guessed, no miracle came on the 7 4 K A 5 board and Aslanidis left the tournament area with a big smile on his face after a nice run.

Jean Ruch – 3 million
Ioannis Aslandis – 0

Break Time 30.10.2022 23:24 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on another break.

Big Slick for Santini 30.10.2022 22:56 by Jason Glatzer

Level 22: 20,000/40,000 (40,000)
Entries: 57/1,326

Jesse Liljegren opened for 80,000 from early position. Alessandro Santini three-bet jammed for 495,000 from one seat over. The action folded around to Liljegren who went into the tank for about a minute before he called for most of his stack.

Alessandro Santini: A K
Jesse Liljegren: K Q

Both players improved to trips on the J K 8 2 K . Santini’s ace-kicker came into play to win the hand and double his stack. Liljegren wasn’t sure if he was eliminated or not until the full counts were made.

“A chip and a chair,” Liljegren said with a smile.

After we left the table, Liljegren dusted off the rest of his stack.

Alessandro Santini – 1.1 million
Jesse Liljegren – 0

Alessandro Santini
Alessandro Santini
Payouts for €1,600 30.10.2022 22:35 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPayout
64Quentin Roussey€1,600
65Anastasios Apostolou€1,600
66Roberto Zuffo€1,600
67Biagio Torrisi€1,600
68Domenico Tortomasi€1,600
69Elsje Paula J Vansteenkiste€1,600
70William Peter Mitchell€1,600
71Leanddro Cataldo€1,600
72Drago Calogero€1,600
73Bart Joanna J Maes€1,600
74Alain Pujol€1,600
75Paul Richard Maguire€1,600
76Salvatore Di Dio€1,600
77Domenico Desimone€1,600
78Angelo Censabella€1,600
79Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus€1,600
More Day 2 Photos 30.10.2022 22:33 by Jason Glatzer
Big Pot for Gayer without Seeing a Flop 30.10.2022 22:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 21: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 63/1,326

Glen Gaines opened for 65,000 from the cutoff and was called by Sascha Manns from the button and Alessandro La Cava from the small blind before Damien Gayer squeezed with a three-bet to 270,000. Gaines folded before Manns four-bet to 665,000. La Cava folded and Gayer went into the tank.

A couple of minutes later, Gayer five-bet jammed for more than the 1,800,000 or so Manns had in his stack to start the hand. The table remained super silent as Manns tanked for about 5 minutes. It would have been for the likely chip lead if Manns made the call but he eventually opted to fold and muck his cards. Gayer was awarded the pot and also opted to not show his cards.

Damien Gayer – 2.9 million
Sascha Manns – 1.125 million

Damien Gayer
Damien Gayer
Players with Seven-Figure Stacks 30.10.2022 22:06 by Jason Glatzer

Level 21: 15,000/30,000 (30,000)
Entries: 69/1,326

The following players have at least 1 million in chips. France’s Jerome Moreau currently holds the chip lead and is the only player above 3 million in chips.

PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Jerome Moreau3,200,000107
Glen Gaines2,600,00087
Damien Gayer2,200,00073
Arturas Bliudzius2,200,00073
Simone Maglianella2,100,00070
Andrew Cutajar2,000,00067
Sylvere Paillot1,700,00057
Mirko Mostaccio1,625,00054
Raimondo Marcello1,550,00052
Ted Johansson1,500,00050
Sascha Manns1,400,00047
Yossef Cohen1,025,00034
Payouts for €1,400 30.10.2022 21:49 by Jason Glatzer
PlacePlayerPrize
80Edgaras Petkevicius€1,400
81Orazio Pellegrino€1,400
82Bengt Fredric Hallner€1,400
83Kristof Everaerts€1,400
84Gianmarco Pagliaro€1,400
85Peter de Bruin€1,400
86Pierre Jean Roger Jeffredo€1,400
87Staffan Lind€1,400
88Bruce Shannon€1,400
89Stavros Tsakas€1,400
90Dario Barone€1,400
91Torgeir Hagmann€1,400
92Per Helge Gaassand€1,400
93Per Christian Westermark€1,400
94Ahmed Ibrahimi€1,400
95Giovanni Gaggia€1,400
Cutajar Nails Straight to Oust Pellegrino 30.10.2022 21:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 20: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 80/1,326

Andrew Cutajar jammed his huge stack with the 4 10 2 6 3 on the board with about 700,000 already in the spread pot. Orazio Pellegino seemed a bit disturbed and tanked for a few minutes before he called off for about 600,000.

Cutajar turned over 5 5 for the rivered straight. Pellegrino slammed down his hand before turning it over showing J 6 then shoved all his chips scatter into the pot before leaving the poker room.

Andrew Cutajar – 2,300,000
Orazio Pellegrino – 0

Bliudzius Nails Trip Sixes to Stay Alive & Doubles 30.10.2022 21:28 by Jason Glatzer

Level 20: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 86/1,326

Arturas Bliudzius from the cutoff called a three-bet jam by Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus from the small blind.

Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus: A 6
Arturas Bliudzius: A 10

Despite being behind Sandell-Duus stayed alive and doubled after the 6 4 7 6 9 board improved to trip sixes.

Arturas Bliudzius: 1,250,000
Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus – 370,000

Cashed for €1,300 30.10.2022 21:16 by Jason Glatzer

The following players cashed for €1,300:

PlacePlayerPrize
96Jens Mmab€1,300
97Jos Pieter Ten Have€1,300
98Boris Velev€1,300
99Karl Ioannis Leondis€1,300
100Daniel Buzato De Aquino€1,300
101Sturla Hiller€1,300
102Raimund Geier€1,300
103William Murray Bailie€1,300
104Daniel Kuhlmann€1,300
105Jonathan James Walker€1,300
106Miguel Alonso Avellana€1,300
107Roland Boothby€1,300
108Holm Erdmann€1,300
109David Hodgkins€1,300
110Soner Vanelderen€1,300
111Patrick James Kelliher€1,300
The Jack of Spades Made All the Difference 30.10.2022 21:04 by Jason Glatzer

Level 20: 10,000/20,000 (20,000)
Entries: 100/1,326

Jos ten Have limped from middle position for half his stack. Alberto Cigliano raised to 210,000 with just 15,000 behind. William Mitchell jammed for much more than the other two players from the big blind and both ten Have and Cigliano called off their stacks.

Jos ten Have: 9 9
Alberto Cigliano: A J
William Mitchell: A J

Normally ten Have would be in a good spot and Cigliano and Mitchell would be chopping at least a side pot if not the main pot as well. However, four spades ran out on the Q 2 5 5 4 board to improve Cigliano to the nut-flush to win both the main and side pots.

Albert Cigliano – 540,000
William Mitchell – 325,000
Jos ten Have – 0

Players Back from Dinner Break 30.10.2022 20:53 by Jason Glatzer

The Grand Event has resumed with players back from dinner break.

More Day 2 Photos 30.10.2022 20:29 by Jason Glatzer
Dinner Break 30.10.2022 19:34 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on a 75-minute dinner break. We will update some of the biggest stacks around the room near the tail-end of the break.

End of the Line for Lind and Ceballos 30.10.2022 19:27 by Jason Glatzer

Level 19: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 119/1,326

Guillermo Ceballos jammed for nine big blinds from under the gun with ace-four offsuit. Totti Lind got his stack of 15 big blind with ace-jack suited from middle position. The player in the big blind woke up with jacks and called.

The board ran dry for both Ceballos and Lind and they both hit the rail for a €1,200 cash.

Totti Lind
Totti Lind
Players Exiting with a Min-Cash 30.10.2022 19:17 by Jason Glatzer

Level 19: 8,000/16,000 (16,000)
Entries: 127/1,326

The following players cashed in 128th to 143rd places for a min-cash valued at €1,100. The remaining 127 players laddered up €100 and are guaranteed at least a €1,200 payout.

PlacePlayerPrize
128Giacomo Ferrara€1,100
129Matthew Ross Adams€1,100
130Erik Lars Allan Lindqwist€1,100
131Noel Oliver Studer€1,100
132Skipp Van Den Assem€1,100
133Ronnie Cohen€1,100
134Jorgen Schjetne€1,100
135Tomasz Piotr Brzezinski€1,100
136Hafpor Smari Sigmundsson€1,100
137Aram Mikael Papazian€1,100
138Robrecht Victor Winterink€1,100
139Piotr Rekawiecki€1,100
140Julian Sacco€1,100
141Mikael Andreas Blomvall€1,100
142Erlend Sten Melson€1,100
143Oliver Hutchins€1,100
Matthew Adams
Day 1a Chip Leader Matthew Adams
More Day 2 Photos 30.10.2022 19:05 by Jason Glatzer
Players ITM After Brenden Bubbles Grand Event 30.10.2022 19:01 by Jason Glatzer

Level 18: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 143/1,326

Players are now in the money after Oystein Brenden hit the rail. The hand went down as follows.

Oystein Brenden jammed from middle position for 42,000 and was called by the big-stacked Glen Gaines from the big blind. The floor announced the action after the other tables played out the hands and a big crowd came to Table 3 where the action was taking place.

Oystein Brenden: K J
Glen Gaines: Q 6

As is often the case with a bubble hand, each street was announced with a small pause. It was looking like Brenden’s hand would hold after both the A 2 4 flop and the A turn. However, the 6 came raining down on the river and Brenden has bubbled the MPF Grand Event.

A round of applause took place around the poker rooms along with some high-fives even with this reporter with some of the shorter stacked players. We gave a quick hug to Greece’s Ioannis Aslanidis who began the day with a big stack but had 180,000 by the time the bubble came around. It is difficult not to get caught up with the excitement.

Congrats to the remaining field of 143 players! You are each in the money for €1,100 with more to come if you are able to run deeper. Best of luck!

Oystein Brenden
Oystein Brenden
Bubble Nearby 30.10.2022 18:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 18: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 149/1,326

There are just 149 players remaining in the Grand Event. This means the bubble is approaching as 143 players are set to make at least a €1,100 min-cash.

There may be a small delay in the coverage as we want to do our best to capture the bubble hand. Best of luck to all of the remaining players in getting into the money.

mpf-1085
“The Fish That Got Lucky” 30.10.2022 18:15 by Jason Glatzer

Level 18: 6,000/12,000 (12,000)
Entries: 155/1,326

Lately, it appears that Sascha Manns is on a big final table whenever we travel to the same stops. Maybe the same will happen at the MPF Grand Event as well as he already has 875,000 in chips from his Day 2 starting stack of 368,000.

Manns shared a hand that just happened at the laughter of Joseph Grech and to the dismay of Maltese resident Soner Vanelderen. The hand began with Christian Kempf jamming the button for 135,000. Manns three-bet jammed from the small blind his big stack and Vanelderen folded from the big blind.

“We aren’t talking about that hand,” Vanelderen added at this point in the story.

Manns had fives and won a flip to eliminate Kempf short of the money after his opponent bricked the board.

“Can we make the title ‘The fish that got lucky?'” asked local player Joseph Grech, who we also see often when we get the opportunity to visit Malta.

“Of course,” I said before asking Manns if this was kosher.

The banter after this instantly ceased with players going in different directions with the table breaking. Best of luck to Sascha, Soner, and Joseph in their quest for MPF Grand Event gold.

mpf-1076
Jason Glatzer Recaps the MPF Grand Event 30.10.2022 17:59 by Jason Glatzer
Cowboys for Everaerts to Oust Previti 30.10.2022 17:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 17: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 173/1,326

Alfio Previti opened for 35,000 from the hijack and was called by Kristof Everaerts from the cutoff. The action folded around to Antoine Talvard in the big blind.

“How much you playing?” Talvard asked to Everaerts.

After Everaerts showed his stack of around 800,000, Talvard three-bet to 100,000. Previti called off for less before Everaerts four-bet shoved his big stack. Talvard had Everaerts covered and tanked for about 20 seconds before he folded.

Alfio Previti: J 10
Kristof Everaerts: K K

“I had ace-queen,” Talvard said after the players turned over their cards.

Everaerts’ cowboys held on the 6 2 8 9 2 board and his stack grew while sending Previti to the rail short of the money.

Antoine Talvard – 1.1 million
Kristof Everaerts – 1 million
Alfio Previti – 0

Talvard on a Massive Stack 30.10.2022 17:33 by Jason Glatzer

Level 17: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 180/1,326

Antoine Talvard began the day with 135,000 in chips and now is sitting on close to 1.2 million. That is quite the start!

Talvard mentioned that fireworks erupted against a player. Peter de Bruin, who began the day as the chip leader, raised his hand and said: “That’s me.”

Talvard shared that he was involved in a 3-bet pot when he check-raised a flop containing both a jack and a ten. He opened-jammed a blank turn and there was about 1 million in the pot after de Bruin called.

De Bruin had the best preflop hand with pocket aces but was far behind Talvard’s two pair with jack-ten. A blank river completed the board and if Talvard isn’t the chip leader at the moment, he is very close.

Antoine Talvard – 1.2 million
Peter de Bruin – 200,000

CasinoCoin CUP Begins 30.10.2022 17:23 by Jason Glatzer

The CasinoCoin Cup, which boasts a €1,100 buy-in, just kicked off in the same room as the Grand Event.

There are already 41 entries. This figure will grow throughout the day. Among the players in the mix is none-other than MPF founder Ivonne Montealegre.

Best of luck to everyone playing the highest buy-in event at the Malta Poker Festival.

Ivonne Montealegre
Ivonne Montealegre

Photos from Day 2 30.10.2022 17:09 by Jason Glatzer
Chat with Hiller on Break 30.10.2022 17:05 by Jason Glatzer

Level 17: 5,000/10,000 (10,000)
Entries: 189/1,326

We had the opportunity to chat with Norway Sturla Hiller on the break. Hiller shared he was on 385,000 in chips, which is more than double the 174,000 he began the day with. He was as high as 450,000 in chips at one point as well but still has a more-than-healthy stack.

Hiller shared that an opponent three-bet jammed for 150,000 with ace-queen and he made the easy call with aces. No miracle came for his opponent and the rest was history.

Good luck, Sturla the rest of the way in the MPF Grand Event.

Time to Stretch 30.10.2022 16:34 by Jason Glatzer

Day 2 players are on their first break of the day. Blinds will increase to 5,000/10,000 with a big blind ante of 10,000 when the action resumes.

“Someone Just Gave Me 250K” 30.10.2022 16:31 by Jason Glatzer

Level 16: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 205/1,326

Leon Campbell is another player sitting on a lot more chips than he began the day with. Campbell came into Day 2 after bagging 214,000 in chips and now has about 750,000.

We asked Campbell if there were any notable hands to get him to where he was.

“Someone just gave me 250K,” Campbell said with a smile.

We asked him to elaborate with some details and he explained that his opponent three-bet jammed for 250,000 with ace-trey suited. Campbell was going nowhere with his cowboys and won a tasty half-million pot after his hand held.

Leon Campbell – 750,000

Gayer Near 1 Million 30.10.2022 16:23 by Jason Glatzer

Level 16: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 213/1,326

France’s Damien Gayer began the day with 311,000 in chips. It has been a good start for Gayer as recently he was witnessed sitting on about 900,000 in chips.

Gayer shared that one big hand he played was with ace-king against queens. The player will queens jammed for about 15 big blinds and Gayer won the flip after he called.

Damien Gayer – 900,000

Damien Gayer
Damien Gayer
Lind on a Roll (For the Most Part) 30.10.2022 16:12 by Jason Glatzer

Level 16: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 223/357

Totti Lind started the day on a rough note and witnessed his 302,000 stack dwindle down to 80,000 after his ace-king suited didn’t win a flip against nines.

Since then, Lind has been on a roll and has around 315,000 in chips.

The Lind rollercoaster may continue but it might be just a ride straight up in the air instead of down and back up against like earlier today.

Totti Lind – 315,000

Totti Lind
Totti Lind
Pazemeckas Off to the CasinoCoin CUP 30.10.2022 15:59 by Jason Glatzer

Level 16: 4,000/8,000 (8,000)
Entries: 243/1,326

Gytis Pazemeckas, who has been crushing events in his home country of Lithuania, had some chips during one of the opening flights but failed to bag in that one. He did eventually find a bag but there wasn’t a plethora of chips inside it.

Pazemeckas shared that he is off to play the €1,100 CasinoCoin CUP at 4 p.m. after losing his stack in the Main Event. In his final hand, he got it in with ace-five and was unable to get there against his opponent’s cowboys.

Sėkmės, Gyti (good luck, Gytis in Lithuanian) in the CasinoCoin CUP and see you around next week at our local casino in Vilnius.

Gytis Pazemeckas
Gytis Pazemeckas
Kyte on the Rail 30.10.2022 15:35 by Jason Glatzer

Level 15: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 268/1,326

Jon Kyte just hit the rail and will take a little break before entering the €1,100 CasinoCoin CUP at 4 p.m.

Kyte shared that he lost most of his stack with ace-king vs. ace-queen. The rest went in with jack-eight against ace-jack.

We wish Kyte the best of luck in the CasinoCoin CUP.

Jon Kyte
Jon Kyte
Tsakas Runs Into a Full House after Five Minute Tank 30.10.2022 15:24 by Jason Glatzer

Level 15: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 279/1,326

Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus bet 90,000 into a pot of around 140,000 with the 7 J A J 2 on the board.

Stavros Tsakas tanked for about five minutes before a player called time. The floor came over and the count was down to just two seconds when Tsakas made the call. Sandell-Duus turned over A J for a full house and was awarded the pot after Tsakas mucked his cards.

Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus – 440,000
Stavros Tsakas – 210,000

Tens Good for Vella 30.10.2022 15:18 by Jason Glatzer

Level 15: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 282/1,326

Gaetano Castagnolo opened for 12,000 from early position. Mark Vella three-bet jammed for 111,000 from late position.

Castagnolo asked if his opponent spoke Italian (he did it in Italian). Vella remained silent and Castagnolo eventually called with just a few more chips in his hand.

Mark Vella: 10 10
Gaetano Castagnolo: A Q

The local hero Vella won the flip after his opponent bricked the 3 3 4 5 5 double-paired board and Castagnolo was left with crumbs in his stack.

Mark Vella – 237,000
Gaetano Castagnolo – 8,000

Schuurbiers on the Rail 30.10.2022 15:06 by Jason Glatzer

Level 15: 3,000/6,000 (6,000)
Entries: 297/1,326

Wouter Schuurbiers is off to play some mixed games which will start on the casino floor at 3 p.m.

He shared that he got his short stack in with ace-jack with a three-bet jam for about 12 big blinds and didn’t get there against his opponent’s queens.

We wish Schuurbiers better luck with the mixed games. Who knows, maybe we will also see him in the €1,100 CasinoCoin CUP beginning at 4 p.m. A hyper-turbo satellite just began for that event as well costing just €150!

Also, check out a podcast we did with Schuurbiers after the Spring Edition of the Malta Poker Festival by clicking on the image below.

on the road with PokerListings Jason Glatzer Wouter Schuurbier
On the Road with PokerListings by Jason Glatzer with Wouter Schuurbiers

Wouter Schuurbiers – 0

Early Day 2 Photos of Big Stacks 30.10.2022 14:58 by Jason Glatzer
Da Silva Ousts Redemo 30.10.2022 14:48 by Jason Glatzer

Level 14: 3,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 315/1,326

Petter Redemo squeezed his 12 big blinds and was called by Chris Da Silva, who originally opened the pot. Another player folded and Redemo was flipping for his tournament life.

Petter Redemo: Ace-Ten
Chris Da Silva: Sixes

The board was all blanks for Redemo and he became one of the players on the rail during the first blind level of Day 2.

As a side fact, Da Silva was on the podium during the last MPF Grand Event in the Spring. He is hoping to do even better than his third-place result from last time around and is on his way to do so.

Chris Da Silva – 360,000
Petter Redemo – 0

De Bruin’s Stack Takes a Hit 30.10.2022 14:36 by Jason Glatzer

Level 14: 3,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 326/1,326

Peter de Bruin came into Day 2 with the chip lead. He is no longer the chip leader but does have a big stack still. He lost some chips in the following hand to Vincenzo Pellegrino.

Pellegrino bet 55,000 into a pot of a bit more with the 9 2 2 7 J on the board. De Bruin tanked for a couple of minutes before he called.

Pellegrino turned over J 9 for top two pair.

“Nice river,” de Bruin said as he was mucking his cards.

Peter de Bruin – 500,000
Vincenzo Pellegrino – 375,000

Flush for Cohen 30.10.2022 14:26 by Jason Glatzer

Level 14: 3,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 337/1,326

About 20 players have already hit the rail in the opening moments of Day 2. Yossef Cohen wasn’t one of them as his stack went in the opposite direction and shared how it all went down.

Gianmarco Pagliaro opened for 33,000 from the button and Cohen called from the big blind. Cohen led out for 45,000 on the 10 7 4 flop and Pagliaro called. Pagliaro then called bets of 75,000 on the 2 turn and for 65,000 on the 4 river.

Cohen tabled a flush to win a big pot early on Day 2.

Yossef Cohen – 539,000
Gianmarco Pagliaro – 180,000

Payouts Announced 30.10.2022 14:17 by Jason Glatzer

The payouts have been announced and tomorrow’s winner will go home with a whopping top prize of €145,000 for more than double what Daniel Lakerveld collected after winning the MPF Spring Edition Grand Event in May.

The top 143 players will each go home with at least a min-cash of €1,100 for exactly double the €550 buy-in.

PlacePrize
1€145,000
2€89,000
3€57,000
4€35,000
5€25,000
6€18,000
7€13,000
8€9,000
9€5,990
10-12€4,330
13-15€3,500
16-23€3,000
24-31€2,700
32-39€2,400
40-47€2,100
48-63€1,800
64-79€1,600
80-95€1,400
96-111€1,300
112-127€1,200
128-143€1,100
Day 2 Begins 30.10.2022 14:08 by Jason Glatzer

Level 14: 3,000/5,000 (5,000)
Entries: 357/1,326

Cards are now in the air for Day 2. Best of luck to everyone battling it out! May the short stacks spin up and the big stacks continue to grow.

CasinoCoin Cup Starts at 4 p.m. (Satellite at 2 p.m.) 30.10.2022 13:44 by Jason Glatzer

For those of you that haven’t bagged into the Main Event, you will be pleased to learn that there is a €150 hyper-turbo satellite at 2 p.m. for the €1,100 CasinoCoin CUP.

The CasinoCoin CUP has tons of added value including there being a €1,000 bounty on the head of MPF founder Ivonne Montealegre.

In addition, all final table players will get a funded crypto-wallet.

Head to the MPF CasinoCoin CUP landing page for more information and best of luck to everyone entering this event.

Ivonne Montealegre
MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre
Peter de Bruin Leads the Final 357 Players in the MPF Grand Event 30.10.2022 13:33 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer

Welcome back to our coverage of the 2022 MPF Autumn Edition €550 Grand Event powered by partypoker at the luxurious Portomaso Casino.

After five opening flights over the past four days, the Grand Event has progressed to its penultimate day with 357 players ready to battle it out in hopes of making the money and beyond.

Peter de Bruin leads the pack with a massive stack of 690,000 in chips when Day 2 begins at 1 p.m. after bagging the Day 1d chip lead. Just behind him is Matthew Adams, who also bagged a big stack on Day 1d and will start today with 629,000 in chips. The Day 1e chip leader Alessandro La Cava was the Day 1e chip leader yesterday and isn’t too far behind Adams with 591,000 in chips.

Matthew Adams
Matthew Adams

Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

PlacePlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Peter de Bruin690,000138
2Matthew Adams629,000126
3Alessandro La Cava591,000118
4Bo Bjork549,000110
5Anastasios Apostolou539,000108
6Daniel Taylor519,000104
7Oscar Arezzo510,000102
8Domenico Desimone507,000101
9Ahmed Ibrahimi503,000101
10Johannes Erfurth500,000100

Grand Event by the Numbers

The Grand Event attracted 1,326 entries with 357 Day 2 survivors. This generated a massive €636,480 prize pool to smash the event’s €500,000 guarantee.

Here is a look at some of the figures from the opening flights:

FlightEntriesSurvivorsChip LeaderChipsBig BlindsAvg.Avg. BB’s
Day 1a             205                47 Daniel Taylor       517,000              103        218,085                44 
Day 1b             256                67 Anastasios Apostolou       539,000              108        191,045                38 
Day 1c             321                88 Oscar Arezzo       722,000              144        182,386                36 
Day 1d             414              122 Peter de Bruin       690,000              138        169,672                34 
Day 1e             130                33 Alessandro La Cava       591,000              118        196,970                39 
Total          1,326              357        185,714                37 

Day 2 will kick off with blinds at 3,000/5,000 with a big blind ante of 5,000. Blinds will increase every 50 minutes instead of every 40 minutes (or 20 minutes for the turbo flight) giving players more time to make the correct decisions.

The fluid plan for Day 2 is to play either 13 or 14 blind levels. This is subject to change and the MPF tournament director Danilo De Berardinis informed PokerListings that he will announce the structure of the day before the dinner break updated plan.

Best of luck to everyone playing. Cards are in the air at 1 p.m. CEST. Stay tuned at PokerListings for all of your updates on the MPF Grand Event.

Day 2 Seat Draw (Tables 41-45) 30.10.2022 12:55 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
411Biagio Sereno150,00030
412Craig Lee Rose111,00022
413Oscar Arezzo510,000102
414Soner Vanelderen300,00060
415Edvaldas Skyrius73,00015
416Gary Whitehead186,00037
417Sebastian Dominik Rebhan243,00049
418Francis Yvan R Vandendriessche105,00021
421Nicolas Sebastien Maillaud100,00020
422Steven Donald Smart154,00031
423Yvonne Hilser150,00030
424Anne-Marie A W L Yuen169,00034
425Franco Arlotta106,00021
426Konrad Jakub Kedrzycki220,00044
427Stavros Tsakas450,00090
428Domenico Tortomasi144,00029
431Mathis Bouledin295,00059
432Christoph Moller169,00034
433Salvatore Ritrovato90,00018
435Vittorio Vignola87,00017
436Cosimo De Gennaro129,00026
437Alkan Aydingoz66,00013
438Lorenzo Pino73,00015
441Tomasz Kolewczynski407,00081
443Raoul Sebastiaan Van Wersch206,00041
444Alessandro Pichierri330,00066
445Elsje Paula J Vansteenkiste272,00054
446Hassan Halil170,00034
447Martin Ganghev86,00017
448Marius Olsvik93,00019
451Dirk Hedrich160,00032
452Lawrence Stone135,00027
453Angelo Vietti86,00017
454Marc Brazier226,00045
456Roland Arthur Roland157,00031
457Johannes Erfurth500,000100
458Mario Basile258,00052
Day 2 Seat Draw (Tables 36-40) 30.10.2022 12:53 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
361Salvatrice D’Urso199,00040
362David Hodgkins92,00018
363Daniel Mountford128,00026
364Vincenzo Pellegrino257,00051
365Tugce Hallner98,00020
366Peter De Bruin690,000138
367Jens Maass399,00080
368Jose Manuel Garcia Ferrandez120,00024
371Glen Gaines138,00028
372Domenico Desimone507,000101
373Patrick James Kelliher65,00013
374Rouhin Arian210,00042
375Tom Henry Jean Delaine216,00043
376Giuseppe Luigi Tedesco274,00055
377Mario Stancati81,00016
378Ioannis Aslanidis457,00091
381Bjarke Matthiesen339,00068
382Erik Lars Allan Lindqwist141,00028
383Juliane Aram Papazian124,00025
384Adrian Clegg116,00023
385Hafpor Smari Sigmundsson285,00057
386Shimon Shay Hagay91,00018
387Sven-Ingvar Carlsson141,00028
388Alessandro Spata153,00031
391Stephane Gabriel Poisson137,00027
392Pasquale Delli Santi156,00031
393Bengt Fredric Hallner300,00060
394Rimko Meijer166,00033
395Florian Andre Jean Ribouchon191,00038
396Vincenzo Antonio Scarpitti120,00024
397Dean Perry147,00029
398Luigi Noli72,00014
401Robrecht Victor Winterink86,00017
402Christian Kempf242,00048
403Oystein Brenden222,00044
404Andrea Izzo193,00039
405Paul Phillip Malin30,0006
406Alfio Previti64,00013
407Dario Marinelli273,00055
408Johannes Antonius Grootelaar95,00019
Day 2 Seat Draw (Tables 31-35) 30.10.2022 12:52 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
311Mirko Antonino Mostaccio213,00043
312Giuseppe Grupposo206,00041
313Cory Dean Desmond105,00021
314Jesse Henrik Liljegren108,00022
315Patrick Wulf112,00022
316Linda Susan Mc Cabe141,00028
317John Nigel Bennett Pogue176,00035
318Deividas Butnoras228,00046
321Geir Berland145,00029
322Vincent Keen143,00029
323Pavle Pecelj177,00035
324Noel Oliver Studer97,00019
325Goos Terschegget175,00035
326Jean Ruche281,00056
327Salvatore Motta211,00042
328Caroline Schallock166,00033
331Sean Hopkin57,00011
332Chris Yiallourou156,00031
333Alexander John Maskell308,00062
334Gaetano Brignone109,00022
335Alessandro Santini406,00081
336Andrew Borg Manduca228,00046
337Angelo Mirabella283,00057
338Juan Andres Moreno Rodriguez63,00013
341Vincent Ranjeva115,00023
342Biagio Torrisi196,00039
343Carl Petter Alexander Redemo90,00018
344Domenico Gala108,00022
345Jonathan James Walker114,00023
346Atilla Souren114,00023
347Christopher Ayojide Da Silva Oduntan263,00053
348Gytis Pazemeckas125,00025
351Jerome Moreau291,00058
352Tsvi Cohen106,00021
353Barry Oliver Smyth129,00026
354Jose Vicente Garcia Chaques223,00045
355Thomas Tallaksen Langeland178,00036
356Hu Siyuan132,00026
357Steven Smith215,00043
358Gabriele Re65,00013
Day 2 Seat Draw (Tables 26-30) 30.10.2022 12:51 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
261Evaldas Burokas131,00026
262Ruggiero Valente196,00039
263Mirko Lienhard122,00024
264Lukas Dominik Renz88,00018
265Giulio Antonio Spampinato280,00056
266Krzyztof Piotr Otlik142,00028
267Christian Arstad215,00043
268Stefan Lurz113,00023
271Jan Moller Jensen240,00048
272Alessandro La Cava591,000118
273Martyn Andrew Frey191,00038
274Kristof Everaerts155,00031
275Matthias Uwe330,00066
276Zlatan Needyalkov Penev465,00093
277Paolo Pinazzo206,00041
278Charlie Reed118,00024
281Damien Sylvain Gayer311,00062
282Nikolaos Paparis174,00035
283James Browne151,00030
284Julian Sacco194,00039
285Daniele Degennaro94,00019
286Quentin Roussey417,00083
287Tommy Roger Lievens60,00012
288Fabian Bartuschk129,00026
291Antonije Pehcevski67,00013
292Nicola Paviglianiti90,00018
293Concetto Pirri141,00028
294Hendrik Remmerde210,00042
295Florian Adrien Gouguet445,00089
296Alejandro Manzano Gambin135,00027
297Fredrik Kristiansen61,00012
298Koen Meutstege307,00061
301Ahmed Ibrahimi503,000101
302Robert Tahirovic176,00035
303Davide Iannaco387,00077
304Serdar Demircan130,00026
305Raphael Toledo153,00031
306Domenico D Isanto99,00020
307Francis Roger J Callens157,00031
308Bojan Jacovic59,00012
Day 2 Seat Draw (Tables 21-25) 30.10.2022 12:50 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
211Paolo Rando251,00050
212Thomas Samuelsen Harnes131,00026
213Karl Heinz Dieter Metz166,00033
214Joseph Grech190,00038
215Hakan Uzun161,00032
216Torgeir Hagmann65,00013
217Thomas Mark Shields116,00023
218Gianluigi Giuliani57,00011
221Daniel Buzato De Aquino306,00061
222Ingvill Jayanthi Nilsen197,00039
223Julien Floreal Laudat202,00040
224Renato Messina127,00025
225Timothe Gustave Tanguy Busso Masson422,00084
226Antonio Lancellotta67,00013
227Ronnie Cohen193,00039
228Jos Ten Have319,00064
231Abdulelah Habibi56,00011
232Erlend Sten Melsom160,00032
233Antonpietro Dettori65,00013
234Antoine Jeremy Talvard135,00027
235Pierre Andre Sebastien Drochon136,00027
236Daniel Ivar Aberg76,00015
237Jon Kristian Kyte221,00044
238Clement Jean-Michel Haro129,00026
241Philip Roberts67,00013
242Johan Nils Torp137,00027
243Giovanni Ventura178,00036
244Pim Wilgenburg110,00022
245Simone Lombardo93,00019
246Antonio Gassiraro162,00032
247Guillermo Alejandro Giner Ceballos359,00072
248Adrien Paul Raymond Gautier78,00016
251Matthias Samuel Hungerbuehler126,00025
252Riku Aleksi Maatta20,0004
253Sascha Manns368,00074
254Tobias Holmeide167,00033
255Stephen Finlay109,00022
256Salvatore Amitrano106,00021
257Karmel Varas Tierro57,50012
258Grzegorz Skawinski115,00023

Day 2 Seat Draw (Tables 16-20) 30.10.2022 12:48 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
161Shukri Saliba Shukri Mushahwar164,00033
162Jeff Cannon221,00044
163Emanuele Pani201,00040
164Lars Stefan Alvetjarn325,00065
165Tobias Matuschek183,00037
166Drago Calogero149,00030
167Orazio Pellegrino221,00044
168Tsouloftas Georgios67,00013
171Bo Johasn Torsten Bjork549,000110
172Matthew Ross Adams629,000126
173Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo206,00041
174Dario Barone203,00041
175Edgaras Petkevicius49,00010
176Thomas Wilshaw210,00042
177Mike Georges Alonso137,00027
178Sturla Hiller174,00035
181Cornelis Peter Vreugdenhill277,00055
182Nicodemo Piccolo127,00025
183Johann Muhlbauer102,00020
184Boris Velev351,00070
185Giovanni Martino69,00014
186Jeoffrey Duytschaever105,00021
187Luca Iannizzotto356,00071
188Susan Helen O’Connor53,00011
191Georg Kerschbaumer93,00019
192Anastasios Apostolou539,000108
193Geoffrey Desclee30,0006
194Martin Kirchbaumer67,00013
195Arturas Dauksevic101,00020
196Giulio Di Salvo107,00021
197Mark Lee James Duguid292,00058
198Xuan Thi Thu Nguyen163,00033
201Giovanni Gaggia127,00025
202Mario Musacchia135,00027
203Romain Patrick Sebastien Nardin156,00031
204Ugo Giuseppe Gasparini72,00014
205Kevin Ralph Price79,00016
206William Sylvain Gritz138,00028
207William Murray Bailie484,00097
208Oliver John Moses Said184,00037
Day 2 Seat Draw (Tables 11-15) 30.10.2022 12:47 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
111Jorgen Schjetne180,00036
112Emanuele Onnis441,00088
113Damir Savio111,00022
114Teemu Eemil Hietala124,00025
115Alberto Ricco Galluzzo89,00018
116Salvatore Di Dio199,00040
117Francesco Aru90,00018
118Skipp Van Den Assem197,00039
121Paul Richard Maguire186,00037
122Tomasz Piotr Brzezinski251,00050
123Bart Joanna J Maes139,00028
124Robert Schanemann132,00026
125Luigi D’Alterio167,00033
126Daniel Chocron Gonzalez497,00099
127William Folwell174,00035
128Martin Piik250,00050
131Alberto Cigliano206,00041
132William Peter Mitchell263,00053
133Birger Strand201,00040
134Corentin Jean-Yves Alain Viaud172,00034
135Jim Alm-Odeen55,00011
136Carlos Antonio Juan Martin90,00018
137Agustin Bellido Romero66,00013
138Thomas Jake Robinson50,00010
141Roberto Zuffo83,00017
142Victor Bedy120,00024
143Angelo Censabella204,00041
144Dieter Aebi128,00026
145Harald Engleder79,00016
146Minh-Ho Dennis Tran359,00072
147Pierre Jean Roger Jeffredo127,00025
148Sergio Gandolfo187,00037
151Michal Maciej Zagrodnik165,00033
152Federico Galati Giordano253,00051
153Agostino Catanese71,00014
154Leon James Campbell214,00043
155Arturas Bliudzius377,00075
156Ted Johansson294,00059
157Kyle William Jeffrey114,00023
158Daniel Kuhlmann118,00024
Day 2 Seat Draw Tables (6-10) 30.10.2022 12:46 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
61Wouter Schuurbiers78,00016
62Liam Paul Hamilton142,00028
63Alessandro Forleo121,00024
64Daniel Taylor519,000104
65Andrea Claudia Kapp84,00017
66Bruno Crucitti100,00020
67Robert A Perelman198,00040
68Raimund Geier196,00039
71Kolade Charles Akadiri375,00075
72Simone Raffaele Maglianella164,00033
73Uwe Schreiber144,00029
74Tomas Molcan273,00055
75Javier Simeon Gallego Leon200,00040
76Jeppe Bisgaard189,00038
77Shanmugasundaram Jeyamohan200,00040
78Alain Pujol139,00028
81Gruselle Loic92,00018
82Paiman Sakhi84,00017
83Ivar Bruvoll Vamrak111,00022
84Nick Leonard J Forrez272,00054
85Piotr Rekawiecki154,00031
86Samuel Dray114,00023
87Daniel Filipe Pereira Henriques203,00041
88Cherly Simmons109,00022
91Andrew Cutajar133,00027
92Giacomo Ferrara152,00030
93Esref Govsa84,00017
94Leonidas Vogiatzoglou235,00047
95Nicko Michel Christensen283,00057
96Adalberto Enzo Maritno Orrigo106,00021
97Oliver Hutchins224,00045
98Pierre Christiaens99,00020
101Raimondo Marcello228,00046
102Per Christian Westermark119,00024
103Raf De Wever371,00074
104Andrea Raugi340,00068
105Fabrizio Cocco73,00015
106Holm Manfred Erdmann73,00015
107James Mercieca161,00032
108Lukas Lange55,00011
Day 2 Seat Draw Tables 1-5 30.10.2022 12:44 by Jason Glatzer
TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
11Per-Eirik Koi90,00018
12Jens Lauritz Sandell-Duus305,00061
13Miguel Alonso Avellana97,00019
14Andrea Stellato173,00035
15Igor Piotr Melcer122,00024
16Andreas Svensson Birkeland75,00015
17Francesco Squillaci100,00020
18James Michael Clarke489,00098
21Mark Anthony Vella171,00034
22Yossef Cohen319,00064
23Kyle Pullicino150,00030
24Volker Markus David Blohs131,00026
25Daniel Knote177,00035
26Roland Chadi Alakji192,00038
27Gaetano Montagno Castagnolo76,00015
28Gianmarco Pagliaro405,00081
31Milo Zandi75,00015
32Eljano Hysaj143,00029
33Daniel M Lakerveld364,00073
34Karl Staffan Lind497,00099
35Leonid Spielmann74,00015
36Leanddro Cataldo140,00028
37Karl Ioannis Leondis173,00035
38Michael Lee Stewart151,00030
41Kevin David Houghton250,00050
42Tom Deschuytter164,00033
43Bruce Shannon341,00068
44Mike Mikael Blomvall205,00041
45Robert Rohr217,00043
46Samuele Mercante228,00046
47Jerry Evald Niklas Johansson91,00018
48Mark Cousin142,00028
51Omar Nafti133,00027
52Rodolphe Gauthier50,00010
53Massimo Bruno91,00018
54Sylvere Felix Paillot191,00038
55Per Helge Gaassand166,00033
56Jonathan Paul Andre Pastore178,00036
57Alastair James Franklin89,00018
58Thomas Erik Lind302,00060
Final Day 1e Chip Counts 30.10.2022 12:09 by Jason Glatzer

The turbo Day 1e flight attracted 130 entries with 33 players surviving. Alessandro La Cava (591,000) and Bo Bjork (549,000) each bagged more than half a million from Day 1e, while notable players Jon Kyte (221,000) and Leon Campbell (214,000) also advanced with healthy stacks. Here is a look at all of the chip counts.

PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Alessandro La Cava591,000118
Bo Bjork549,000110
Florian Gouguet445,00089
Minh-Ho Dennis Tran359,00072
Bengt Hallner300,00060
Nicko Christensen283,00057
Angelo Mirabella283,00057
Paolo Rando251,00050
Jon Kyte221,00044
Leon Campbell214,00043
Mirko Mostaccio213,00043
Mikael Blomvall205,00041
Raimund Geier196,00039
Biagio Torrisi196,00039
Joseph Grech190,00038
Luigi D’Alterio167,00033
Tobias Holmeide167,00033
Rimko Meijer166,00033
Pasquale Delli Santi156,00031
Vincent Keen143,00029
Concetto Pirri141,00028
William Sylvain Gritz138,00028
Andrew Cutajar133,00027
Nicodemo Piccolo127,00025
Victor Bedy120,00024
Domenico D Isanto99,00020
Daniele Degennaro94,00019
Alberto Galluzzo89,00018
Andreas Birkeland75,00015
Karmel Tierro57,50012
Sean Hopkin57,00011
Abdulelah Habibi56,00011
Riku Maatta20,0004
Final Day 1d Chip Counts 30.10.2022 03:02 by Jason Glatzer

The Day 1d field attracted 414 entries with 122 players bagging chips into tomorrow’s Day 2. Peter de Bruin bagged the overall chip lead after finishing the day with 690,000 in chips with Matthew Adams with 629,000. Both these players bagged more than the previous overall chip leader in Anastasios Apostolou who bagged 539,000 on Day 1b.

We will hold off on the recap for now as Day 1e still has 49 players remaining and will play down to 34 players before that flight is over. After the chip counts, we will also have the Day 2 seat draw available. Depending on how late it goes, this one-man team might already be getting some rest before the end run of the event over the next two days.

Thank you for tuning into the coverage and have a good night.

PlayersChipsBig Blinds
Peter De Bruin690,000138
Matthew Adams629,000126
Domenico Desimone507,000101
Daniel Gonzalez497,00099
William Murray Bailie484,00097
Quentin Roussey417,00083
Kolade Akadiri375,00075
Boris Velev351,00070
Andrea Raugi340,00068
Jos Ten Have319,00064
Alexander Maskell308,00062
Totti Lind302,00060
Mark Duguid292,00058
Hafpor Sigmundsson285,00057
Giuseppe Tedesco274,00055
Tomas Molcan273,00055
Elsje Vansteenkiste272,00054
William Mitchell263,00053
Basile Mario258,00052
Vincenzo Pellegrino257,00051
Raimondo Marcello228,00046
Samuele Mercante228,00046
Oystein Brenden222,00044
Konrad Kedrzycki220,00044
Salvatore Motta211,00042
Hendrik Remmerde210,00042
Alberto Cigliano206,00041
Paolo Pinazzo206,00041
Julien Laudat202,00040
Emanuele Pani201,00040
Javier Leon200,00040
Salvatore Di Dio199,00040
Salvartrice D’Urso199,00040
Ruggiero Valente196,00039
Andrea Izzo193,00039
Paul Maguire186,00037
Gary Whitehead186,00037
Tobias Matuschek183,00037
William Folwell174,00035
Sturla Hiller174,00035
Karl Leondis173,00035
Hassan Halil170,00034
Christoph Moller169,00034
Caroline Schallock166,00033
Simone Maglianella164,00033
Xuan Thi Thu Nguyen163,00033
Dirk Hedrich160,00032
Francis Callens157,00031
Chris Yiallourou156,00031
Kristof Everaerts155,00031
James Browne151,00030
Michael Stewart151,00030
Biagio Sereno150,00030
Drago Calogero149,00030
Geir Berland145,00029
Eljano Hysaj143,00029
Liam Paul Hamilton142,00028
Leanddro Cataldo140,00028
Pierre Drochon136,00027
Lawrence Stone135,00027
Omar Nafti133,00027
Hu Siyuan132,00026
Evaldas Burokas131,00026
Fabian Bartuschk129,00026
Cosimo De Gennaro129,00026
Clement Haro129,00026
Giovanni Gaggia127,00025
Renato Messina127,00025
Matthias Hungerbuehler126,00025
Gytis Pazemeckas125,00025
Teemu Hietala124,00025
Mirko Lienhard122,00024
Alessandro Forleo121,00024
Per Westermark119,00024
Charlie Reed118,00024
Adrian Clegg116,00023
Vincent Ranjeva115,00023
Kyle Jeffrey114,00023
Atilla Souren114,00023
Stefan Lurz113,00023
Damir Savio111,00022
Stephen Finlay109,00022
Domenico Gala108,00022
Jesse Liljegren108,00022
Giulio Di Salvo107,00021
Salvatore Amitrano106,00021
Adalberto Orrigo106,00021
Cory Dean Desmond105,00021
Francis Vandendriessche105,00021
Bruno Crucitti100,00020
Francesco Squillaci100,00020
Miguel Avellana97,00019
Noel Studer97,00019
Johannes Grootelaar95,00019
Georg Kerschbaumer93,00019
Simone Lombardo93,00019
David Hodgkins92,00018
Massimo Bruno91,00018
Shimon Hagay91,00018
Carlos Martin90,00018
Nicola Paviglianiti90,00018
Salvatore Ritrovato90,00018
Alastair Franklin89,00018
Vittorio Vignola87,00017
Esref Govsa84,00017
Paiman Sakhi84,00017
Harald Engleder79,00016
Adrien Gautier78,00016
Gaetano Castagnolo76,00015
Ugo Gasparini72,00014
Luigi Noli72,00014
Agostino Catanese71,00014
Giovanni Martino69,00014
Tsouloftas Georgios67,00013
Antonije Pehcevski67,00013
Philip Roberts67,00013
Alkan Aydingoz66,00013
Agustin Romero66,00013
Antopietro Dettori65,00013
Patrick Kelliher65,00013
Alfio Previti64,00013
Edgaras Petkevicius49,00010
Day 1d Players Bagging and Tagging 30.10.2022 01:00 by Jason Glatzer

“Bag it, tag it, sell it to the butcher in the store,” is a fun lyric by the band Phish in the song Reba.

There may not be a butcher in the store, but Day 1d players are bagging their stacks into Day 2.

It might be an hour or so before the chip counts are ready due to the volume of players that bagged chips and the fact that the tournament staff is also busy running the turbo Day 1e.

The Day 1e flight also just ended late registration with 130 entries. This brings the total field size up to 1,326 entries for a huge €636,480 prize pool to smash the €500,000 guarantee slapped on the event.

If the Day 1e flight ends while we are still awake, we will post the chip counts for that flight tonight as well. But it is more likely that this will be posted before noon tomorrow along with the seat draw.

Dolenz Out with Big Slick 30.10.2022 00:37 by Jason Glatzer

Level 13: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 130/414

Marco Dolenz three-bet jammed the button for six big blinds and was called by Matthias Hungerbuehler from the hijack and by Leandro Cataldo from the cutoff.

Hungerbuehler jammed the 8 6 4 flop for about 70,000 and Cataldo snap-folded.

Marco Dolenz: A K
Matthias Hungerbuehler: A 8

Dolenz was ahead when he got his chips in but was down to three outs plus a runner-runner to a chop. Neither the 5 turn nor the 10 river helped Dolenz and he hit the rail during the final blind level of Day 1d.

Matthias Hungerbeuhler – 100,000
Marco Dolenz – 0

Final Day 1d Blind Level Begins 30.10.2022 00:18 by Jason Glatzer

Level 13: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 142/414

The final blind level of Day 1d has just kicked off with blinds at 2,000/4,000 along with a big blind ante of 4,000.

Players that survive this blind level will bag chips into tomorrow’s Day 2.

Meanwhile, the turbo Day 1e is up to 116 entries and counting. There is a little more than a blind level of late registration but that doesn’t mean this figure won’t grow as it is the last chance for players to find a bag into Day 2. Jon Kyte and Leon Campbell are battling it out and sharing some banter at one of the tables in the turbo flight. We wish them the best of luck!

Totti with Some Chips 30.10.2022 00:07 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 150/414

Totti Lind has been lately crushing wherever he goes. However, he hasn’t had luck in Malta where at times he calls his home. That looks like it is about to change as he is now sitting on a healthy stack.

In a recent hand, Lind opened for 6,000 from middle position before Samuele Mercante three-bet to 16,000 from the seat next to him. It folded back around to Lind and he opted to call.

Lind checked the J 10 4 flop. Mercante fired out for 18,000 and went into the tank for a few minutes after Lind check-raised to 135,000 which covered the majority of Mercante’s stack.

He was staring down Lind and eventually opted to fold.

Totti Lind – 260,000
Samuele Mercante – 160,000

Totti Lind
Totti Lind
Rodriguez Didn’t Get his Ten 29.10.2022 23:50 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 164/414

Scott Rodriguez jammed for 57,000 from middle position and was called by Giuseppe Tedeschi from one seat to the left.

Scott Rodriguez: K J
Giuseppe Tedeschi: J J

“I have overs,” Rodriguez said optimistically.

“You have an over,” Tedeschi corrected.

It was looking grim for Rodriguez after Tedeschi, who was already ahead, improved to a set of jacks after the J Q 2 flop.

“Ten,” asked Rodriguez.

A ten didn’t come by Rodriguez was still alive with four outs after the 9 landed on the turn.

“Ten, ten, ten,” Rodriguez repeated.

Unfortunately for Rodriguez, he didn’t get his ten. Instead, the 7 completed the board on the river and Rodriguez’s Day 1d run was over.

“Good game,” Rodriguez said after the hand.

Giuseppe Tedeschi – 300,000
Scott Rodriguez – 0

Final Day 1d Break 29.10.2022 23:21 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on their final Day 1d break. Two more blind levels will be played on Day 1d before players bag chips.

Photos from the APAT Maltese Championship 29.10.2022 23:10 by Jason Glatzer
Lombardo Doubles Through Laudet 29.10.2022 22:58 by Jason Glatzer

Level 11: 1,500/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 188/414

The hand began simply enough with Jan Nagler limping from middle position. Simone Lombardo jammed for 29,000 from the cutoff before Julien Laudet four-bet shoved for 106,000 from the button.

Nagler went into the tank for several minutes during which time he asked for a count of Laudet’s stack before he folded. He predicted ace-seven for Lombardo and ace-ten for Laudet. He was correct about Laudet but a little bit off about Lombardo.

Simone Lombardo: A Q
Julien Laudet: A 10

The 4 7 5 9 A board gave both players a pair of aces. Lombardo’s queen kicker came into play and he doubled through Laudet instead of hitting the rail.

Julien Laudet – 79,000
Simone Lombardo – 66,000

Brenden Wins Big Pot and Eliminates Wiesebrock with Fours 29.10.2022 22:33 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 216/414

Oystein Brenden opened for 5,000 from early position and was called by Damien Wyss from the small blind. Stefan Wiesebrock squeezed his entire stack of 85,000. Brenden came in over the top with a four-bet jam for about 125,000 and Wyss folded.

Stefan Wiesebrock: A Q
Oystein Brenden: 4 4

Wiesebrock already got up after he was drawing very thin after Brenden nailed a set on the 4 7 3 flop. He was drawing dead on the 8 turn but it was Wyss that seemed most upset as he shared to the table that he folded a pair of eights. If that was true, he would have had a better set than Brenden.

Regardless, Wyss wasn’t in the hand and Brenden officially eliminated Wiesebrock after the 3 river completed the board.

Oystein Brenden – 220,000
Stefan Wiesebrock – 0

Dalgaard Doubles His Short Stack 29.10.2022 22:17 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 225/414

Soren Dalgaard three-bet jammed for 18,500 and was called by Quentin Roussey, who originally opened.

Soren Dalgaard: A 8
Quentin Roussey: J J

Roussey immediately turned his cards upside down after Dalgaard connected with his ace to pull ahead on the A Q 9 flop. The 7 followed on the turn followed by a blank card on the river and Roussey tossed his hand to the dealer after taking a bad beat to double up Dalgaard. Roussey is still in good shape with a healthy stack as Dalgaard was short on chips before sucking out on his opponent.

Quentin Roussey – 168,000
Soren Dalgaard – 42,000

Day 1e Begins 29.10.2022 22:04 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1e has just kicked off with 49 entries. It was just announced again that the turbo flight won’t necessarily play 13 levels unless by coincidence like the other four opening flights.

Instead, Day 1e will play down to 26% of the field. This figure was determined based on the average number of survivors from the first three opening flights.

Best of luck to all the last-minute players in the Day 1e field in their hunt for a bag into tomorrow’s Day 2.

We won’t be actively covering the turbo flight but will share the final chip counts tonight if it doesn’t end too late or tomorrow morning.

We will also have the seat draw for Day 2 published shortly after that.

Always Nice to Be Jammed into With Quads 29.10.2022 22:00 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 238/414

Matthew Adams is sitting on a stack of about 300,000. We just found out how he got most of those chips.

A player from under the gun opened for 3,000. Adams called from two seats over as did two other players. The original raiser was the first one actively betting after the four-four-jack flop with two hearts and he fired out for 8,000. Adams and another player called.

The original raiser bet 19,000 on a blank turn. Adams jacked it up to 60,000 and the original player jammed for more than the about 130,000 Adams had in his stack. Adams called and was in amazing shape with pocket fours for quads. It was a bit of a cooler for his opponent who held pocket jacks for a full house.

Adams’ opponent didn’t hit his one outer on the river and the rest was history.

Matthew Adams
Matthew Adams
Big Slick No Good for Callens 29.10.2022 21:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 248/414

This author always loves a good chat with Ann-Roos Callens but was disappointed to see her just now on the rail. Her husband, Francis Callens is still alive and kicking in the Day 1d flight, so we wish him the best of luck.

Callens shared that she had about 60,000 when the hand began and that she got her stack in with big slick with a king on the flop. Her opponent had fours and unfortunately for Callens her top pair was drawing to two runners with there also being a four on the flop.

No miracle came for Callens and she shared that her Grand Event experience is over with no plans to enter the turbo flight.

Callens did mention that she would likely be back in action tomorrow for one of the side events. Good luck to Ann-Roos tomorrow in whatever she decides to play.

Ann-Roos Callens
Ann-Roos Callens
Late Registration Closed 29.10.2022 21:35 by Jason Glatzer

Late registration is now closed for Day 1d. The field attracted 414 entries with 258 players remaining. The action will go for five more blind levels before players will bag their chips into tomorrow’s Day 2.

As a reminder, Day 1e has been officially pushed back one hour and is now scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m.

Photos from the Ladies First! Event 29.10.2022 21:18 by Jason Glatzer

The €100 Ladies First! event hosted by Katie Swift has been a massive success with 100 entries getting into the mix. There are just 18 players left in hopes to win the €2,500 top prize. The top 10 players will go home with at least €250, which means the bubble will approach soon enough.

Here is a look at the photos by Fiore Capuano of the Ladies First! event.

Time to Stretch Your Legs 29.10.2022 20:54 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1d is on a short break. Late registration will be closed after the break. The blinds will be 1,000/1,500 with a big blind of 1,500 when the action resumes.

mpf-0321
Maskell Ousts Nagler 29.10.2022 20:47 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 269/408

Jon Nagler three-bet shoved for about 20 big blinds before Alexander Maskell jammed a big stack. Another player who was initially in the pot, folded.

Jon Nagler: A K
Alexander Maskell: Q Q

Maskell’s queens held on the 7 3 9 J 5 the board.

Alexander Maskell – 190,000
Jon Nagler – 0

More Day 1d Photos 29.10.2022 20:27 by Jason Glatzer
Final Level Before Late Registration Closes 29.10.2022 20:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 284/403

The blinds have progressed to Level 8 with blinds at 600/1,200 with a big blind ante of 1,200.

This will be the final level players can re-enter the Main Event. There will be a short break after this level where players can also get in a last-second entry. If not, there is always tonight’s Day 1e turbo flight starting at 10 p.m.

Disciplined Laydown for Kyte? 29.10.2022 20:22 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 283/400

Jon Kyte bet 5,000 into a pot of a bit more with the 8 6 3 6 5 on the board. Quentin Roussey raised it to 30,000 and Kyte would have had to put the rest of his 10,500 chip stack in if he made the call.

It didn’t take too much time for Kyte to fold and he flash the 8 . Roussey then subsequently flashed the 5 .

Roussey collected the pot and the duo began a small chat.

“I would have just called if all I had was a five,” Roussey said.

“What did you have?” asked Kyte.

“I had another five,” Roussey responded.

“No, you didn’t,” Kyte said. “I had eight-five suited.”

Roussey insisted he had fives and it appeared that Kyte agreed with Roussey’s story.

“So, I got one outed,” Kyte said.

Kyte is short but he is one of the best players in Europe, especially in his home country of Norway.

We wish our friend Jon the best of luck to spin it up!

Quentin Roussey – 140,000
Jon Kyte – 10,500

Jon Kyte
Jon Kyte
400 Day 1d Entries! 29.10.2022 20:15 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 284/400

The Day 1d field just keeps getting bigger and just reached 400 entries! The entire poker room is full upstairs with just the Main Event and a few tables for the Ladies First! event. Meanwhile, the APAT Maltese Championship is booming on the first floor.

Best of luck to everyone regardless of what you are playing today.

Day 1e Start Time Pushed Back to 10 p.m. & Other Important Info 29.10.2022 20:05 by Jason Glatzer

We just got the official word that Day 1e will be pushed back to 10 p.m. from its original start time of 9 p.m.

As a reminder, the Day 1e flight is a turbo-charged affair with 20-minute blind levels. Additionally, the tournament will play down to 26% of the field which was the average amount of players that advanced from the first three opening flights.

Finally, a soft cap of 50 players will start things off. This will likely be adjusted as tables begin to break in both Day 1d and the side events but it is better to register early if you plan to play the final opening flight for the MPF Grand Event.

You can drop by the media desk or ask any of the tournament staff for further details and we will do our best to assist.

Snowmen for Clegg to Oust Coppens 29.10.2022 20:02 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 291/397

Albert Coppens three-bet shoved from the big blind for his stack of around 21,000 and was called by Adrian Clegg.

Albert Coppens: A 6
Adrian Clegg: 8 8

Clegg was ahead before the flop and the 7 9 6 flop kept him far ahead while also adding an open-ended straight draw. Coppens was halfway out of his chair before he sat back down when the A turn improved him to two pair.

But despite the friendly turn for Coppens, he lost the hand after the 5 river gave Clegg a straight to win the hand and eliminate his opponent.

Adrian Clegg – 130,000
Albert Coppens – 0

Day 1d Resumes 29.10.2022 19:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 300/389

The Day 1d flight has resumed and the flight has blossomed to 389 entries during the dinner break. The tournament staff has informed us that it is more likely than not that the Day 1e flight scheduled at 9 p.m. will be postponed for a short time due to this and the big numbers attracted to the side events as well. It shouldn’t be too long a delay if there is one but please be patient with the staff if a delay takes place.

As a reminder, the Day 1e flight plays differently. Not only does it feature faster 20-minute blind levels but also play out differently in another regard. Instead of 13 blind levels like the other opening flights, the turbo flight will play down to 26% of the field. There is also a sign about this at the cashier’s desk and this was announced as well by the staff at the beginning of Day 1d as well. The tournament staff will announce how many players advance after late registration is closed for Day 1e.

For the record, we like this approach as it brings more parity between the turbo and regular opening flights.

Best of luck to players in both Day 1d and those that plan to play in Day 1e.

More Day 1d Photos by Fiore Capuano 29.10.2022 19:26 by Jason Glatzer
Dinner Break 29.10.2022 18:12 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on a 75-minute dinner break. The action will progress to Level 7 with blinds at 500/1,000 with a big blind ante of 1,000 when the action resumes.

Warris Runs into Rockets 29.10.2022 18:03 by Jason Glatzer

Level 6: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 306/368

Asif Warris out of the Grand Event. He shared that he opened to 2,500 from under the gun with tens. The player in the big blind three-bet to 9,000 and Warris got his last 26 blinds in with a four-bet jam. The big blind player called and turned over rockets.

Warris didn’t get any help from the board and the rest is history. Warris plans to stay away from the tables at least for a few hours but said he is thinking of playing the €150 CasinoCoin CUP satellite at 8 p.m. to the €1,100 CasinoCoin CUP taking place tomorrow.

Asif Warris
Asif Warris
APAT Maltese Championship Begins 29.10.2022 17:57 by Jason Glatzer

APAT Maltese €120 Championship has just kicked off the first of two days. We sat down with APAT’s Tom Brady to learn more about the event.

Brady shared that dozens of players traveled from around Europe with most coming out from the United Kingdom to compete. It is rare to see any multi-day event with such a low buy-in giving players some value without having to lose tons of money.

We look forward to seeing who will win the event. It won’t be Brady, as he is too busy with the players to get into the action.

Ladies First! Drawing Good Numbers 29.10.2022 17:17 by Jason Glatzer

The Ladies First! event is hosted by Grosvenor Poker ambassador Katie Swift. Despite the huge numbers in the Day 1d field and the big attendance expected for the APAT event, the Ladies First! still so far has attracted a decent field of 69 entries.

MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre is also in action. Montealegre is more than just an event organizer as she also holds her own on the felts. During the 2022 MPF Spring Edition, she finished runner-up to the formidable Chris Reed in the Ladies First! event.

We wish all the ladies the best of luck.

Ivonne Montealegre
MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre
Flush for Maguire to Get Back to Starting Stack 29.10.2022 17:12 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 312/347

David Ettedgui bet 8,000 into a spread pot of a bit more with the 2 10 Q 6 J on the board and was called by Cole Maguire.

Maguire instantly tabled his 10 8 for a flush and was back at a starting stack after Ettedgui tossed his cards toward the dealer without showing his hand.

Cole Maguire – 50,000
David Ettedgui – 36,000

Photos from Around the Room on Day 1d 29.10.2022 17:05 by Jason Glatzer
Halil Cracks Aces and Sends Two Players to the Rail 29.10.2022 16:50 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 311/337

We caught up to some fireworks with Antonio Chemi five-bet jamming near an opening stack. A couple of players folded before both Gytis Pazemeckas and Hassan Halil, who three-bet and four-bet respectively, called with Halil having both players covered.

Gytis Pazemeckas: Pocket Aces
Antonio Chemi: Pocket Tens
Hassan Halil: Pocket Jacks

It was unlucky for the Lithuanian Pazemeckas straight off the bat after Halil improved to a full house on the six-six-jack flop. Neither a king on the turn nor a five on the river changed the outcome and Halil cracked aces to eliminate Pazemeckas and held against tens to also send Chemi packing.

Hassan Halil – 140,000
Gytis Pazemeckas – 0
Antonio Chemi – 0

Day 1d Officially the Largest 29.10.2022 16:34 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 307/327

The Day 1d field has already attracted 327 entries with five more levels for players to still enter. This makes it the largest opening flight field size as it already surpassed the 321 entries attracted during yesterday’s Day 1c field. Here is a look at the numbers before the day began.

FlightEntriesSurvivorsChip LeaderChipsBig BlindsAverageAverage BBSurvivor %
Day 1a             205                47 Daniel Taylor       517,000              103        218,085                44 23%
Day 1b             256                67 Anastasios Apostolou       539,000              108        191,045                38 26%
Day 1c             321                88 Oscar Arezzo       722,000              144        182,386                36 27%
Total             782              202        193,564                39 26%
Sahlin Cracks Aces Before the Break 29.10.2022 16:24 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 298/317

We caught up with Daniel Sahlin at the tail end of the break and he shared that he is on about 130,000 in chips.

It feels like either I am stalking Sahlin or it is the other way around as we have been at the same events the last few festivals I have either covered or played.

Sahlin briefly shared how he got his big stack so we will share what we were told.

It was a multi-way pot according to Sahlin and he nailed two pair to scoop it all with nine-five. He shared one of the players had aces, which is sometimes difficult to let go of even when playing as deep as the early portions of the MPF Grand Main Event provides.

“Next step, 200,000 in chips,” Sahlin said as he began to walk back to his table with the action resuming.

We wish Sahlin the best of luck and may he continue to crack aces while not having his aces cracked.

First Break 29.10.2022 16:02 by Jason Glatzer

The Day 1d field is already on its first break. Time does fly at poker tournaments!

The blinds will increase to 200/400 with a big blind ante of 400 when the action resumes.

Ace-Jack Good Suited for Morris 29.10.2022 15:58 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 280/293

A new table opened up and we dropped by to say hello to Gytis Pazemeckas as we both live in the same city of the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. Pazemeckas has been on a heater in his home country appearing on a few final tables of local Main Events and is looking to do the same in the MPF Grand Event.

We had to stop chatting as he got involved in a hand. He didn’t win the hand, but it isn’t how you start, but rather how you finish in a poker tournament.

The action began with Ian Morris opening from the hijack for 700 and was called by Giovanni Gaggia from the cutoff. Pazemeckas three-bet to 2,500. Morris called and Gaggia folded.

Both players checked after the 7 Q A landed on the flop before Morris check-called a bet of 3,000 by Pazemeckas after the 10 turn. The 10 river paired the board and both players checked again. Morris showed his A J and won the hand with two-pair with aces-over-tens after Pazemeckas mucked his cards.

Sėkmės (good luck in Lithuanian) to Pazemeckas in his quest for MPF Grand Event glory and to Morris as well who is already going in a positive direction.

Ian Morris – 57,000
Gytis Pazemeckas – 44,000

Gytis Pazemeckas
Gytis Pazemeckas
“I Have a Pair Bigger Than That Ten” 29.10.2022 15:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 275/283

Two players limped before Asif Warris raised it up to 2,200. Clement Haro put out 1,200 and apparently said he wanted to raise. Perhaps he didn’t see Warris’ bet but he was allowed to call. The other two players folded and the 8 10 5 flop led to some fireworks.

Haro checked before Warris fired out for 5,000. Haro then opted to jam his stack of around 45,000 and Warris went into the tank for a couple of minutes with his tournament life at risk.

“What did he make,” Warris said out loud while still tanking.

“I have an over-pair,” Warris said. “I have a pair bigger than that ten.”

Salvatore Di Dio, who wasn’t involved with the hand called for time and the dealer asked for the floor to come over.

Warris wasn’t pleased about the fact that Di Dio called the clock but it is within his rights as he is at the table. Before the timer started Warris folded and showed that he made a big laydown with J J .

Clement Haro – 55,000
Asif Warris – 40,000

Asif Warris
Asif Warris
“I Have Got a Good Hand” 29.10.2022 15:21 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 258/262

The Day 1d continues to grow with 262 entries. Four players have managed to find their way to the rail thus far during Level 2 including Pasquale Delli Santi, Vincent Gouiran, Luciano Cutri, and Joachim Koeberl.

Meanwhile, over on Table 19 there was a little table banter that might have led to Simon Davidson folding pocket jacks if we believe his table talk.

Both Davidson and Dorina Ciocan checked the Q 4 3 flop with about 4,000 in the pot when Scott Rodriguez bet 3,200. Davidson called before Ciocan folded. Davidson checked again on the 8 turn. Rodriguez bet 5,000 and Davidson went into the tank.

“I have a good hand,” Rodriguez said as part of the table talk between the two heads-up players.

Eventually, Davidson laid down his hand.

“I had jacks,” Davidson said without showing his cards.

“I will show you one,” replied Rodriguez.

Instead of showing one cards, he showed the both as he tabled the K Q which would have beaten Davidson’s jacks if that is what he had.

Simon Davidson – 47,000
Scott Rodriguez – 45,000

Early Day 1d Photos 29.10.2022 14:59 by Jason Glatzer
Big Slick Good for Sorensen 29.10.2022 14:53 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 230/230

Michael Sorensen fired out for 1,200 into a pot of around 2,000 after the 9 5 A came on the flop. Matthew Farrugia called and Scott Rodriguez folded.

Sorensen check-called a bet of 2,000 after the 10 followed on the turn before both players checked after the J river completed the board.

Farrugia turned over 9 7 for a pair of nines but this wasn’t enough with Sorensen showing A K for a better pair.

Michael Sorensen – 60,000
Matthew Farrugia – 36,000

€500K MPF Grand Event Guarantee Already Met! 29.10.2022 14:45 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 226/226

PokerListings was expecting after the big turnout on Day 1a that the guarantee will be smashed. Well, now it is official!

The Day 1d field has already attracted 226 entries. When combined with the 782 entries during the first three opening flights, the field is up to 1,008 and counting.

Now it is just a matter of how big the prize pool will get with Day 1d and Day 1e still open for registration.

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Double Checked Last Night’s Bags 29.10.2022 14:39 by Jason Glatzer

We initially had Ahmed Ibrahimi as the chip leader last night but we didn’t think he had as many chips based on our visual count near the end of the night. We have corrected his chip count to 503,000, which means that Oscar Arrezo was yesterday’s Day 1c chip leader with 510,000.

Thank you to the hard-working staff at Ludos Academy for investigating this! They have been doing an amazing job all week long, especially considering the bigger-than-expected numbers in both the Grand Event and the side events.

“Bad River” for ten Have 29.10.2022 14:28 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 201/201

There was more than 3,000 in the pot with the 5 4 2 8 3 on the board when Jos ten Have check-called a bet of 2,000 by Andrew Cutajar.

Cutajar tabled 8 6 for a straight to the six and ten Have mucked his cards.

“Bad river,” ten Have said after the hand.

Andrew Cutajar – 54,000
Jos ten Have – 47,000

Already 200 Entries! 29.10.2022 14:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 200/200

The Day 1d field will easily be the biggest of them all. Already, the field has attracted 200 entries and is well on pace to surpass the 321 entries attracted during yesterday’s Day 1c.

As a reminder, players can re-enter twice per opening flight if they so choose up until late registration closes before the start of Level 9.

Cards in the Air for Day 1d 29.10.2022 14:05 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 157/157

Cards are in the air after introductions by MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre and the Tournament Director Danilo De Berardinis.

It is looking like an amazing turnout for the third opening flight with already 157 entries in the mix.

Good luck to everyone in the Day 1d field and have fun!

Welcome Back to the MPF Grand Event 29.10.2022 13:15 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer

Welcome back to the PokerListings’ coverage of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival (MPF) Autumn Edition €550 Grand Event Powered by partypoker with Day 1d set to kick off at 2 p.m. CEST. A turbo Day 1e flight is scheduled for 9 p.m. but it is possible that this is pushed back a little to accommodate the massive field expected for Day 1d and the side events.

We will not be going out on a limb anymore to say that the €500,000 guarantee on the Grand Event is merely a placeholder based on the first three opening flights attracting 782 entries. A total of 202 players have already found their bag into tomorrow’s Day 2.

The Grand Event features five opening flights from Oct. 26-29. Those surviving from any open flights will compete for two more days on Oct. 30-31 until a winner is eventually crowned on Halloween. The first four opening flights, including today’s Day 1d, boast 13 blind levels of 40-minutes each giving players plenty of time to build a massive stack. Players start with a monstrous stack of 50,000 in chips for 500 big blinds during the first blind level. The final opening flight will be a turbo-charged affair boasting 20-minute blind levels. This flight has another major difference as Day 1e will play down to 26% of the field based on the average amount of survivors during the first three opening flights instead of 13 blind levels.

Danilo De Berardinis
MPF Tournament Director Danilo De Berardinis

The MPF is all about the players as can be evidenced in the fact that this event doesn’t feature unlimited re-entries and late registration closing at a reasonable time after Level 8 of each day. That being said, if players have some bad luck early on and don’t want to wait for another opening flight to get back into the Grand Event, they can re-enter twice each day before late registration closes.

Those finding a bag during any of the opening flights will enjoy an even deeper structure with 50-minute blinds on Day 2 and even longer 60-minute blind levels on the final day.

Players can also join a contest hosted by PokerDeals where they can win back their €550 buy-in along with plenty of other goodies. There will be flyers with instructions at each table about how to participate.

Greece’s Anastasios Apostolou with 539,000 bagged the overall chip lead followed by Day 1a chip leader Daniel Taylor with 519,000 in chips.

Day 1d Structure

Day 1d of the MPF Grand Event kicks off at 2 p.m. CEST and is estimated to end about 11 hours later at 1 a.m. Check out the structure for all the opening flights below.

LevelSmall BlindBig BlindAnte
1100100100
2100200200
3200300
15-Minute Break
4200400400
5300600600
6400800800
75-Minute Dinner Break
75001,0001,000
86001,2001,200
15-Minute Break
98001,6001,600
101,0002,0002,000
111,5002,5002,500
15-Minute Break
121,5003,0003,000
132,0004,0004,000

Action-Packed Day

The MPF Grand Event is the cornerstone of the festival. However, there are plenty of side events, satellites, and around-the-clock cash games in different formats and stakes to provide something for every poker player.

The second and final day of The Hendon Mob €225 championship is underway with four tables left. Among the players in the mix is Malta Poker Fish administrator and good friend to this author Antoine Degiorgio. We wish him and all the remaining players the best of luck in pursuit of the title.

Also taking place today at 4 p.m. is the €100 Ladies First! hosted by Grosvenor Poker ambassador Katie Swift. Ladies’ events are always full of energy and we hope the entire field enjoys their experience. We also wish Swift better luck than yesterday. She was in the Day 1c field and survived having her aces cracked once. But the second time this happened was fatal and unfortunately, she was on the rail.

The two-day €120 APAT kicks off its opening day a little later at 5 p.m.

Katie Swift
Katie Swift

Last, but not least, there will be a €150 CoinCasino CUP satellite awarding seats into tomorrow’s €1,100 CoinCasino CUP.

Here is a look at the full schedule of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition:

DateTimeBuy-inEvent
Oct. 247 p.m.€60Opening Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 256 p.m.€230HORSE Powered by Cardplayer Lifestyle
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€100NL Texas Special
Oct. 262 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1a Powered by partypoker
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€150MPF One Bullet
Oct. 272 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1b Powered by partypoker
5 p.m.€230Bounty Hunter Days Malta
8 p.m€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 282 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1c Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€225The HendonMob Championship Day 1
6 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
8 p.m.€150Deepstack Fulltilt Catania
Oct. 291 p.m.The HendonMob Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1d Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€100Ladies First! Hosted by Katie Swift
5 p.m.€120APAT Maltese Championship Day 1
8 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Satellite
9 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1e Turbo Powered by partypoker
Oct. 301 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 2 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.APAT Maltese Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Turbo Satellite
4 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 1
5 p.m.€150Sunday Deep Stack by Stanley Bet
7 p.m.€200PLO Knight Crusaders
8 p.m.€330The PartyPoker Cup
Oct. 312 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 3 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 2
3 p.m.€120Bounty Hunter Days Progressive Closer
7 p.m.€150Win the Spooky Cross Hosted by Ivonne Montealegre

Our coverage will kick off when cards are in the air for Day 1d shortly after 2 p.m. Stay tuned to PokerListings for all of your updates.

dsc-8930
Oscar Arezzo Bags Day 1c Chip Lead 29.10.2022 03:21 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer

The €500,000 guaranteed Malta Poker Festival (MPF) €550 Grand Final Day 1c field attracted an impressive field of 321 entries at the luxurious Portomaso Casino. This brings the total up to 782 entries with two more flights taking place tomorrow. Therefore, it is no longer whether the guarantee will be met but by how much it will be crushed.

A total of 88 players advanced to Day 2 via Day 1c after 13 blind levels. A total of 114 survivors advanced from the first two opening flights bringing the total number of players finding a bag into Day 2 thus far up to 202 players.

Oscar Arezzo bagged the Day 1c chip lead with 510,000 in chips, but he is still behind both the Day 1b and overall chip leader in Anastasios Apostolou with 539,000 and Day 1a chip leader Daniel Taylor with 519,000.

Just behind Arezzo was Ahmed Ibrahim (503,000), Emanuele Onnis (441,000), and Alessandro Santini (406,000). These were the only players to advance with at least 400,000 in chips.

Other notable players to advance to Day 2 included Sascha Manns (368,000), Uwe Matthias (330,000), Soner Vanelderen (300,000), MPF Spring Grand Event third-place finisher and Hippodrome ambassador Christopher Da Silva (263,000), 2022 PPC Malta champion Oliver Hutchins (224,000), Raoul Van Wersch (206,000), Sylvere Paillot (191,000), Oliver Said (184,000), and Wouter Schuurbiers (78,000).

Unfortunately, Grosvenor Poker ambassador Katie Swift was unable to advance out of the Day 1c field after she had aces cracked twice today. Swift will be hosting the €100 Ladies First! event tomorrow and plans to enter tomorrow’s turbo Day 1e field if there is enough time.

Soner Vanelderen
Soner Vanelderen

Day 1c Top Ten Chip Counts

PlacePlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Oscar Arezzo510,000102
2Ahmed Ibrahimi503,000101
3Emanuele Onnis441,00088
4Alessandro Santini406,00081
5Jens Mmab399,00080
6Sascha Manns368,00074
7Guillermo Ceballos359,00072
8Luca Iannizzotto356,00071
9Alessandro Pichierri330,00066
10Uwe Matthias330,00066

The Grand Event is all for the players and is limited to two re-entries per flight. In addition, late registration closes after Level 8 meaning that anyone getting into the action will start with a workable stack and not need to shove straight off the bat in order to gain some breathing room.

Today also boasted a €60 satellite for players looking to get into the Grand Event for pennies on the dollar along with the start of the two-day The Hendon Mob €225 Championship and the €150 Deepstack Fulltilt Catania.

dsc-8568

Special Notes About the Turbo Day 1e Field

For players planning to play the Day 1e field, they should be aware that this will play differently than the other opening flights. Not only will the blinds levels increase at a faster pace with 20-minute blind levels, but instead of playing 13 blind levels, the action will conclude when just 26 percent of the field remains.

PokerListings will be back live reporting at the MPF at the start of Day 1d of the MPF Grand Event at 2 p.m. CEST.

Photos from End of Day 1c 29.10.2022 03:03 by Jason Glatzer
Final Day 1c Chip Counts 29.10.2022 02:58 by Jason Glatzer

The Day 1c attracted a banner field of 321 entries with 88 players surviving. Here is a look at all of the final chip counts of the 88 survivors.

PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Oscar Arezzo510,000102
Ahmed Ibrahimi503,000101
Emanuele Onnis441,00088
Alessandro Santini406,00081
Jens Mmab399,00080
Sascha Manns368,00074
Guillermo Ceballos359,00072
Luca Iannizzotto356,00071
Alessandro Pichierri330,00066
Uwe Matthias330,00066
Stefan Alvetjarn325,00065
Daniel Buzato De Aquino306,00061
Jens Sandell-Duus305,00061
Soner Vanelderen300,00060
Mathis Bouledin295,00059
Jean Ruche281,00056
Cornelis Vreugdenhill277,00055
Nick Forrez272,00054
Christopher Da Silva263,00053
Federico Giordano253,00051
Leonidas Vogiatzoglou235,00047
Deividas Butnoras228,00046
Oliver Hutchins224,00045
Jeff Cannon221,00044
Orazio Pellegrino221,00044
Robert Rohr217,00043
Tom Delaine216,00043
Raoul Van Wersch206,00041
Angelo Censabella204,00041
Dario Barone203,00041
Daniel Henriques203,00041
Birger Strand201,00040
Ingvill Nilsen197,00039
Martyn Frey191,00038
Sylvere Paillot191,00038
Sergio Gandolfo187,00037
Oliver Said184,00037
Jorgen Schjetne180,00036
Goos Terschegget175,00035
Nikolaos Paparis174,00035
Per Helge Gaassand166,00033
Karl Metz166,00033
Antonio Gassiraro162,00032
Alessandro Spata153,00031
Dean Perry147,00029
Erik Lindqwist141,00028
Bart Maes139,00028
Alain Pujol139,00028
Alejandro Gambin135,00027
Mario Musacchia135,00027
Robert Schanemann132,00026
Serdar Demircan130,00026
Igor Piotr Melcer122,00024
Jose Manuel Garcia Fernandez120,00024
Vincenzo Scarpitti120,00024
Daniel Kuhlmann118,00024
Thomas Shields116,00023
Grzegorz Skawinski115,00023
Samuel Dray114,00023
Patrick Wulf112,00022
Ivar Vamrak111,00022
Pim Wilgenburg110,00022
Franco Arlotta106,00021
Johann Muhlbauer102,00020
Arturas Dauksevic101,00020
Nicolas Maillaud100,00020
Tugce Hallner98,00020
Francesco Aru90,00018
Lukas Renz88,00018
Martin Ganghev86,00017
Andrea Kapp84,00017
Roberto Zuffo83,00017
Mario Stancati81,00016
Wouter Schuurbiers78,00016
Daniel Aberg76,00015
Mehran Zandi75,00015
Leonid Spielmann74,00015
Fabrizio Cocco73,00015
Lorenzo Pino73,00015
Martin Kirchbaumer67,00013
Antonio Lancellotta67,00013
Gabriele Re65,00013
Fredrik Kristiansen61,00012
Bojan Jacovic59,00012
Jim Alm-Odeen55,00011
Lukas Lange55,00011
Susan O’Connor53,00011
Rodolphe Gauthier50,00010
Players Bagging Chips 29.10.2022 01:02 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1c is in the books. Players are bagging chips. We will post chip counts and a recap later in the evening. Congrats to everyone that earned a bag for Sunday’s Day 2.

Raging Players’ Party 29.10.2022 00:33 by Jason Glatzer

The Malta Poker Festival is hosting a party at the luxurious Club TwentyTwo in the nearby Portomaso Tower. This author will not be attending this time around but did have fun at a similar party during the Malta Poker Festival Spring Edition earlier this year.

We have heard several reports from the players that they are enjoying some fun (and, of course, some drinks) at the party. We will have some photos of the party in our Day 1d coverage tomorrow.

Hertzberg Loses His Short Stack 29.10.2022 00:30 by Jason Glatzer

Level 13: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 102/321

Robert Hertzberg jammed his last 37,000 from early position and was called by Deividas Butnoras from the button.

Robert Hertzberg: 7 5
Deividas Butnoras: A K

Hertzberg had some hope with both his cards live along with an open-ended straight draw after the 2 4 6 flop and pulled ahead after pairing his seven on the 7 turn. But it wasn’t meant to be as Butnoras won the hand after his king found a friend on the K river to eliminate Hertzberg.

Deivdas Butnoras – 270,000
Robert Hertzberg – 0

Final Day 1c Blind Level Begins 29.10.2022 00:16 by Jason Glatzer

Level 13: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 106/321

The final blind level of Day 1c just kicked off with blinds at 2,000/4,000 along with a 4,000 big blind ante. After this blind level is in the books, surviving players will bag chips into Sunday’s Day 2.

There may be a handful of players that decide not to bag their stack. If a player is under 50,000 in chips, they can opt to forfeit their stack and re-enter. While this might not be the worst idea for players with shallow stacks, it could prove to be fatal as well as they will not advance to Day 2 unless they are able to survive either of tomorrow’s Day 1d or Day 1e flights. The choice is solely up to each player and let’s hope they make the right decision for themselves.

Gambin Picks Off Gaasand’s Bluff 29.10.2022 00:06 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 112/321

Per Gaasand opened for 7,500 from early position. Alejandro Gambin three-bet to 21,500 from the hijack and Gaasand called.

Gaasand fired out for 27,500 after the Q 10 4 came on the flop and Gambin called. Both players checked after the 9 followed on the turn. The 9 paired the board on the river. Gaasand bet 30,000 and Gambin didn’t take too much time to throw out a single chip to call.

Gaasand was slow to turn over his cards. Probably he wanted Gambin to show first so he could muck his hand knowing if he was called he was probably beat. About 15 seconds later, Gaasand turned over the A J and the pot went to Gambin after he turned over K Q to win the hand.

Alejandro Gambin – 320,000
Per Gaasand – 170,000

More Day 1c Photos 28.10.2022 23:48 by Jason Glatzer
Aces Cracked for a Second Time for Swift 28.10.2022 23:44 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 117/321

We caught up with the Grosvenor Poker ambassador and the MPF Ladies First! host Katie Swift just before the break as we saw her leaving her seat before the other players.

Swift took a photo of the hand and told us the action about how her aces got cracked for a second time today. This time, the result was fatal as she was on the rail for good.

Swift shared she opened from under the gun for 6,000 with A A . A player jammed with K Q and Swift made the easy call.

Unfortunately for Swift, her opponent improved to two pair on the Q 5 7 6 Q board and the rest was history.

Swift also mentioned that she hopes that she will be able to get back into the action for tomorrow’s turbo Day 1e opening flight. But that all depends on how late the Ladies First! event runs first.

We wish Katie the best of luck tomorrow and hope she enjoys the rest of her evening despite running bad during Day 1c.

Katie Swift
Katie Swift
Final Break 28.10.2022 23:19 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1c is on its final break of the day. Blinds will increase to 1,500/3,000 with a big blind ante of 3,000 when the action resumes.

Aru Doubles with Rockets 28.10.2022 23:02 by Jason Glatzer

Level 11: 1,500/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 140/321

Carina Voncken opened for 7,500 from middle position and was called by Daniel Aberg from the hijack before Thomas Shields three-bet jammed for 87,000 from the cutoff. Francesco Aru called off his stack of 45,000 from the cutoff and the action paused on Voncken.

Voncken appeared less than happy about all of the action in front of her and paused for a couple of minutes. Eventually, she slammed her cards on the table and folded out of what appeared to be frustration. Aberg got out of the way as well.

Francesco Aru: A A
Thomas Shields: A K

Voncken breathed a sigh of relief as she shared she was pondering whether to call off her stack with ace-queen.

Aru’s rockets held on the 6 3 9 3 7 board and he doubled his stack.

Francesco Aru – 115,000
Thomas Shields – 43,000

Gaasand and Perry Chop La Ferla’s Stack 28.10.2022 22:29 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 152/321

Domenico La Ferla opened for 6,000 from early position. Per Gaassand called from late position and Dean Perry defended his big blind.

A ton of action came after Perry checked the Q 4 K flop. La Ferla bet 11,000. Gaasand called before Perry jammed for about 120,000. La Ferla called off for about 75,000 and Gaasand, who had both players covered with about 180,000 also called.

Domenico La Ferla: A K
Dean Perry: K Q
Per Gaasand: K Q

“Ace! Ace!” La Ferla shouted.

No ace came after the 6 turn and 6 river and Gaasand and Perry chopped up La Ferla’s stack with each player holding the same top two pair.

Special thanks to our friend Jon Kyte for sharing the preflop action and confirming the post flop action we witnessed first hand.

Per Gaasand – 220,000
Dean Perry – 160,000
Domenico La Ferla – 0

Schuurbiers on a Small Rollercoaster 28.10.2022 22:16 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 160/321

Wouter Schuurbiers was north of 100,000 but was down to a starting stack shortly after losing some chips with ace-ten against fives with top two pair against a set.

“It could have been worse,” Schuurbiers optimistically said. “I lost the bare minimum.”

However, fives were lucky the next time around as he is back up to 85,000 after eliminating a short-stacked opponent holding ace-queen. He won the flip after the eight-eight-trey-deuce-deuce ran out on the board.

Swift Spin-Up Begins 28.10.2022 21:59 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 171/318

We noticed Katie Swift was down to about 20,000 in chips.

“Oh no,” we said to our friend before we asked what happened.

Swift shared she opened from under the gun with ace-king before two players shoved with ace-jack and ace-deuce. Another player that had about 40,000 also got it in with kings and Swift, who had the table barely covered, made the call.

Nothing came on the board to help anyone and Swift was down to just 8,000 in chips.

Swift then shared the start of her comeback. She jammed with king-seven offsuit and was looked up by a player with deuces. Neither her king nor her seven connected with the board but she won the hand anyway thanks to her king-kicker after board double-paired with eights and nines.

“Continue the spin-up,” we told Swift.

“That’s what I do,” Swift replied with a smile.

We wish the Grosvenor Poker ambassador the best of luck, especially since it will be difficult for her to get back into the Main Event since she will be busy as the host of the €100 Ladies First! event taking place on Saturday.

Lipari Triples with Rockets 28.10.2022 21:46 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 177/321

There was a three-way all-in on Table 4 with Davide Lipari having his last 39,500 committed, Mario Manara having his last 50,000 in the pot, and Joanna Bart having both players covered with a stack of around 80,000 to start the hand.

Davide Lipari: A A
Mario Manara: A Q
Joanna Bart: K Q

The 6 3 7 flop was safe for Lipari. Manara paired his king on the K turn. Lipari had a sweat as not only did the turn open up the possibility of Manara improving to two pair or trips on the river but it also opened up a flush draw for Manara. However, the 9 river was safe for Lipari and he tripled his stack with pocket rockets. Meanwhile, Bart won the side pot to send Manara to the rail.

321 Day 1c Entries 28.10.2022 21:26 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 194/321

The break is over and players are back in their seats. Late registration is now closed for the Day 1c flight. The field attracted 321 entries to bring the total Grand Event up to 782 entries with two more opening flights to go.

Best of luck to all of the Day 1c players in finding a bag into Sunday’s Day 2.

Break Time 28.10.2022 21:00 by Jason Glatzer

Players are now on a short break.

Schuurbiers Triples Up 28.10.2022 20:59 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 197/318

Wouter Schuurbiers opened for 2,500 from under the gun. Alessandro Barone and Igor Melger both called from middle position before Karmel Tierra, who had a big six-figure stack early in Day 1c, three-bet jammed for 35,000. Schuurbiers called off for 34,000. Barone called both players and Melger folded.

Karmel Tierra: Q Q
Wouter Schuurbiers: A K
Alessandro Barone: 9 9

Schuurbiers paired his king on the K 2 4 flop. It was still a scary board for the Belgian who is frequently seen playing mixed games in Malta as both players had a flush draw and there were still two queens and two nines left in the deck. Any of these cards would have had Schuurbiers drawing dead. However, a blank 8 turn and an equally blank 2 river to triple his stack to 108,000 and send Tierra to the rail.

“Is My Raise OK?” 28.10.2022 20:42 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 205/318

A player opened from under the gun before Sasa Radosevic three-bet shoved for 8,200 from one seat over. Samuel Dray four-bet from middle position to 13,500.

The action paused for a little bit by the dealer.

“Is my raise OK?” asked Dray.

Chris Da-Silva, who took third place in the Malta Poker Festival Spring Edition Grand Event earlier this year was quick to share that it was legal. The dealer shortly later did the calculations and determined it was. The action folded back around to the under-the-gun opening player, who opted to fold his hand.

Sasa Radosevic: A 6
Samuel Dray: A Q

It looked it Radosevic would hit the showers but he connected his six with the 4 K 6 flop and never looked back. Neither the 8 turn nor the J river pushed Dray back in front allowing Radosevic to not only stay alive but gain some breathing room.

Samuel Dray – 37,000
Sasa Radosevic – 20,000

More Day 1c Photos 28.10.2022 20:29 by Jason Glatzer
Klat Completes his Flush Draw to Oust Messina 28.10.2022 20:26 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 211/313

The blinds have moved onto Level 8. This means it is the final level of late registration for the Day 1c field of the MPF Grand Event.

One player that will need to re-enter if they wish to bag chips to Day 2 via Day 1c is Renato Messina.

We caught up to a hand where Messina already had all his chips in the pot with 8 3 with the 8 6 3 on the board after the flop. Olivier Klat had him covered with K 4 for a flush draw.

Messina’s two pair was still good after the A appeared on the turn. However, the Q spiked the river to complete Klat’s flush draw and Messina was on the rail.

Olivier Klat – 120,000
Renato Messina – 0

Cowboys for Spadola 28.10.2022 20:09 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 217/309

Salvatore Spadola fired out for 17,500 into a pot of around double this amount with the 3 2 6 Q 10 on the board. Antonio Chemi went into the tank for several minutes before he decided to call.

Spadola turned over K K for an overpair. He won the pot and left his opponent with just a few chips left in his stack after Chemi folded.

Salvatore Spadola – 140,000
Antonio Chemi – 9,000

Arnsby on the Comeback Trail 28.10.2022 19:58 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 219/306

Kat Arnsby was low on chips the last time we checked. She shared that just before the dinner break she ran her ten big blinds up to nearly a starting stack.

Arnsby said that a player opened for 2,000. Another player called before Arnsby three-bet jammed for her small stack. Both players called and Arnsby was technically ahead but had a lot to fade with ace-queen against eight-five suited and king-queen suited.

We learned that one of her opponent’s paired their five but it didn’t matter as Arnsby improved to a while with a deuce-trey-four-five all appearing on the board.

We wish the best of luck to both our friend and a friend of The Malta Poker Festival Kat Arnsby and hope to see her with a bigger stack the next time we pass her table.

Kat Arnsby – 47,000

Day 1c Field Grows Beyond 300 Entries 28.10.2022 19:36 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 226/304

Players are back from dinner break. During the dinner break, the field grew beyond 300 entries.

Various Big Stacks at Break 28.10.2022 19:34 by Jason Glatzer
PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Luca Iannizzotto265,000265
Stefan Alvetjarn230,000230
Deividas Butnoras190,000190
Florian Dubrawski180,000180
Robert Hertz180,000180
Daniel De Aquino170,000170
Andrew Cutajar160,000160
Fabio Aprile160,000160
Jorgen Schjetne160,000160
Francesco Aru130,000130
Rodolphe Gauthier128,000128
Birger Strand125,000125
Orazio Pellegrino125,000125
Jeff Cannon125,000125
Sylvere Paillot120,000120
Henriques Pereira120,000120
Oliver Said120,000120
Martyn Frey115,000115
Alessandro Barone115,000115
Robert Rohr110,000110
Alessandro Santini110,000110
Cornelis Vreugdenhill110,000110
Soner Vanelderen105,000105
Nicko Christensen105,000105
Viktor Kambov105,000105
Torrisi Illuminato100,000100
Albert Coppens100,000100
Clement Bonnant100,000100
Leonidas Vogiatzoglou90,00090
Salvatore Spadola90,00090
Jack Paulsen85,00085
Antonio Gassiraro80,00080
Enjoy Some Day 1c Photos While on Dinner Break 28.10.2022 18:50 by Jason Glatzer
Dinner Break 28.10.2022 18:14 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on a 75-minute dinner break. Blinds will increase to 500/1,000 with a big blind ante of 1,000 when the action resumes.

Dempsey’s Two Pair not Good Enough 28.10.2022 18:11 by Jason Glatzer

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 230/290

Cornelis Vrugdenhill checked the 5 A Q flop before Shane Dempsey fired out for 4,200 into a pot of around 7,000. Vrugdenhill raised to 12,500 and Dempsey went into the tank before he jammed for around 45,000. Vrugdenhill snap-called and the cards were turned over.

Shane Dempsey: A 5
Cornelis Vrugdenhill: A Q

Both players had two pair but Dempsey was already out of his chair as he needed one of the two remaining fives to get ahead of Vrugdenhill’s better two pair. Neither the J turn nor the 6 river assisted Dempsey in getting ahead and he was on the rail.

Cornelis Vrugdenhill – 125,000
Shane Dempsey – 0

Tierro Tearing it Up 28.10.2022 17:55 by Jason Glatzer

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 236/283

There was a good amount of chips in the pot when Rolands Eversons checked the turn with the 4 K 5 2 on the board. Karmel Tierro jammed his massive stack and Eversons called off for about 20 big blinds.

Rolands Eversons: 4 2
Karmel Tierro: K 7

Eversons was ahead with his bottom two pair. However, his two pair was counterfeited after the 5 paired the board to give Tierro a better two pair to eliminate Eversons and to grow his stack to around 235,000 in chips.

Karmel Tierro – 235,000
Rolands Eversons – 0

Hansen Felts Galea with Cowboys 28.10.2022 17:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 243/281

Raymond Galea got his final 15,000 in chips in the pot and was up against Gilbert Hansson.

Raymond Galea: A 7
Gilbert Hansson: K K

Galea got no help on a blank board to get ahead of Hansson’s cowboys and will need to re-enter for a chance to advance to Day 2 and beyond.

Gilbert Hansson – 70,000
Raymond Galea – 0

Final Grand Event Satellite About to Begin 28.10.2022 17:35 by Jason Glatzer

The final €60 satellite to the Grand Event is set to kick off at 6 p.m. This is your final chance to get in on the action for a fraction of the €550 Grand Event buy-in.

Best of luck to all playing!

Cocco Hits his Flush Draw 28.10.2022 17:32 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 247/276

We caught up with a hand with the 2 Q 10 on the flop with both Dan Persson and Gaetano Cammillieri having 8,200 over the line and Fabrizo Cocco having his full stack of about 25,000 and an all-in triangle in front of him. There wasn’t much in the pot at the time so there was likely more postflop action that led up to this point.

Persson folded while Cammilleri tanked for a moment before opting to call.

Fabrizo Cocco: 7 3
Gaetano Cammillieri: Q J

Cammillieri was a bit ahead but Cocco nailed his flush draw after the 9 landed on the turn. Cammillieri still had some outs for a better flush draw but Cocco took down the pot after the blank J river completed the board.

Fabrizo Cocco – 65,000
Gaetano Cammillieri – 50,000

Alvetjarn Catapults to Triple Starting Stack 28.10.2022 16:58 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 243/263

We were watching a hand at Table 2 when Ladies First! host Katie Swift shared that fireworks took place a moment ago in a hand won by Stefan Alvetjarn. Alvetjarn recapped a hand but others at the table also chimed in with some details.

Alvetjarn opened from early position to 1,100 and got three players to call to see the Q 6 3 flop. The table wasn’t able to recall the amount, but Valliuns Latrompete was the first to actively bet and two players called in Rolands Eversons and Alvetjarn. The 2 followed on the turn. Alvetjarn checked. Latrompete bet 5,700. Eversons called before Alvetjarn raised to 18,000. Both Latrompete and Everson called before the 8 river completed the board.

Alvetjarn jammed a big stack. Both of his opponents folded. Shortly after, Alvtjarn turned over 5 4 for the nut straight and is now on about 155,000 in chips.

Big Slick Good for Davidson 28.10.2022 16:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 236/253

Uwe Matthias opened for 1,100 from under the gun. Antonio Lancellotta three-bet to 4,000 from middle position. Simon Davidson cold-called from the button and Matthias folded.

Lancellotta fired out for 6,000 on the 3 K K flop and Davidson called. Davidson then bet 6,000 on the 5 turn and Lancellotta check-called to see the 9 river. Lancellotta checked again. Davidson fired out for 15,000 and Lancellotta tanked for about a minute before he called.

Davidson turned over A K and his trips with an ace-kicker did the job to win the hand after Lancellotta mucked his cards.

Simon Davidson – 95,000
Antonio Lancellotta – 7,000

First Break 28.10.2022 16:02 by Jason Glatzer

The Day 1c players are on their first break of the day. Blinds will increase to 200/400 with a big blind ante of 400 when the action resumes.

Set of Fives for Fernandez 28.10.2022 16:01 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 219/230

Daniel Rigby bet 5,100 into a pot of around 13,000 with the 8 4 K 5 A on the board. Jose Fernandez paused for about 15 seconds before he called.

Rigby turned over K J but this wasn’t close to good enough with Fernandez tabling 5 5 for a set of fives to win the pot.

Jose Fernandez – 65,000
Daniel Rigby – 40,000

Want to Play Against the Legend Kevmath? 28.10.2022 15:46 by Jason Glatzer

The two-day The Hendon Mob €225 Championship will kick off soon at 4 p.m. The Hendon Mob team is here in full force and the team plans to play their event.

Last time The Hendon Mob Championship took place The Hendon Mob’s Hans Kleinsman earned his first The Hendon Mob flag. The Hendon Mob’s Roland Boothby is also a formidable player and already bagged more than 30 big blinds in the Grand Event during yesterday’s Day 1c. Boothby can often be seen playing at various events throughout the year and is always fun at the tables.

However, it is truly a special honor that Kevin Mathers, better known as Kevmath on Twitter, has made the journey from the United States to chill with his crew and also enter the event. This is a rare opportunity to play with one of the legends of the industry.

Best of luck to The Hendon Mob crew and everyone else playing in The Hendon Mob Championship.

Vergetis Tables His Rockets 28.10.2022 15:37 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 204/212

Dimitrios Vergetis bet 2,500 into a pot of around 3,500 after the 9 7 5 came on the flop and was called by Mario Musacchia.

Mussacchia called a bet of 3,200 by Vergetis after the K turn. The 2 completed the board on the river. Vergetis fired out for 6,000. Musacchia tanked for a moment before he folded.

Although there was no showdown, Vergetis opted to table his A A .

Dimitrios Vergetis – 85,000
Mario Musacchia – 60,000

Better Full House for Jarman 28.10.2022 15:21 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 191/192

William Jarman checked with 7,000 in the pot and the 4 3 4 8 10 on the board. Manish Rawal fired out for 3,500. Jarman raised to 16,800 and Rawal went into the tank before he made the call.

Jarman turned over 10 4 for a full house. Rawal shook his head and opted to show that he had a smaller full house with 8 4 . Lucky for Rawal, if this kind of hand took place later in the Day, he would be on the rail. Instead, he still has a decent stack to try to gain momentum with.

Meanwhile, Walter Lustenberger had the honor of being the first Day 1c player on the rail.

William Jarman – 75,000
Manish Rawal – 30,000
Walter Lustenberger – 0

Early Day 1c Photos by Fiore Campuano 28.10.2022 15:08 by Jason Glatzer
“That was the Problem, No Clubs” 28.10.2022 15:03 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 179/179

Nicko Christensen opened for 500 from under the gun. Mehdi Rebai called from late position before Andrew Cutajar three-bet to 2,100 from the button. Fabrizo Cocco cold-called from the small blind. Christensen also called and Rebai folded.

Cocco checked the J 3 K flop before Christensen bet 2,600. Cutajar called and Cocco folded. Christensen then fired out for 3,200 after the 9 came on the turn. Cutajar raised to 8,000 and Christensen called.

Both players checked the 4 river. Christiansen turned over A K which despite there being four clubs on the board was good enough to win the hand with Cutajar mucking his cards.

“I thought you had the queen of clubs,” said Christensen.

“That was the problem,” replied Cutajar. “No clubs.”

Andrew Cutajar – 65,000
Nicko Christensen – 40,000

Arnsby Runs Into Molmans’ Flush 28.10.2022 14:38 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 147/147

Unibet Poker Head of Network Games Marketing Kat Arnsby is in the house and already battling it out in the Day 1b field. Over the years, Arnsby has contributed tons to the poker player community and enjoys the banter surrounding the game.

You should check out Kat’s Twitter under the handle ThePokerBaffler if you love poker banter and her unique insights.

Unfortunately as was the case with Poker Mama, things didn’t start off peachy clean for Arnsby.

In a recent hand, Nicky Molmans made a pot-sized bet of 4,500 with the A 5 K 3 4 on the board. Kat tossed in a chip to make the call.

“Flush?” Arnsby asked?

It was indeed a flush with Molmans turning over J 5 for the second-nuts. Arnsby would have raised if she had the actual nuts, so it is of no surprise her hand went into the muck.

We wish Kat the best of success during Day 1c!

Nicky Molmans – 55,000
Kat Arnsby – 45,000

Early Bad Beat for “Poker Mama” 28.10.2022 14:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 124/124

This reporter always loves seeing Jackie Cachia, known affectionately as “Poker Mama” in Malta, every time he visits this island of paradise.

Poker Mama has made her grand entrance as she never will miss a big event in her home country. Hopefully, Cachia got the bad beats out of her system as the following hand didn’t cost her much.

Thomas Hansen bet 2,300 into a pot of slightly more with the J 6 J 6 7 on the board. Poker Mama paused for a moment before she opted to call.

“I have a six,” said Hansen as he turned over A 6 for a full house.

Cachia shook her head at the early bad beat before opting to table her A A .

We wish Poker Mama the best of luck on her quest for the MPF Grand Event title.

Thomas Hansen – 55,000
Jackie Cachia – 45,000

Day 1c Begins 28.10.2022 14:06 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 109/109

Cards are in the air after introductions by MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre and the Tournament Director Danilo De Berardinis.

It is looking like an amazing turnout for the third opening flight with already 109 entries in the mix.

Good luck to everyone in the Day 1c field and have fun!

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Welcome to Day 1c of the €500K GTD MPF Grand Event 28.10.2022 12:21 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer

Welcome back to the PokerListings’ coverage of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival (MPF) Autumn Edition €550 Grand Event Powered by partypoker with Day 1c set to kick off at 2 p.m. CEST.

The €500,000 guarantee on the Grand Event is likely just a placeholder based on the first two opening flights attracting 461 entries. Many of these players already advanced to Day 2 with 47 entries bagging chips on Day 1a and 67 players doing the same on Day 1b.

The Grand Event features five opening flights from Oct. 26-29. Those surviving from any open flights will compete for two more days on Oct. 30-31 until a winner is eventually crowned on Halloween. The first four opening flights, including today’s Day 1c, boast 13 blind levels of 40-minutes each giving players plenty of time to build a massive stack. Players start with a monstrous stack of 50,000 in chips for 500 big blinds during the first blind level. The final opening flight will be a turbo-charged affair boasting 20-minute blind levels with an ending time to be determined based on the average stack sizes of the other opening flights.

The MPF is all about the players as can be evidenced in the fact that this event doesn’t feature unlimited re-entries and late registration closing at a reasonable time after Level 8 of each day. That being said, if players have some bad luck early on and don’t want to wait for another opening flight to get back into the Grand Event, they can re-enter twice each day before late registration closes.

Those finding a bag during any of the opening flights will enjoy an even deeper structure with 50-minute blinds on Day 2 and even longer 60-minute blind levels on the final day.

Players can also join a contest hosted by PokerDeals where they can win back their €550 buy-in along with plenty of other goodies. There will be flyers with instructions at each table about how to participate.

Greece’s Anastasios Apostolou currently has the chip lead after finishing Day 1b with 539,000. Just behind Apostolou is Daniel Taylor with 519,000 in chips.

Day 1c Structure

Day 1c of the MPF Grand Event kicks off at 2 p.m. CEST and is estimated to end about 11 hours later at 1 a.m. Check out the structure for all the opening flights below.

LevelSmall BlindBig BlindAnte
1100100100
2100200200
3200300
15-Minute Break
4200400400
5300600600
6400800800
75-Minute Dinner Break
75001,0001,000
86001,2001,200
15-Minute Break
98001,6001,600
101,0002,0002,000
111,5002,5002,500
15-Minute Break
121,5003,0003,000
132,0004,0004,000

Something for Everyone

The MPF Grand Event is the cornerstone of the festival. However, there are plenty of side events, satellites, and around-the-clock cash games in different formats and stakes to provide something for every poker player.

Today is another special day for side events as many players plan to hop into the two-day The Hendon Mob €225 Championship starting at 4 p.m. The Hendon Mob’s team is here in full force including the infamous WSOP Twitter Czar Kevin “Kevmath” Mathers who arrived yesterday from the United States. Meanwhile, The Hendon Mob’s Roland Boothby will have the full two days to play if he can make it past the opening day as he found a healthy bag of 157,000 in chips during yesterday’s Day 1b of the Grand Event.

Roland Boothby
Roland Boothby

Also taking place today will be the final €60 live satellite at 6 p.m. These have been drawing huge numbers and many players haven’t been playing by a Dara O’Kearney-approved strategy. This author witnessed during Monday’s satellite that players that seemingly had the Main Event seat locked up were still playing hands. Without giving away too much satellite strategy, please don’t do this if you plan to play the satellite tonight.

Finally, the MPF €150 Deepstack Fulltilt Catania kicks off at 8 p.m. for those looking for a late-night tournament experience while playing for big money.

Here is a look at the full schedule of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition:

DateTimeBuy-inEvent
Oct. 247 p.m.€60Opening Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 256 p.m.€230HORSE Powered by Cardplayer Lifestyle
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€100NL Texas Special
Oct. 262 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1a Powered by partypoker
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€150MPF One Bullet
Oct. 272 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1b Powered by partypoker
5 p.m.€230Bounty Hunter Days Malta
8 p.m€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 282 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1c Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€225The HendonMob Championship Day 1
6 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
8 p.m.€150Deepstack Fulltilt Catania
Oct. 291 p.m.The HendonMob Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1d Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€100Ladies First! Hosted by Katie Swift
5 p.m.€120APAT Maltese Championship Day 1
8 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Satellite
9 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1e Turbo Powered by partypoker
Oct. 301 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 2 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.APAT Maltese Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Turbo Satellite
4 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 1
5 p.m.€150Sunday Deep Stack by Stanley Bet
7 p.m.€200PLO Knight Crusaders
8 p.m.€330The PartyPoker Cup
Oct. 312 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 3 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 2
3 p.m.€120Bounty Hunter Days Progressive Closer
7 p.m.€150Win the Spooky Cross Hosted by Ivonne Montealegre

Our coverage will kick off when cards are in the air for Day 1c shortly after 2 p.m. Stay tuned to PokerListings for all of your updates.

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Anastasios Apostolou Bags Overall MPF Grand Event Chip Lead on Day 1b 28.10.2022 03:22 by Jason Glatzer
Anastasios Apostolou
Anastasios Apostolou

The €500,000 guaranteed Malta Poker Festival (MPF) €550 Grand Final is off to a rocking start at Portomaso Casino. Today’s Day 1b attracted an action-packed field of 256 entries to bring the total up to 461 entries with three more opening flights to go when taking into account the 205 entries attracted on Day 1b.

A total of 67 players advanced to Day 2 via Day 1b after 13 blind levels and with the 47 survivors on Day 1a, this means that already 114 players have found a bag already into Sunday’s Day 2.

Greece’s Anastasios Apostolou not only bagged the Day 1b chip lead after finishing the day with 539,000, but he also surpassed the Daniel Taylor who ended Day 1a with the chip lead with 519,000 in chips. While no other player surpassed half a million chips on Day 1b, four other players did catapult their 50,000 chip opening stack into at least 400,000 including Bulgaria’s Zlatin Penev (465,000), Greece’s Ioannis Aslanidis (457,000), Poland’s Tomasz Kolewczynski (407,000), and Italy’s Gianmarco Pagliaro.

Other notable players to advance to Day 2 included Yossef Cohen (319,000), Koen Muestege (307,000), Kevin Houghton (250,000), Martin Piik (250,000), Mark Vella (171,000), Anne-Marie Yuen (169,000), The Hendon Mob’s Roland Boothby (157,000), and 2022 MPF Autumn Edition €225 HORSE champion Romain Nardin (156,000).

Boothby will have a couple of days off before the Grand Event continues for Day 2, which works out very well as he plans to play the €225 The Hendon Mob Championship taking place on Oct. 28-29 as part of the Malta Poker Festival.

Roland Boothby
Roland Boothby

Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts

PlacePlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Anastasios Apostolou539,000108
2Zlatin Penev465,00093
3Ioannis Aslanidis457,00091
4Tomasz Kolewczynski407,00081
5Gianmarco Pagliaro405,00081
6Arturas Bliudzius377,00075
7Raf De Wever371,00074
8Bjarke Matthiesen339,00068
9Yossef Cohen319,00064
10Damien Gayer311,00062

The Grand Event is all for the players and is limited to two re-entries per flight. In addition, late registration closes after Level 8 meaning that anyone getting into the action will start with a workable stack and not need to shove straight off the bat in order to gain some breathing room.

Today also boasted a €60 satellite for players looking to get into the Grand Event for pennies on the dollar along with the €225 Bounty Hunter Days Malta which attracted a huge field of 322 entries.

PokerListings will be back live reporting at the MPF at the start of Day 1b of the MPF Grand Event at 2 p.m. CEST. Tomorrow’s schedule also boasts the €230 Bounty Hunter Days Malta at 5 p.m. and a €60 Grand Event satellite at 8 p.m. Stay tuned at PokerListings for all of your Malta Poker Festival Grand Event updates until a winner is crowned.

Final Day 1b Chip Counts 28.10.2022 02:53 by Jason Glatzer
PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Anastasios Apostolou539,000108
Zlatin Penev465,00093
Ioannis Aslanidis457,00091
Tomasz Kolewczynski407,00081
Gianmarco Pagliaro405,00081
Arturas Bliudzius377,00075
Raf De Wever371,00074
Bjarke Matthiesen339,00068
Yossef Cohen319,00064
Damien Gayer311,00062
Koen Meutstege307,00061
Giulio Spampinato280,00056
Tomasz Piotr Brzezinski251,00050
Kevin Houghton250,00050
Martin Piik250,00050
Jan Jensen240,00048
Andrew Manduca228,00046
Marc Brazier226,00045
Christian Arstad215,00043
Steven Smith215,00043
Giuseppe Grupposo206,00041
Shanmugasundaram Jeyamohan200,00040
Robert A Perelman198,00040
Skipp Van Den Assem197,00039
Jeppe Bisgaard189,00038
Thomas Langeland178,00036
Jonathan Pastore178,00036
Giovanni Ventura178,00036
John Pogue176,00035
Andrea Stellato173,00035
Mark Vella171,00034
Ann-Marie Yuen169,00034
Shukri Mushahwar164,00033
James Mercieca161,00032
Erlend Melson160,00032
Roland Boothby157,00031
Romain Nardin156,00031
Piotr Rekawiecki154,00031
Steven Smart154,00031
Yvonne Hilser150,00030
Kyle Pullicino150,00030
Uwe Schreiber144,00029
Krzyztof Otlik142,00028
Sven Carlsson141,00028
Mike Alonso137,00027
Volker Lohs131,00026
Thomas Harnes131,00026
Barry Smyth129,00026
Pierre Jeffredo127,00025
Juliane Aram Papazian124,00025
Jonathan Walker114,00023
Craig Rose111,00022
Gaetano Brignone109,00022
Cherly Simmons109,00022
Jeoffrey Duytschaever105,00021
Marius Olsvik93,00019
Gruselle Loic92,00018
Per-Eirik Koi90,00018
Kevin Ralph Price79,00016
Holm Erdmann73,00015
Edvaldas Skyrius73,00015
Torgeir Hagmann65,00013
Tommy Lievens60,00012
Gianluigi Giuliani57,00011
Thomas Robinson50,00010
Geoffrey Desclee30,0006
Paul Malin30,0006
Players Bagging Chips 28.10.2022 00:52 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1b is in the books with several tables bagging up chips. Stay tuned for the final chip counts and a recap of the day.

Hellyer Doubles Through Kolewczynski 28.10.2022 00:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 13: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 82/256

Tomasz Kolewczynski opened for 8,000 from the cutoff. Shane Hellyer three-bet jammed the button for 48,000. Hellyer tanked for a minute before he announced a call.

Shane Hellyer: A K
Tomasz Kolewczynski: Q J

Hellyer was ahead the entire way and won the hand with Broadway after the A 10 J Q 3 ran out on the board.

Tomasz Kolewczynski – 260,000
Shane Hellyer – 110,000

Final Blind Level Begins 28.10.2022 00:12 by Jason Glatzer

Level 13: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 83/256

The final blind level of Day 1b has just begun with blinds at 2,000/4,000 along with a 4,000 big blind ante. After this blind level, most of the surviving players if not all will bag chips into Day 2.

Players that have 50,000 in chips or less will have the option to forfeit their stack. The benefit of this is purely a chance to get a better stack on the remaining three opening flights. However, any player that chooses to do so is also taking a risk that they don’t find a bag during any of the other opening flights.

It is solely up to the players what they decide to do in this situation. Best of luck to the remaining 83 players during the final blind level.

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Demircan Will be Back Tomorrow 28.10.2022 00:08 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 84/256

Serdar Demircan is one of the many friendly players that call Malta their home. Unfortunately, today wasn’t Demircan’s day but he shared he will be back to battle tomorrow. His final hand went as follows.

Demircan got his stack of around 80,000 in from the cutoff with K Q and was up against Krzyztof Piotr Otlik from one seat over with A K .

Demircan felt his time was up before the cards were turned over and was out of his seat after his opponent paired his ace on the 8 A 2 flop. Demircan was drawing dead after the 4 turn and was officially out of chips after the J river completed the board. Meanwhile, Otlik was up to 240,000 after the hand.

Serdar Demircan
Serdar Demircan
Tens No Good for Guedes 27.10.2022 23:54 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 91/256

Yossef Cohen opened for 7,000 from the cutoff and was called by Ann-Marie Yuen before Flavia Gomes Guedes three-bet jammed for about 10 big blinds. Philip Charles Christie four-bet shoved for about 90,000 from the blinds. Cohen and Yuen folded and the cards were turned over.

Flavia Gomes Guedes: A J
Philip Charles Christie: 10 10

Christie won the flip after Guedes bricked the 6 3 8 9 5 board and was out near the end of Level 12.

Philip Charles Christie – 130,000
Flavia Gomes Guedes – 0

Houghton “Quietly” Up to 350K 27.10.2022 23:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 96/256

Normally when Kevin Hougton is playing a tournament you can hear him tables away. Today, he would have gone unnoticed as he is being unusually quiet. Regardless he is back to his old tricks at the poker tables and up to around 350,000 in chips.

Houghton shared with us that he was at one point down to 2,000. We will try to get that story another time but that is a pretty sick turnaround.

He just took out Peter de Bruin on a coin flip as follows:

De Bruin open-jammed from early position for about 20 big blinds and was looked up by Houghton.

Peter de Bruin: 4 4
Kevin Houghton: A J

It appeared that de Bruin might make a small dent in Houghton stack after a safe 9 6 2 flop and an equally safe K turn. However, the J river improved Houghton to a better pair to eliminate de Bruin.

Final Break 27.10.2022 23:10 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on their final break of Day 1b. The blinds will increase to 1,500/3,000 with a big blind ante of 3,000 when the action resumes. After this level, is the final level of Day 1b with blinds at 2,000/4,000 with a big blind ante of 4,000.

We got to chat with Soner Vanelderen just before the break. He shared how great the festival is despite the brutal two-outer he took for a monster stack. He added that he will be back tomorrow to play Day 1c.

Stay tuned at PokerListings to see who bags chips into Day 2 via the Day 1b field.

Nikravan Doubles His Short Stack with Ten-Five Suited Before Hitting the Rail 27.10.2022 23:06 by Jason Glatzer

Level 11: 1,500/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 104/256

Davoud Nikravan doubled his short stack as follows. He jammed for 28,500 with 10 5 and was called by Mark Vella with A K .

The 10 J 8 2 7 board improved Nikravan to a pair of tens to double through Vella. Shortly after, he was seen leaving the room so his luck from this hand turned out to be short-lived.

Nikravan has been playing aggressively both Day 1a and Day 1b but hasn’t been able to get much going as he has gone through five bullets during that time. Perhaps tomorrow will be different if he decides to hop back in for Day 1c.

Mark Vella – 110,000
Davoud Nikravan – 0

Rockets Hold for Cohen 27.10.2022 22:57 by Jason Glatzer

Level 11: 1,500/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 116/256

Davoud Nikravan opened for 8,000 from early position and was called by John Pogue before Yossef Cohen jacked it up to 32,000. Both players called to see the ten-nine-eight rainbow flop.

Nikravan open-jammed for about 130,000. Pogue folded and Cohen called off his stack just north of 100,000.

Yossef Cohen – Pocket Aces
Davoud Nikravan – Pocket Sevens

Nikravan bricked the board and Cohen was up to 300,000 after the hand.

Boothby Doubles Through Wiesebrock 27.10.2022 22:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 131/256

We noticed Roland Boothby on around 140,000 which was about double the stack from the last time we saw his chips. Boothby was kind enough to give a short recap of how he doubled his stack.

With blinds still at 1,000/1,500, Boothby opened from the cutoff for 3,000 before he called a three-bet to 12,000 by Stefan Wiesebrock from the big blind. Boothby couldn’t recall the entire flop, but shared the Q was part of it along with two black cards.

Both players checked and the 7 was dealt on the turn. Wiesebrock check-called a bet of 12,000 and Boothby shared the 6 paired the board on the river. Boothby jammed for more than 40,000 and got a call. Boothby turned over A 10 for the nut flush. Although it was an all-in and a call, Wiesebrock didn’t show his cards and nobody at the table asked him to.

“He got really lucky,” Wiesebrock added after the hand was shared with a big smile on his face.

Roland Boothby – 140,000
Stefan Wiesebrock – 35,000

Mercieca Nails a Two Outer to Win Monster Pot Against Vanelderen 27.10.2022 22:03 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 138/256

There was 80,000 in the pot with the K 5 J on the board when Soner Vanelderen three-bet jammed for more than 70,000. James Mercieca called and some banter followed.

“Shall we do one at a time?” asked Vanelderen.

“If you have a king, turn it over,” replied Mercieca.

Vanelderen did show the king first before finally exposing he had A K . He was miles ahead with Mercieca subsequently turning over Q Q .

Mercieca got his miracle two outer after the Q spiked the turn but still had to sweat a four outs with Vanelderen having a slim chance of rivering Broadway. The A river completed the board to improve Vanelderen to top two pair. But this wasn’t enough to beat a set of queens and Vanelderen was down to crumbs after suffering through a horrible bad beat.

James Mercieca – 200,000
Soner Vanelderen – 5,000

Robinson Wins a Flip to Oust Schjetne 27.10.2022 21:51 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 145/256

Jorgen Schjetne opened for 3,500 from early position before Serdar Demircan called from the button. Thomas Robinson three-bet to 14,000 from the small blind and the action got even hotter with Schtjetne four-bet jamming for 50,000. Demircan got out of the way before Robinson snap-called.

Jorgen Schjetne: Q Q
Thomas Robinson: A K

Demircan told the table he folded ace-jack of diamond and was initially upset after he would have improved to top pair on the 9 J 7 flop. However, he soon relaxed understanding that he was still behind Schjetne’s overpair.

The 10 turn kept Schjetne ahead in the hand. However, that all changed after the A spiked the river to give Robinson the check mark.

“Good game,” Schjetne said to the table on his way out.

Meanwhile, Demircan began to shake off that although he would have gotten it in bad, he would have won the hand if he stayed in it.

Thomas Robinson – 200,000
Jorgen Schjetne – 0

HORSE Champ Nardin Makes a Hero Call for His Tournament Life 27.10.2022 21:35 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 150/256

Kamil Skawinski fired out for 20,000 into a pot of a bit more with the 5 3 6 5 K on the board. Romain Nardin, who won the €225 HORSE event earlier this festival for €4,000, went into the tank for several minutes as he had slightly less in his stack remaining.

Eventually, Nardin found a call and we can understand now why he was thinking. Skawinski was trying to steal the pot with 10 9 . Nardin saw through the bluff and called him down light with just A 4 to double his stack.

Kamil Skawinski – 90,000
Romain Nardin – 60,000

Day 1b Late Registration Closed 27.10.2022 21:17 by Jason Glatzer

Late registration is closed for Day 1b. The field attracted 256 entries with 158 players still in their seats. When combined with the 205 entries from Day 1a, the €500,000 guaranteed MPF Grand Event is already at 461 entries with three more opening flights to go.

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Big Turnout for the Bounty Hunter Days Malta 27.10.2022 21:14 by Jason Glatzer

During the break, we went downstairs to check out the €225 Bounty Hunter Days Malta one-day event. The room was packed with an amazing field of 322 entries.

This will likely end after the conclusion of tonight’s Grand Event Day 1b flight, so we will update you with the results of this event tomorrow. As of now, there were still 146 players contending for the title including Maximilian Damm, who we caught up on the Grand Event break with and shared that he is freerolling the tournament after already securing 2 1/2 bounties.

Meanwhile, Hannes Neurauter, who is on top of the Bounty Hunter Days leaderboard is also still in action with a chance to end the year-long leaderboard competition in style with a victory.

Break Time! 27.10.2022 20:56 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1b players just went on a short break. There is still time for last-second entries, however, late registration will be closed after the break.

Blinds will increase to 1,000/1,500 with a big blind ante of 1,500 when the action resumes.

Skawinski Saves Some Chips 27.10.2022 20:55 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 159/255

Geoffrey Desclee effectively jammed by tossing out a big pile of 5,000-denominated purple chips with about 60,000 in the pot and the 4 8 10 6 K on the board.

Kamil Skawinski, who had 21,000 left in his stack, went into the tank for several minutes before he opted to fold.

Desclee shared he had two-pair and a player at the table asked him to show. He wasn’t fibbing as he turned over the K 10 . Skawinski breathed a sigh of relief that he was able to save his tournament life even if with a short stack.

Geoffrey Desclee – 200,000
Kamil Skawinski – 21,000

Vella Wins a Flip with Queens to Oust Konstantinids 27.10.2022 20:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 158/250

Theodoros Konstantinids four-bet jammed for about 45,000. Mark Vella barely had him covered when he made the call.

Theodoros Konstantinids: A K
Mark Vella: Q Q

The board ran clean for the local hero Vella’s queens with the 10 7 6 J 5 running out on the board to effectively double his stack while sending Konstantinids to the rail.

“Good game,” said Konstantinids after the hand.

“Finally!” Vella said to this reporter as we both know each other from a handful of other poker events in Malta where he lives.

Skyrius Eliminates Hallner 27.10.2022 20:29 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 166/246

Edvaldas Skyrius checked with the 3 Q 4 6 on the board after the turn with under 10,000 in the pot. Bengt Hallner fired out for 5,500. Skyrius raised to 13,000 and Hallner went into the tank before he opted to jam for around 40,000. Skyrius had his opponent covered and quickly called.

Bengt Hallner: K K
Edvaldas Skyrius: 6 4

Skyrius was far behind before the flop but far ahead when the money went into the pot with his baby two-pair. Hallner still had a few outs to improve to either trips or a better two pair. The 7 river wasn’t one of his outs and Hallner headed to the rail.

Edvaldas Skyrius – 100,000
Bengt Hallner – 0

Evaldas Skyrius
Edvaldas Skyrius
Late Registration Closes After This Blind Level 27.10.2022 20:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 168/246

Level 8 has just kicked off with blinds at 600/1,200 along with a big blind ante of 1,200. This will be the final level of late registration for Day 1b.

Latest Day 1b Photos by Fiore Capuano 27.10.2022 20:18 by Jason Glatzer
A Premature “Nice Hand” 27.10.2022 20:09 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 170/243

Thomas Langeland opened for 2,200 from the button. Hafpor Sigmundsson three-bet jammed for about 15 big blinds from the big blind and Langeland called.

Hafpor Sigmundsson: K Q
Thomas Langeland: A 4

The Q 7 K flop put Sigmundsson miles ahead with top two pair.

“Nice hand,” said Sigmundsson as he was ready to pay his opponent off.

However, the hand wasn’t quite yet over. Langeland improved to top pair on the A turn but still needed some help. The help he needed came soon after with the 7 river pairing the board to improve Langeland to a better two pair to eliminate Sigmundsson.

Thomas Langeland – 70,000
Hafpor Sigmundsson – 0

Satellite Begins 27.10.2022 20:02 by Jason Glatzer

A €60 satellite to the Grand Event has just kicked off. Players will have plenty of time to still get in the action with late registration open for eight blind levels.

While many satellites turn into push/fold early on, this one has an amazing structure with 15,000 in starting chips and 20-minute blind levels. Good luck to everyone playing and see some of you in the Grand Event tomorrow.

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Persson Doubles Through Lievens 27.10.2022 19:59 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 175/241

Tommy Lievens opened for 2,500 from the cutoff and was called by Kato Eliassen from the small blind. Dan Persson squeezed for his stack of 16,500 from the big blind before Lievens came in over the top for around 45,000. Eliassen got out of the way and the cards were turned over.

Dan Persson: A J
Tommy Lievens: K Q

Persson nailed top pair on the 5 4 A flop but had to still sweat a flush draw. Neither the 8 turn nor the 3 river helped Lievens pull ahead and Persson doubled his stack.

After the hand, a player asked Eliassen what he folded.

“I had ace-ten suited,” Eliassen quickly replied as the dealer got ready for the next hand.

Dan Persson – 35,000
Tommy Lievens – 25,000

Langeland Runs Sevens Into Bellomonte’s Rockets 27.10.2022 19:49 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 176/237

A player opened for a little more than a min-raise before Davide Bellomonte flatted from the button. Thomas Langeland squeezed from the small blind for his stack of around 25,000. The original opener folded and Bellomonte, who laid a trap, made the easy call.

Thomas Langeland: 7 7
Davide Bellomonte: A A

Nothing fancy happened on the 8 J 8 3 10 board and Langeland was eliminated by Bellomonte.

Several players at the table complimented Bellomonte about his sneaky play with his rockets.

Davide Bellomonte – 140,000
Thomas Langeland – 0

Action Resumes 27.10.2022 19:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 175/232

Bellies are full and the Day 1b players are slowly making there way back to their seats with the first hand after the dinner break has already begun.

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Various Chip Counts at Dinner Break 27.10.2022 19:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 170/227

PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Jan Jensen225,000225
Arturas Bliudzius180,000180
Yossef Cohen180,000180
Peter De Bruin160,000160
Uwe Schreiber160,000160
Thomas Robinson153,000153
Andra Stellato150,000150
Andrew Manduca145,000145
Bjarke Matthiesen145,000145
Quentin Roussey140,000140
James Paris140,000140
Oyvind Stangnes140,000140
Dario Barone130,000130
Giuseppe Grupposo130,000130
Cherly Simmons130,000130
Shurkri Saliba130,000130
Christoph Moller128,000128
Noel Studer127,000127
Zlatin Penev125,000125
Kamil Skawinski120,000120
Anne-Marie Yuen120,000120
James Limmer115,000115
Skipp van den Assem112,000112
Liam Hamilton110,000110
Antonio Merone110,000110
Steven Smith110,000110
Luke Pace107,000107
Davoud Nikravan105,000105
Christopher Collins102,000102
Svitlana Derevliianko101,000101
Kyle Pollicino100,000100
Markus Volker100,000100
Jon Kyte99,00099
John Pogue95,00095
Michael Funk95,00095
Stefan Wiesebrock85,00085
Jesse Liligren82,00082
Lars-Magne Johansen79,00079
Henry Ferguson79,00079
Davide Belmonte76,00076
Jean-Pilippe Bouvier75,00075
Richard Sambron75,00075
Gruselle Loic75,00075
Riku Maatta71,00071
Antonio Gassiraro70,00070
Per Eirik Koi61,00061
Dinner Break 27.10.2022 18:35 by Jason Glatzer

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Players are now on a 75-minute dinner break. We will update you during the break with some of the bigger stacks from around the room.

“Thank You for Playing” 27.10.2022 18:15 by Jason Glatzer

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 177/224

There were four players active preflop with about 22,000 already in the pot when three players checked after the 6 3 6 appeared on the flop. Jan Jensen fired out for 13,600 and Matthew Adams jammed for more than 60,000. Two other players got out of the way. Jensen, who had Adams more than covered, called.

Matthew Adams: J J
Jan Jensen: K K

Jensen was far ahead leaving Adams with just two outs. Neither the A turn nor the 2 river helped Adams and Jensen had all his chips.

“Thank you for playing,” Jensen said to Adams after the hand.

Jan Jensen – 260,000
Matthew Adams – 0

The Battle of the Jameses 27.10.2022 18:07 by Jason Glatzer

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 181/224

James Paris and James Limmer both have around double starting stacks and got tangled up in a hand. Limmer fired out for 9,000 into a pot of nearly 15,000 with the 5 2 8 10 8 on the board. Paris went into the tank before he found a call.

Limmer turned over Q J for a bricked flush draw and Paris made the correct hero call with bottom pair with A 2 to win the hand.

James Paris – 115,000
James Limmer – 95,000

Attend a Hypno Therapy Session at the Malta Poker Festival 27.10.2022 17:46 by Jason Glatzer

We just sat down with Hypno Therapy guru Ilze Zolte who is in Malta with well-known British poker player Craig Smith. She will be hosting a hypno therapy session on Saturday at 11 a.m. We hope to to be awake in time after many long days to attend ourselves.

Why not use the Malta Poker Festival to unlock your true potential and utilize your super-powerful subconscious mind. Ilze Zolte is hosting an exclusive 40-minute hypnosis session designed to provide you with the ultimate edge to mentally prepare you for the tables. 

Ilze has trained with world-renowned hypnotherapists including Elliot Roe, His poker clients (including Fedor Holz) have won over $100,000,000 and nearly every major tournament title, including the World Series of Poker Main Event. 

This is your opportunity to mentally prepare yourself for success and develop an ideal mindset. The world’s best poker players are benefiting from improving their mindset with hypnosis,  so why shouldn’t you?

You will be razor-sharp and focused before you sit down at the table. In the session subconscious “anchors” will be installed to reduce anxieties and stresses going into the game. 

Take back control of your emotions, eradicate limiting beliefs, and become hyper-focused, patient, and confident.

See MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre for more information and to book your spot.

Hypno Therapist Ilze Zolte
Hypno Therapist Ilze Zolte
Penev Doubles Through Attard with a Set of Sixes 27.10.2022 17:41 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 190/223

Zlatin Penev jammed for 32,200 with around 50,000 in the pot and the 6 3 8 10 2 on the board.

“How much,” asked Mark Attard.

The dealer counted out the stack and Attard went into the tank for about 3 minutes before he called.

Penev turned over 6 6 . Attard tapped the table before he said “nice hand.”

Shortly after, Attard showed he lost the hand with the best possible preflop hold’em hand with A A .

Zlatin Penev – 110,000
Mark Attard – 35,000

Set of Fives Holds for Decesare to Oust Mortensen 27.10.2022 17:18 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 192/218

Sebastian Mortensen checked with 10,000 in the pot and the 5 10 J 6 on the board after the turn. The action picked up from there. Cheryl Taylor bet 5,000 before Shaun Decesare raised to 12,500. Mortensen came in over the top for 35,000 and Decesare called.

Sebastian Mortensen: Q 9
Shaun Decesare: 5 5

Decesare was in the lead with a set of fives but Mortensen held both a flush draw and an open-ended straight draw for a sweat. Neither of those draws was completed. Instead, the A river completed the board and Mortensen was on the rail.

Mortensen will give today another chance as he immediately got back into the action with a re-entry after losing his first stack.

Shaun Decesare – 113,000
Sebastian Mortensen – 50,000

More Day 1b Photos by MPF Photographer Fiore Capuano 27.10.2022 17:00 by Jason Glatzer
It’s Bounty Time! 27.10.2022 16:58 by Jason Glatzer

The numbers are great for the MPF Grand Event with more than 400 entries already including 209 entries already today. But this isn’t the only big event of the day as the €230 Bounty Hunter Days Malta is about to begin at 5 p.m.

We spoke with many players during the first three days of the festival and learned from a handful that they came out special just for the bounty event. It was similar two nights while this reporter was playing the HORSE event as he learned players came as far as New York just for the chance to play a limit event with some of the legends on the island.

Best of luck to everyone hopping into today’s bounty action.

Browne Dusts Off his Short Stack 27.10.2022 16:55 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 194/209

James Browne jammed his final 5,500 into a pot of 4,500 with the 4 6 6 on the board after the flop and was called by Eirik Presttun.

James Browne: A 2
Eirik Presttun: 8 8

Browne got out of his chair before he officially lost the hand and his first stack before he bricked both the J turn and 3 river. Although he lost his first bullet of Day 1b, he immediately got back into the action for a fresh stack of 50,000 in chips.

James Browne – 50,000
Eirik Presttun – 45,000

How Big Will the MPF Grand Event Be? 27.10.2022 16:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 197/209

Day 1b has already reached 209 entries. This surpasses the impressive turnout on Day 1a which attracted 205 entries.

As we mentioned yesterday, it appears the lofty €500,000 guarantee slapped on the MPF Autumn Edition Grand Event will be met and will likely surpass the 1,014 entries that participated earlier this year during the MPF Spring Edition Grand Event. At this point, it appears to be just be a matter of how big the Malta Poker Festival Grand Event will be.

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Kevmath in the House! 27.10.2022 16:32 by Jason Glatzer

We earlier mentioned a hand by Roland Boothby, an industry insider working for The Hendon Mob that cares about the players. Another hero just arrived in The Hendon Mob’s Kevin Mathers, better known on Twitter as simply Kevmath.

For well over a decade, Kevmath has provided tons of updates about events taking place mostly in the USA. Even this journalist goes to his Twitter over the years for some breaking news and it was a pleasure to see him after meeting him more than a decade ago.

It picks up a notch for Kevmath during the WSOP where he takes control of their Twitter account and is known as the WSOP Twitter Czar.

Although we will likely not see Kevmath in the Grand Event, our hero will be playing the two-day The Hendon Mob €230 Championship on Oct. 28-29. We wish Kevmath the best of luck when he gets on the tables. For now, it is his first time in Malta so he is exploring the casino with his colleagues and will find time to explore the island after The Hendon Mob Championship.

Quads for Decesare 27.10.2022 16:26 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 192/202

We chatted with several of the players on the break including Shaun Decesare who shared a hand that brought his stack up to 63,000 in chips.

Decesare shared that he flopped a set with eights after it went four-way to the jack-ten-eight flop with two clubs. Decesare bet 1,100 and one of his opponents raised to 4,000. Decesare called and another eight came on the turn to improve Decesare to quads.

Decesare check-called a bet of 9,000 before the nine of clubs completed the board on the river. Both players checked and Decesare shared that he was obviously hoping that his opponent would bet the river in that spot. His opponent mucked his hand after he saw Decesare’s quad eights.

Best of luck to Shaun in his quest for the MPF Grand Event title.

Break Time 27.10.2022 16:05 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on their first break of Day 1b. Blinds will increase to 200/400 with a big blind ante of 400 when the action resumes.

Aggression Pays Off for Degen 27.10.2022 15:54 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 185/190

Jonas Degen bet 4,500 into a pot of 7,000 with the Q 3 K and was called by Shukri Saliba. The 6 followed on the turn and Degen bet 11,000. This time, Saliba folded.

Degen showed us that he was bluffing with A J and said we could share the hand.

Jonas Degen – 70,000
Shukri Saliba – 40,000

Glenn Andersen Wins the MPF One Bullet (€4,475) 27.10.2022 15:35 by Jason Glatzer

Last night, Norway’s Glenn Andersen won the €150 MPF One Bullet for €4,475 after making a heads-up deal with Netherlands’ Henricus Bouwmans. Bouwmans also managed to collect €4,475 as part of the deal.

Andersen wasn’t the only Norwegian to go deep as Jonas Engedal finished in third place for €2,750, while Marius Olsvik just missed the podium with a fourth-place performance to bank €2,060.

Here is a look at all of the final table payouts of the MPF One Bullet.

PlacePlayerPrize
1Glenn Andersen€4,475
2Henricus Bouwmans€4,475
3Jonas Engedal€2,750
4Marius Olsvik€2,060
5James Paris€1,500
6Jonathan Walker€1,200
7Stephane Emin€940
8Jeffrey Gregor€690
9Paul Monaghan€590
Stangnes Picks Off Dalgaard’s Bluff 27.10.2022 15:28 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 175/178

Local hero Mark Vella and Christoph Moller both recently hit the rail to leave 175 players remaining out of the 178 entries and counting in the field.

In other news, Oyvind Stangnes just picked off a bluff by Soren Dalgaard as follows:

Dalgaard over-bet the 4,400 pot with the 7 9 Q 8 3 on the board with a bet of 5,200. Stangnes went into the tank while also thinking out loud.

“Maybe he missed his flush draw,” shared Stangnes.

About a minute later, Stangnes opted to call and was pleased with his read.

Dalgaard indeed bricked a flush draw with J 7 and the pot went over to Stangnes after he turned over J J .

Oyvind Stangnes – 53,000
Soren Dalgaard – 40,000

Nikravan First on the Rail 27.10.2022 15:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 166/167

Davoud Nikravan was active during yesterday’s Day 1a and was back at it again today with some aggression. Unfortunately, this led to Nikravan becoming the first player to the rail in a hand against Samuel Vaananen.

Vaananen and others at the table relayed how it all went down while we were watching a hand at another table across the room.

Nikravan opened for 1,100 before he called a three-bet by Vaananen to 2,200. Nikravan donk-bet for 5,000 on the king-queen-trey flop and Vaananen called. A ten followed on the turn and Vaananen made an untimely jam for 15,000. Vaananen made the easy call and the cards were turned over.

Davoud Nikravan – Ace-Seven
Samuel Vaananen – Jack-Nine

Vaananen held a straight and had Nikravan drawing dead. A five completed the board on the river and Nikravan was out of chips on his first bullet of the day and his fourth overall after firing the maximum of three bullets yesterday. We wish Nikravan better luck with his fifth try.

Samuel Vaanenen – 72,000
Davoud Nikravan – 50,000

Loic Heads to Broadway 27.10.2022 15:06 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 160/160

Gruselle Loic bet 12,500 into a pot of around 20,000 with the Q K J 4 2 on the board. George Deguara tanked for close to a minute before he opted to call.

Loic turned over A 10 for a Broadway straight. Deguara could have mucked his cards but instead, he showed he flopped the top two pair with K Q .

“Nice hand,” Deguara gentlemanly said to Loic after the hand.

Gruselle Loic – 60,000
George Deguara – 27,000

Did Boothby Just Share a Bad Beat Story? 27.10.2022 14:54 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 150/150

The Day 1b field has blossomed to 150 entries at the start of Level 2. We caught up briefly with The Hendon Mob’s Roland Boothby, who is just above a starting stack. It sounds like it could be more after he shared his third hand of the day.

Boothby shared he had aces when he opened from early position before Craig Rose defended his big blind. Rose check-called a bet of 1,500 by Boothby after the nine-six-three appeared on the flop. Another nine came on the turn that not only paired the board but would have completed a flush draw. This killed the action as both players checked both this and a blank low-card river.

Boothby’s aces were good after Rose turned over kings. Boothby agreed with this reporter when I said this sounds like a hidden bad beat story as normally the pots, even early on, would be massive when it’s aces versus kings.

We wish the best of luck to Boothby as he is one of the poker industry’s heroes. We also look forward to The Hendon Mob €225 Championship taking place as part of The Malta Poker Festival on Oct. 28-29.

Roland Boothby – 55,000
Craig Rose – 43,000

Roland Boothby
Roland Boothby
Wheel Turns into a Flush for Simmons 27.10.2022 14:37 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 134/134

Cherly Simmons fired out a bet of 10,000 into a pot of 20,000 with the 2 9 4 3 J already on the board. Joanna Bart, who fired the maximum three bullets unsuccessfully before the first break on Day 1a, went into the tank before finding a call.

Simmons turned over A 5 for the nut-flush. She also was likely good before the river as after the turn she already had the second nuts with a wheel.

Cherly Simmons – 75,000
Joanna Bart – 30,000

“Well, That Was a Bad Start” 27.10.2022 14:22 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 116/116

Don’t be afraid of the title as we aren’t talking about the Grand Event being off to a bad start. In fact, it is off to an amazing start with the Day 1b field already at 116 entries. The title is referring to the following hand.

 Ivar Bruvoll Vamrak bet 3,600 into a pot of around double the amount with the 4 3 10 J Q on the board. Francesco Aru raised to 15,000. Vamrak thought for a few moments before he made the call.

Aru was the first to turn over his cards and showed Q Q for the top set. Vamrak could have mucked his cards but wanted to show he had a set as well with 3 3 and was two-outed on the river.

“Well, that was a bad start,” Vamrak said to the table after the hand.

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Cards in the Air for Day 1b 27.10.2022 14:08 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 106/106

Cards are in the air after introductions by MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre and the Tournament Director Danilo De Berardinis.

It is looking like a banner turnout even for the first opening flight with the field already at 106 entries and counting with late registration not closing until the start of Level 9.

Welcome to Day 1b of the €500K MPF Grand Event 27.10.2022 12:08 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer

Welcome back to the PokerListings’ coverage of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival (MPF) Autumn Edition €550 Grand Event Powered by partypoker with the second of five opening flights set to kick off at 2 p.m. CEST.

The €500,000 guarantee on the Grand Event is likely just a placeholder based on yesterday’s Day 1a which attracted a banner field of 205 entries. Daniel Taylor bagged the biggest stack of the 47 survivors and will head to Day 2 with 519,000 in chips.

The Grand Event features five opening flights from Oct. 26-29. Those surviving from any open flights will compete for two more days on Oct. 30-31 until a winner is eventually crowned on Halloween. The first four opening flights, including today’s Day 1b, boast 13 blind levels of 40-minutes each giving players plenty of time to build a massive stack. The final opening flight will be a turbo-charged affair boasting 20-minute blind levels with an ending time to be determined based on the average stack sizes of the other opening flights.

The MPF is all about the players as can be evidenced in the fact that this event doesn’t feature unlimited re-entries and late registration closing at a reasonable time after Level 8 of each day. That being said, if players have some bad luck early on and don’t want to wait for another opening flight to get back into the Grand Event, they can re-enter twice each day before late registration closes.

Those finding a bag during any of the opening flights will enjoy an even deeper structure with 50-minute blinds on Day 2 and even longer 60-minute blind levels on the final day.

Players can also join a contest hosted by PokerDeals where they can win back their €550 buy-in along with plenty of other goodies. There will be flyers with instructions at each table about how to participate.

Day 1b Structure

Day 1b of the MPF Grand Event kicks off at 2 p.m. CEST and is estimated to end about 11 hours later at 1 a.m. Check out the structure for all the opening flights below.

LevelSmall BlindBig BlindAnte
1100100100
2100200200
3200300
15-Minute Break
4200400400
5300600600
6400800800
75-Minute Dinner Break
75001,0001,000
86001,2001,200
15-Minute Break
98001,6001,600
101,0002,0002,000
111,5002,5002,500
15-Minute Break
121,5003,0003,000
132,0004,0004,000

Tons of Side Events

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The MPF Grand Event is the cornerstone of the festival. However, there are plenty of side events, satellites, and around-the-clock cash games in different formats and stakes to provide something for every poker player.

In addition to Day 1b of the Grand Event, today will also feature the €230 Bounty Hunter Days Malta at 5 p.m. and a €60 MPF Grand Event satellite at 8 p.m.

Here is a look at the full schedule of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition:

DateTimeBuy-inEvent
Oct. 247 p.m.€60Opening Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 256 p.m.€230HORSE Powered by Cardplayer Lifestyle
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€100NL Texas Special
Oct. 262 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1a Powered by partypoker
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€150MPF One Bullet
Oct. 272 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1b Powered by partypoker
5 p.m.€230Bounty Hunter Days Malta
8 p.m€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 282 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1c Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€225The HendonMob Championship Day 1
6 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
8 p.m.€150Deepstack Fulltilt Catania
Oct. 291 p.m.The HendonMob Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1d Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€100Ladies First! Hosted by Katie Swift
5 p.m.€120APAT Maltese Championship Day 1
8 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Satellite
9 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1e Turbo Powered by partypoker
Oct. 301 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 2 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.APAT Maltese Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Turbo Satellite
4 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 1
5 p.m.€150Sunday Deep Stack by Stanley Bet
7 p.m.€200PLO Knight Crusaders
8 p.m.€330The PartyPoker Cup
Oct. 312 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 3 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 2
3 p.m.€120Bounty Hunter Days Progressive Closer
7 p.m.€150Win the Spooky Cross Hosted by Ivonne Montealegre

Our coverage will kick off when cards are in the air for Day 1b shortly after 2 p.m. Stay tuned to PokerListings for all of your updates.

Danilo De Berardinis & Ivonne Montealegre
Danilo De Berardinis & Ivonne Montealegre
Daniel Taylor Bags the Day 1a Chip Lead 27.10.2022 02:22 by Jason Glatzer
Daniel Taylor
Daniel Taylor

The €500,000 guaranteed Malta Poker Festival (MPF) Autumn Edition €550 Grand Event Powered by partypoker kicked off in style with 205 entries hopping into action on Day 1a at the luxurious Portomaso Casino. This crushed the 118 entries attracted during Day 1a of the MPF Grand Event Spring Edition which eventually attracted 1,014 entries.

Daniel Taylor was the star of the day after bagging the biggest stack among the 47 Day 1a survivors and will head to Sunday’s Day 2 with a massive stack of 519,000 in chips. Just behind Taylor was Johannes Erfurth who will enter Day 2 with 500,000 in chips with Steffan Lind (497,000), James Clarke (489,000), and Stavros Tsakas (450,000) also parlaying their opening stacks of 50,000 in chips to huge stacks.

In other big news, the defending MPF Grand Event champion Marthijn Lakerveld finds himself in a great position to become the first two-time MPF Grand Event champion after collecting a healthy stack of 364,000 in chips.

Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts

PlacePlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Daniel Taylor519,000104
2Johannes Erfurth500,000100
3Staffan Lind497,00099
4James Clarke489,00098
5Stavros Tsakas450,00090
6Timothe Busso422,00084
7Davide Iannaco387,00077
8Marthijn Lakerveld364,00073
9Bruce Shannon341,00068
10Ted Johansson294,00059
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The Grand Event is all for the players and is limited to two re-entries per flight. In addition, late registration closes after Level 8 meaning that anyone getting into the action will start with a workable stack and not need to shove straight off the bat in order to gain some breathing room.

Today also boasted a €60 satellite for players looking to get into the Grand Event for pennies on the dollar along with the €150 MPF Freezeout. The Freezeout turned out to be a popular event as many players liked the idea of a poker tournament with no re-entries and we promise to update you tomorrow with the outcome.

PokerListings will be back live reporting at the MPF at the start of Day 1b of the MPF Grand Event at 2 p.m. CEST. Tomorrow’s schedule also boasts the €230 Bounty Hunter Days Malta at 5 p.m. and a €60 Grand Event satellite at 8 p.m. Stay tuned at PokerListings for all of your Malta Poker Festival Grand Event updates until a winner is crowned.

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Final Day 1a Chip Counts 27.10.2022 02:08 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1a attracted 205 entries with 47 players surviving. Daniel Taylor leads the way with a stack of 519,000 followed by Johannes Erfurth with 500,000. Here is a look at the final chip counts of the 47 Day 1a survivors.

PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Daniel Taylor519,000104
Johannes Erfurth500,000100
Staffan Lind497,00099
James Clarke489,00098
Stavros Tsakas450,00090
Timothe Busso422,00084
Davide Iannaco387,00077
Marthijn Lakerveld364,00073
Bruce Shannon341,00068
Ted Johansson294,00059
Jerome Moreau291,00058
Dario Marinelli273,00055
Sebastian Rebhan243,00049
Christian Kempf242,00048
Jose Vicente Garcia Chaques223,00045
Rouhin Arian210,00042
Thomas Wilshaw210,00042
Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo206,00041
Julian Sacco194,00039
Ronnie Cohen193,00039
Roland Alakji192,00038
Florian Ribouchon191,00038
Daniel Knote177,00035
Pavle Pecelj177,00035
Robert Tahirovic176,00035
Corentin Jean-Yves Alain Viaud172,00034
Michal Maciej Zagrodnik165,00033
Tom Deschuytter164,00033
Hakan Uzun161,00032
Raphael Toledo153,00031
Giacomo Ferrara152,00030
Domenico Tortomasi144,00029
Mark Cousin142,00028
Linda Susan Mc Cabe141,00028
Glen Gaines138,00028
Stephane Poisson137,00027
Johan Nils Torp137,00027
Antoine Talvard135,00027
Dieter Aebi128,00026
Daniel Mountford128,00026
Isvi Cohen106,00021
Pierre Christiaens99,00020
Jerry Evald Niklas Johansson91,00018
Petter Redemo90,00018
Angelo Vietti86,00017
Robrecht Winterink86,00017
Juan Andres Moreno Rodriguez63,00013
Final Three Hands 27.10.2022 00:45 by Jason Glatzer

The floor just announced that the day will end after three more hands. We will provide the final chip counts shortly after the end of the day.

Monster Stack Staffan Lind 27.10.2022 00:19 by Jason Glatzer

Level 13: 2,000/4,000 (4,000)
Entries: 53/205

Staffan Lind (no relation to Totti Lind) appears to have the chip lead with 570,000 in chips. He already had a monster stack even before the following hand.

Nils Torp check-raised from 12,500 to 28,000 with the 5 K 7 8 on the board and about 40,000 in the pot and was called by Lind. Both players checked the A river. Torp turned over 8 6 for a pair of eights. This wasn’t good enough as Lind managed to take down the hand with a pair of kings after turning over K J .

Staffan Lind – 570,000
Nils Torp – 100,000

Cooler City for Schallock 27.10.2022 00:01 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 57/205

We try to remain impartial when reporting but it is natural to root for certain people including Caroline Schallock who we had the pleasure to speak with during the break.

We feel her pain after grinding a long day only to lose most of her stack on a cooler.

Schallock recapped the hand which we later spoke to her opponent Bruce Shannon. The duo got their stacks in the middle for a pot approaching 300,000 with Schallock holding ace-ten and Shannon holding ten-eight from the big blind on a board with two tens and an eight. Shannon’s full house proved to be good and Schallock was down to a handful of big blinds.

The rest of her stack went in with ace-jack against ace-king. No love came on the board and Schallock will need to try again during another opening flight for a chance to advance to Day 2. Tomorrow won’t be that day as Schallock plans to play the €230 Bounty Hunter Days Malta tomorrow at 5 p.m. Schallock has prioritized that event since she is currently in third place on the Bounty Hunter Days Leaderboard.

Bruce Shannon – 280,000
Caroline Schallock – 0

Full House for Cohen 26.10.2022 23:47 by Jason Glatzer

Level 12: 1,500/3,000 (3,000)
Entries: 60/205

Two players checked with the J J 7 J on the board and about 50,000 in the pot before Timothe Busso fired out for 16,500. Isvi Cohen called and Julian Sacco folded.

Cohen led out for a small bet of 5,000 after the 3 river completed the board. Busso went into the tank for more than a minute before he made the call. Cohen turned over 9 9 for a full house with jacks over nines. This was good enough as Busso instantly mucked his cards after he saw his opponent’s hand.

Despite losing this hand, Busso is still among the big stacks with 320,000 in chips while Cohen is at around 140,000 with a little more than an hour left on Day 1a.

Strike Three for Nikravan 26.10.2022 23:16 by Jason Glatzer

Level 11: 1,500/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 71/205

Davoud Nikravan was running well on his first bullet and eventually got his stack up to 150,000 in the early part of the day. He was playing aggressively to get this stack and his aggression continued before he eventually lost his first bullet. He lost his second bullet before late registration was over and opted to get back in for the flight’s limit for his third bullet.

Nikravan just lost his stack and will have to try again during one of the next four opening flights for a chance to find a bag to Day 2. He lost his final bullet as follows.

Nikravan open-jammed for nearly 60,000 into a spread pot of around 100,000 with the 2 Q 3 8 on the board. Timothe Busso asked for a count and went into the tank for a minute before making the call.

Timothe Busso: Q 10
Davoud Nikravan: 5 3

Nikravan was behind but there were still a handful of cards on the river that could help him win the hand. The 2 river that completed the board was not one of them and Busso won a huge pot to soar to the top of the leaderboard.

Timothe Busso – 375,000
Davoud Nikravan – 0

Garry Moore Wins NL Texas Special (€2,800) 26.10.2022 23:05 by Jason Glatzer

Late last night, Ireland’s Garry Moore won the second trophy of the Malta Poker Festival after outlasting a field of 138 entries including defeating Samuel Vaananen heads-up to win the €100 NL Texas Special for €2,800.

Here is a look at all of the final table results from the event.

PlacePlayerPrize
1Garry Moore€2,800
2Samuel Vaananen€1,900
3Oyvind Stanges€1,300
4Roald Olsen€970
5Alkan Aydingoz€750
6Manuel Roy€630
7Mohamed Turki€520
8Christopher Lyden€430
9Marc Brazier€340

Brutal River for Klat 26.10.2022 23:01 by Jason Glatzer

Level 11: 1,500/2,500 (2,500)
Entries: 78/205

Olivier Klat jammed 51,000 into a pot of slightly less with the J 3 3 2 on the board. Dario Marinelli went into the tank for close than two minutes during which time he asked for a count. He eventually made the call and Klat was miles ahead.

Olivier Klat: Q J
Dario Marinelli: J 10

Despite being ahead, Marinelli connected with his ten to win the hand with top two pair after the 10 spiked the river and Klat immediately left the poker room after losing his stack.

Dario Marinelli – 200,000
Olivier Klat – 0

Final Day 1a Break 26.10.2022 22:30 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1a players are on their final break of the day. Blinds will increase to 1,500/2,500 with a big blind ante when the action resumes.

Two more levels including 1,500/3,000 and 2,000/4,000 will also be played after the break. After these three blind levels, surviving players will bag chips into Day 2.

Some players may not opt to have a bag as players can forfeit their stack if they have under a starting stack and are not happy with what they ended the day with. These players can try again during one of the other four opening flights.

“That’s the Way it Goes” 26.10.2022 22:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 90/205

Janos Ulbert and James Clarke both checked the 7 9 A flop with about 25,000 in the pot before Jeppe Bisgaard fired out for 10,000.

Ulbert folded and Clarke called to see the 9 turn. Both players checked before Clarke fired out for 28,000 after the 10 river completed the board. Bisgaard thought things over for about a minute before he called. Clarke instantly turned over J 8 and completed his gotshot straight draw on the river. Bisgaard could have mucked but showed he was ahead until the last card after showing the table his A 10 .

“That’s the way it goes,” Bisgaard said as he got ready for the next hand.

James Clarke – 290,000
Jeppe Bisgaard – 50,000

Jeppe Bisgaard
Jeppe Bisgaard
Schweigl Loses his Short Stack 26.10.2022 21:59 by Jason Glatzer

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 105/205

Andreas Schweigl had his short stack of 4,000 in the pot before the 8 K 6 flop against three other players. Mark Cousin jammed for 68,500 which sent last night’s HORSE winner Romain Nardin into the tank for several minutes.

“How much?” Nardin asked.

He was told the amount and folded after another minute. Meanwhile, Vincent Keen also folded for a heads-up showdown with two more cards to come.

Andreas Schweigl: A 10
Mark Cousin: A K

Cousin was ahead and had his opponent drawing dead after the 3 turn.

“Good game,” Scheweigl told to his table after the Q river completed the board and he was out of chips.

Mark Cousin – 100,000
Andreas Schweigl – 0

Queens for Talvard 26.10.2022 21:46 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 109/205

Mike Alonso opened for 3,500 from under the gun before Salvatore Ritrovato three-bet jammed for around 20 big blinds from one seat over. Antoine Talvard jammed a huge stack of around 130,000 from late position and Alonso folded.

Salvatore Ritrovato: A 8
Antoine Talvard: Q Q

Talvard’s queens held on the 9 7 J 3 9 board but called the floor while the board was still running out to discuss another matter. He piled up his chips as he discussed the rules with the floor about calling the clock on players.

Antoine Talvard – 175,000
Salvatore Ritrovato – 0

Seiler Busy Programming During the Grand Event 26.10.2022 21:32 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 112/205

This reporter has covered hundreds of events both as a reporter and a commentator and has been to countless others as a player. It is hard for something to happen at a poker tournament at the tables that I haven’t seen before.

Jonatan Seiler has the honor of having this reporter do a double take as he had his computer out. This is rare as well but not unique as occasionally we have seen players play online poker or some other game while also playing at the live tables. However, what made this unique is that Seiler was busy programming while playing today’s Day 1a.

Whether or not programming is affecting his play is up for debate, but he does have more than a starting stack with around 75,000 in chips. Best of luck to Seiler in completing his programming while also progressing to Day 2 of the Grand Event.

Pazemeckas Shares His Path to a Big Stack 26.10.2022 21:22 by Jason Glatzer

Level 9: 1,000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 113/205

Late registration is closed with the Day 1a field officially attracting a banner field of 205 entries! Gytis Pazemeckas and Roland Alakji both appear to be neck-and-neck for the chip lead with stacks approaching 300,000.

We approached Pazemeckas just after the break to both practice our Lithuanian and to get the story behind his success. He shared a hand that took place more than an hour ago.

Pazemeckas said he had king-three offsuit when he bet 6,000 with his two pair on the 3 K 5 flop. Two players called before a third player jammed for 20,000. Pazemeckas and the chip leader at the table at the time both called to see the 7 turn.

Pazemeckas jammed and was called by his opponent with K 10 , while the shorter stacked player that was all-in on the flop held A J .

Pazemeckas faded both players when a blank card he can’t remember completed the board on the river.

Sėkmės (Good luck in Lithuanian) to Pazemeckas on the rest of his MPF Grand Event journey and ačiū (thank you) for sharing your path to early success.

Gytis Pazemeckas
Gytis Pazemeckas
Get Up and Stretch 26.10.2022 20:52 by Jason Glatzer

Players are now on a 15-minute break. Blinds will increase to 1,000/1,500 with a big blind ante of 1,500 when the action resumes.

“You Lost the Minimum” 26.10.2022 20:51 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 119/205

Davide Iannaco opened for 2,500 from the cutoff. Bozena Skalska called from the small blind before Ronnie Cohen three-bet to 7,500 from the big blind. Iannaco and Skalska both opted to call to see the 5 7 3 flop.

Cohen led out for 6,000 after Skalska checked and both his opponents called. Skalska opted to lead out for 10,000 on the 7 turn and both players called. All three players checked the 10 river and the cards were turned over.

Skalska first turned over 6 6 and was quickly ruled out from winning the pot after Cohen turned over K K . Nearly the entire table was dazzled after Iannaco turned over Q Q as he could have lost much more with this hand especially considering the board.

“You lost the minimum,” Cohen said in a congratulatory tone to Iannaco. “You literally only lost the minimum.”

Ronnie Cohen – 190,000
Davide Iannaco – 90,000
Bozena Skalska – 80,000

Davide Iannaco
Davide Iannaco
Why Not Play a Freezeout? 26.10.2022 20:38 by Jason Glatzer

Freezeouts are a rare breed with re-entry events dominating both the live and online poker scene for more than a decade. If you are jonesing to play a freezeout, now is a unique opportunity with the MPF One Bullet kicking off at 9 p.m.

As the title describes, there will be no re-entry allowed for players that lose their opening stack. Thankfully, if you are running late, there are eight levels of late registration.

You also can’t beat this structure for just a €150 buy-in with 25-minute blind levels. Best of luck to everyone getting into the MPF One Bullet and may the best player of the night win.

Cowboys for Amirante 26.10.2022 20:35 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 125/201

Michele Amirante four-bet jammed for nearly 50,000 before Davoud Nikravan, who at one point had around 150,000 in chips, called off his stack for a little bit less.

Davoud Nikravan: 7 7
Michele Amirante: K K

Unfortunately for Nikravan, this isn’t a bad beat story. Instead, Amirante’s cowboys held against sevens with the 4 8 3 A 4 appearing on the board.

Michele Amirante – 100,000
Davoud Nikravan – 0

Fours No Good for Brenden 26.10.2022 20:31 by Jason Glatzer

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 126/201

Last night, this author was playing some limit mixed cash games with a number of players including Norway’s Oystein Brenden. Unfortunately, we just saw Brenden’s demise with his first bullet in the Grand Event as follows.

Brenden open-jammed for 14,600 from early position and was looked up by Johannes Erfurth.

Oystein Brenden: 4 4
Johannes Erfurth: Q Q

The 2 Q 6 7 8 was of no use for Brendon and was eliminated by Erfurth who was far ahead the entire way before ending the hand with a set of queens.

“Can I still re-enter?” Brenden immediately asked after losing his stack.

He was told he could, so we may see Brenden back in action still today.

Johannes Erfurth – 100,000
Oystein Brenden – 0

Biland Wins Battle of Short Stacks with Big Slick 26.10.2022 20:14 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 132/200

Samuel Biland three-bet jammed for 8,000 from the hijack and was called by Mikael Blomfell, who originally opened from early position.

Samuel Biland: 10 9
Mikael Blomfell: A K

Biland was ahead and doubled through Blomfell after nailed top two pair on the A K 6 J J runout.

200 Day 1a Entries! 26.10.2022 20:09 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1a has been absolutely rocking the Portomaso Casino with big numbers for the first of five opening flights. The field has reached 200 entries with 133 players still in their seats.

This number will grow, but likely not by much, with late registration closing in less than an hour. Regardless of the final number, it is already very impressive that the Day 1a field has already nearly doubled the Day 1a field in the MPF Spring Edition Grand Event which attracted 118 entries on its first opening flight.

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Moreau Felts Papanikitas 26.10.2022 20:00 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 136/197

Giorgos Papanikitas checked before Jerome Moreau fired out 16,000 into a pot of around 20,000 with the 2 7 3 7 on the turn.

Papanikitas called before he jammed for about 20,000 after the 8 river completed the board. Moreau snap-called and Papanikitas seemed reluctant to show his hand. Eventually, he turned over A 3 and will need to re-enter if he wants a chance to bag chips for Day 2 via the Day 1a flight after Moreau turned over 10 7 for trip sevens to win the hand.

Jerome Moreau – 100,000
Giorgos Papanikitas – 0

Grand Event Satellite Begins 26.10.2022 19:50 by Jason Glatzer

Those of you looking to get into the MPF Grand Event without paying full price will be pleased to learn that there is a satellite that began at 7 p.m. In fact, it costs only €60 to enter with a chance at winning a Grand Event seat valued at €550.

There is still time to join in with late registration open until the end of the second break. The satellite is well-structured with 20-minute blind levels giving players plenty of time to build an adequate stack to win a seat.

dsc-8081
Bruce Shannon Sits Back Down After a Friendly River 26.10.2022 19:46 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 141/195

A player from early position opened for 2,200 before Bruce Shannon jammed for 28,000 from the hijack. James Limmer came in over the top with a four-bet jam for about 34,000 from the button and the rest of the table folded.

Bruce Shannon: 7 7
James Limmer: J J

Limmer was ahead and odds continued to be well in his favor after the 10 2 Q flop. Shannon got out of his seat after seeing the 3 turn. However, Limmer was back in his chair after spiking his two-outer for a set of sevens to double his stack after the 7 river completed the board.

Shannon began to get up and appeared ready to leave the table before one of his tablemates told him to wait. He sat back down after he saw he still had some crumbs left in his stack.

James Limmer – 60,000
Bruce Shannon – 6,000

James Limmer
James Limmer
More Day 1a Photos by Fiore Capuano 26.10.2022 19:39 by Jason Glatzer
Various Big Stacks on Break 26.10.2022 19:02 by Jason Glatzer

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 138/191

Here is a look at some of the bigger stacks from around the room at the dinner break. There is still more than 30 minutes remaining on the break.

PlayerChipsBig Blinds
Gytis Pazemeckas240,000240
Dieter Aebi200,000200
Mauro Alessi165,000165
Luigi D’Alterio155,000155
Jerry Johansson150,000150
Janos Ulbert140,000140
Karl Gialanze140,000140
Nils Torp140,000140
Hakan Uzun140,000140
Glen Gaines130,000130
Bozena Skalska125,000125
Angelo Vietti125,000125
Aleksandrs Sotnikovs125,000125
Leonard Langridge120,000120
Robrecht Winterink115,000115
Aram Papazian110,000110
Petter Redemo110,000110
Pierre Christiaens110,000110
Martin Johansson110,000110
Jon Persent105,000105
Ronnie Cohen105,000105
Karl Lind105,000105
Jeppe Bisgaard105,000105
Hysaj Eljano100,000100
Martyn Frey100,000100
Humberto Jorge Lopes Galindo100,000100
Dinner Break 26.10.2022 18:18 by Jason Glatzer

Day 1a players are on a 75-minute dinner break. This reporter will get a quick bite to eat before updating the biggest stacks around the room during the break.

The Malta Poker Festival Grand Event Attracting Massive Numbers 26.10.2022 18:11 by Jason Glatzer

The MPF Grand Event has already attracted 188 entries on Day 1a. To put this in perspective, when the MPF Grand Event met the guarantee in the Spring with 1,014 entries, it attracted 118 entries on Day 1a.

It doesn’t seem like this reporter is going out on a limb when he states that this event will be bigger than the Spring Edition based on the current run rate and the plethora of players planning to play in subsequent opening flights. However, anything can happen as there is one less opening flight in the Autumn Edition as compared to the Spring Edition.

Despite that disclaimer, the only question in this reporter’s mind is whether the Grand Event will be the biggest in MPF history. It would need to surpass the 1,366 entries attracted during the inaugural MPF Grand Event in 2018 when Emanuele Onnis won the mouth-watering €150,000 top prize.

Uzun Gets Value from his Quad Sixes 26.10.2022 18:01 by Jason Glatzer

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 143/186

Alessandro Demore fired out for 3,500 with close to 20,000 in the pot and the 6 J 6 6 9 on the board. Hakan Uzun tanked for a minute before he jacked it up to 20,000. Demore tanked for a couple of minutes before he made the call.

Uzun flopped a full house with J 6 before the turn improved him to quad sixes. Demore had nothing that could possibly beat his opponent and opted to muck his hand.

Hakan Uzun – 150,000
Alessandro Demore – 80,000

More Day 1a Photos by MPF Photographer Fiore Capuano 26.10.2022 17:42 by Jason Glatzer
Ferrera Acts Out of Turn Before Doubling Through Nadin 26.10.2022 17:38 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 151/183

Giacomo Ferrera three-bet to 12,600 from the hijack and was called by Joshua Nadin, who opened from one seat to his left.

Ferrera snap-jammed for 26,500 on the 8 6 3 flop. The problem here was that he was acting out of turn. Nadin began to ask some questions and the dealer called the floor. The floor correctly explained that Ferrera’s bet is only binding if the action remains passive.

“So if I check, he has to go all-in?” asked Nadin.

The floor said that was the case but Nadin opted to change the action anyway with a bet of 13,000. Ferrera jammed for double that and Nadin snap-called.

Giacomo Ferrera: Q Q
Joshua Nadin: A K

Nadin got no love from either the 9 turn or the 10 river and was short on chips. Ferrera asked for a first bump which Nadin delivered after he doubled through his opponent.

Giacomo Ferrera – 80,000
Joshua Nadin – 20,000

Lind Not Winning His Flips 26.10.2022 17:28 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 152/176

We noticed Totti Lind at a different table. Since he shared with us originally about his action table, we asked him whether he changed tables.

“I busted,” shared Lind before recapping what happened.

On Level 4, Lind opened to 1,000. Davoud Nikravan, who has been aggressive every time we walked past the table, three-bet to 6,500. Lind four-bet jammed for around 35,000 and Nikravan called. Lind held king-queen and was unable to win a flip. Lind will likely miss that table with all of the action with Nikravan accumulating around 100,000 in chips and Karl Gialanze having even more with a stack of around 140,000. There are nearly two dozen tables in play, but it appears at least at the moment that Gialanze holds the chip lead.

Lind also shared how he lost some of his stack with his second bullet. Bruno Killian was getting a bit jammy with his short stack during a sequence of hands before he doubled through Lind with king-ten against queen-jack. However, Killian’s good fortune was short-lived as his seat is now empty as well after losing his stack shortly after.

Karl Gialanze – 140,000
Davoud Nikravan – 100,000
Totti Lind – 35,000

Defending Champion Marthijn Lakerveld in Action 26.10.2022 17:14 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 154/174

Marthijn Lakerveld won the Malta Poker Festival Spring Edition Grand Event in May for €71,000.

Last night, this author had the pleasure of sitting next to Lakerveld in the HORSE event and later on sold a seat he won to Lakerveld. Lakerveld is already in his seat and ready to defend his title.

Best of luck to Marthijn for two MPF Grand Event victories in one year.

Marthijn Lakerveld – 50,000

Daniel Lakerveld
Marthijn Lakerveld
Photos By MPF Photographer Fiore Capuano 26.10.2022 17:12 by Jason Glatzer

Check out the first batch of Day 1a photos by MPF photographer Fiore Capuano.

Defending Champion Marthijn Lakerveld in Action 26.10.2022 17:12 by Jason Glatzer

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 154/174

Marthijn Lakerveld won the Malta Poker Festival Spring Edition Grand Event in May for €71,000.

Last night, this author had the pleasure of sitting next to Lakerveld in the HORSE event and later on sold a seat he won to Lakerveld. Lakerveld is already in his seat and ready to defend his title.

Best of luck to Marthijn for two MPF Grand Event victories in one year.

Marthijn Lakerveld – 50,000

Daniel Lakerveld
Marthijn Lakerveld
Top Pair Good for Pecelj 26.10.2022 16:34 by Jason Glatzer

Level 4: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 159/169

Niccolo Ceccarelli checked with a little more than 10,000 in the pot and the J 2 K 5 4 on the board. Pavle Pecelj fired out for 15,100 and Ceccarelli went into the tank for a couple of minutes before flicking in some chips for the call.

Pecelj turned over K 10 for the top pair and won the hand after Ceccarelli mucked his hand.

“Thin value bet,” commented Ceccarelli in a friendly way to Pecelj.

Pavle Pecelj – 60,000
Niccolo Ceccarelli – 8,000

Lind Five-Bet Jams with Eight-Four 26.10.2022 16:20 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 149/159

We caught up with Totti Lind at break and he shared with PokerListings a funny hand. Maybe it wasn’t that funny for Karl Gialanze but he will likely look back and laugh at the hand as well.

According to Lind, Gialanze opened for 800 before Lind three-bet to 2,700. Two players called before some confusion came with Gialanze putting 3,700 into the pot.

Gialanze apparently thought this was the amount of the three-bet to call and he attempted to take back 1,000 from his bet. The floor was eventually called and it was correctly ruled that this was a raise as it was for more than 50% of Lind’s raise. Gialanze was forced to put 5,500 in the pot and Lind five-bet jammed. Gialanze folded and wasn’t too pleased after Lind turned over only eight-four. After the hand, Lind was on about 70,000 in chips.

First Break 26.10.2022 16:02 by Jason Glatzer

Players are on their first break of Day 1a. The blinds will increase to 200/400 with a big blind ante of 400 when the action resumes in about 15 minutes.

Strike Three for Bart Before the First Break 26.10.2022 15:49 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 139/148

Usually, an event with this type of structure will showcase very few eliminations early on. That is still the case today but Joanna Bart did something impressive by firing the maximum of three bullets on Day 1a before the first break.

Although Bart can’t get back into the action today, the good news is that there are four more opening flights to give it a shot. We hope for better luck if Bart re-enters on another opening flight.

Joanna Bart – 0

Top Two Pair for Toledo 26.10.2022 15:46 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 139/146

Asa Holmberg was another player to win a seat during Monday’s Grand Event satellite and is off to a good start despite the following hiccup.

Holmberg check-called a bet of 2,500 by Rafael Toledo with slightly more in the pot and the 3 K 3 10 on the board before leading out for 5,000 on the Q river. Toledo snap-called. Holmberg turned over 10 9 for two pair with tens over threes but this wasn’t enough to get the job down with Toledo showing K Q for top two pair to win the hand.

Rafael Toledo – 65,000
Asa Holmberg – 55,000

Ace-Queen Good for Gustavsson 26.10.2022 15:36 by Jason Glatzer

Level 3: 200/300 (300)
Entries: 135/140

There was already 10,000 in the pot with the 6 2 A on the board when both Johan Gustavsson and Sebastian Mortensen checked. Marc Brazier fired out for 3,500. Gustavsson called and Mortensen folded.

Both Gustavsson and Brazier checked after the A paired the board on the turn before Gustavsson fired out for 5,000 after the J river completed the board. Brazier snap-called only to snap-muck his hand after Gustavsson turned over A Q .

Johan Gustavsson – 60,000
Marc Brazier – 40,000

Fun Around the Room 26.10.2022 15:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 127/132

Several more players hit the rail including Joanna Bart for a second time. Bart is back in action for a third and final Day 1a bullet. Maybe the third time is a charm.

Players are visibly having fun enjoying chatting with their neighbors and sharing laughs. Some big laughter just erupted at Table 15 in a hand involving Caroline Schallock, Bart Servaes, and Rares Bodea.

Schallock opened the action from middle position for 600 and was called by both Savaes and Bodea. The 4 4 K flop was checked around before Schallock began to laugh after the K double-paired the board on the turn. Other players joined her with smiles and laughter before the action checked around again.

Smiles were still on all players after the 7 completed the board. The action checked around again and Schallock turned over Q 10 . This didn’t get the job done as Savaes subsequently showed 6 6 for a better two pair than was on the board and won the hand after Bodea mucked his cards.

Caroline Schallock – 50,000
Bart Savaes – 40,000
Rares Bodea – 40,000

PokerListings Interviews Ivonne Montealegre 26.10.2022 15:11 by Jason Glatzer

Earlier this week, PokerListings sat down with Malta Poker Festival Founder Ivonne Montealegre to get her thoughts about the festival.

Click here to check out what she had to say.

Malta Poker Festival at Portomaso Casino.
Osthus Shows His Ace-High 26.10.2022 15:02 by Jason Glatzer

Level 2: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 125/126

The MPF Grand Event had its first elimination with Joanna Bart hit the rail at around the same time the following hand took place between Nicholas Osthus and Dennis Christiaens.

Osthus bet 4,000 into a pot of around 8000 with the 2 6 2 7 5 on the board. Christiaens paused for a few moments before he folded.

Osthus decided to show his hand and he won the pot with A 3 . We will likely never know whether this was good if Christiaens called.

Nicholas Osthus – 65,000
Dennis Christiaens – 55,000

“You Might Want to Stay at This Table” 26.10.2022 14:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 114/114

It has been mostly small ball on all the tables as one should expect with such a deep structure with players starting with 500 big blinds. There is at least one exception to this with Table 3 seemingly creating a bit of action.

“You might want to stay at this table,” Totti Lind said while he noticed PokerListings observing a hand.

So far, we fully agree with Lind with much of the action being generated by Davoud Nikravan, who recently got back to near a starting stack as follows.

Nikravan fired out for 8,000 into a pot of a little bit more with the 5 7 8 4 on the board after the turn. Karl Gialanze called before Andre Yoann called.

Nikravan then continued with his aggression with a large bet of 15,000 after the 7 paired the board on the river. Yoann was at the table when Nikravan bluffed against Lind and went into the tank before giving up on the hand.

Davoud Nikravan – 45,000
Andre Yoann – 35,000

Amazing Start to the Grand Event 26.10.2022 14:24 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 101/101

It has been an amazing start to the MPF Grand Event with the Day 1a field already growing beyond 100 entries. This figure will continue to grow until late registration closes before the start of Level 9.

“Wow, You Have Sixes! Right?” 26.10.2022 14:22 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 96/96

The field has already ballooned to nearly 100 entries. Among those entries is Sweden’s Totti Lind. Lind was an absolute beast and crushed the dreams of many players in a Grand Event satellite two days ago. He build up such a big stack that he was having fun raising every hand and sent many players to the rail.

Lind started off today in a similar fashion by already winning a sizeable pot against Davoud Nikravan.

Nikravan fired out for 3,500 into a pot of around 5,000 with the 10 6 J 4 on the board after the turn. Lind called and the 3 river completed the board. Nikravan bet 8500 this time around and Lind went into the tank for a couple of minutes.

“Wow, you have sixes!” Lind said. “Right?”

Lind eventually called. Nikravan opted to muck his cards before Lind turned over. Lind was already awarded the pot but he showed he picked off his opponent’s bluff with A 10 to win the hand.

Totti Lind – 65,000
Davoud Nikravan – 35,000

Romain Nardin Wins the HORSE Event 26.10.2022 14:10 by Jason Glatzer

Last night, Romain Nardin won the €230 HORSE Event Powered by CardPlayer Lifestyle for a tasty payout of €4,000.

Players, including this reporter, had a blast throughout the event and some players played mixed cash games shortly after busting out of the event. We will try to catch up with CardPlayer Lifestyle Founder Robbie Strazynski for his thoughts about the event.

PlacePlayerPrize
1Romain Nardin€4,000
2Jean Guillaume Donat Gros€2,560
3Mats Karlsson€1,630
4Simon Ruckert€1,160
5Sascha Manns€848
6Martin Johansson€630
7Koen Muetstege€500
Ivonne Montealegre & Robbie Strazynski
Ivonne Montealegre & Robbie Strazynski
Grand Event Begins 26.10.2022 14:07 by Jason Glatzer

Level 1: 100/100 (100)
Entries: 77/77

Cards are in the air after introductions by MPF Founder Ivonne Montealegre and the Tournament Director Danilo De Berardinis.

It is looking like a banner turnout even for the first opening flight with the field already at 77 entries and counting.

Danilo De Berardinis & Ivonne Montealegre
Danilo De Berardinis & Ivonne Montealegre
The €500K GTD MPF Grand Event Kicks Off at 2 p.m. 26.10.2022 12:17 by Jason Glatzer
pokerlistings-report-2022-mpf-jason-glatzer

Welcome to the coverage of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival (MPF) Autumn Edition powered by PokerListings. The MPF was founded in 2018 by popular event organizer Ivonne Montealegre. Although the festival was interrupted like many others across the globe thanks to the COVID pandemic with no events taking place in 2020 or 2021, it has caught up for lost time with the luxurious Portomaso Casino hosting the MPF for the second time this year.

The MPF boasts nearly two dozen events and satellites from Oct. 24-31 highlighted by the well-structured MPF €550 Grand Event powered by partypoker. The event promises to award huge prizes thanks to its mouth-watering €500,000 guaranteed prize pool. Many players have already claimed their seats for the Grand Event via online satellites at partypoker with dozens of others also getting their seats for pennies on the dollar in after winning €60 live satellites at Portomaso Casino. There are still more satellites to come for anyone looking to get into the action last minute.

PokerListings to Live Report the Grand Event

Daniel Lakerveld
Daniel Lakerveld

For the first time, PokerListings will be on hand to report the MPF Grand Event. This reporter had the pleasure of playing in the Grand Event during the Spring when Daniel Lakerveld defeated a field of 1,014 entries to win the huge €71,000 top prize.

The Grand Event is a well-structured affair with five opening flights from Oct. 26-29 followed by Day 2 on Oct. 30 before a winner is crowned on Oct. 31. The first four opening flights will feature 13 blind levels of 40-minutes each giving players plenty of time to build a massive stack. The final opening flight will be a turbo-charged affair boasting 20-minute blind levels.

The MPF is all about the players as can be evidenced in the fact that this event doesn’t feature unlimited re-entries and late registration closing at a reasonable time after Level 8 of each day. That being said, if players have some bad luck early on and don’t want to wait for another opening flight to get back into the Grand Event, they can re-enter twice each day before late registration closes.

Those finding a bag during any of the opening flights will enjoy an even deeper structure with 50-minute blinds on Day 2 and even longer 60-minute blind levels on the final day.

Players can also join a contest hosted by PokerDeals where they can win back their €550 buy-in along with plenty of other goodies. There will be flyers with instructions at each table about how to participate.

Day 1a Structure

LevelSmall BlindBig BlindAnte
1100100100
2100200200
3200300
15-Minute Break
4200400400
5300600600
6400800800
75-Minute Dinner Break
75001,0001,000
86001,2001,200
15-Minute Break
98001,6001,600
101,0002,0002,000
111,5002,5002,500
15-Minute Break
121,5003,0003,000
132,0004,0004,000

Tons of Side Events

The MPF isn’t just about the Grand Event as there are plenty of side events each day for players to enjoy. In addition to the start of the Grand Event at 2 p.m., today’s schedule also boasts two side events including the €230 Bounty Hunter Days Malta at 5 p.m. and the €150 MPF One Bullet at 9 p.m.

Here is a look at the full schedule of the 2022 Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition:

DateTimeBuy-inEvent
Oct. 247 p.m.€60Opening Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 256 p.m.€230HORSE Powered by Cardplayer Lifestyle
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€100NL Texas Special
Oct. 262 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1a Powered by partypoker
7 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
9 p.m.€150MPF One Bullet
Oct. 272 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1b Powered by partypoker
5 p.m.€230Bounty Hunter Days Malta
8 p.m€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
Oct. 282 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1c Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€225The HendonMob Championship Day 1
6 p.m.€60Satellite to MPF Grand Event
8 p.m.€150Deepstack Fulltilt Catania
Oct. 291 p.m.The HendonMob Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1d Powered by partypoker
4 p.m.€100Ladies First! Hosted by Katie Swift
5 p.m.€120APAT Maltese Championship Day 1
8 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Satellite
9 p.m.€550MPF Grand Event Day 1e Turbo Powered by partypoker
Oct. 301 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 2 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.APAT Maltese Championship Day 2
2 p.m.€150CasinoCoin CUP Turbo Satellite
4 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 1
5 p.m.€150Sunday Deep Stack by Stanley Bet
7 p.m.€200PLO Knight Crusaders
8 p.m.€330The PartyPoker Cup
Oct. 312 p.m.MPF Grand Event Day 3 Powered by partypoker
2 p.m.€1,100CasinoCoin Cup Day 2
3 p.m.€120Bounty Hunter Days Progressive Closer
7 p.m.€150Win the Spooky Cross Hosted by Ivonne Montealegre

Our coverage of the Malta Poker Festival begins today at 2 p.m. Stay tuned to PokerListings for all of your updates.

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