Poker Dreams Come True for Aleksandar Kosarkoski, Who Wins the €600 Malta Poker Festival Grand Event

Aleksandar Kosarkoski Starts the Final Table With the Third-Largest Stack

Kosarkoski began the nine-handed final table with 39 BB, while the chip leader had 46 BB. It was far from an easy ride for Aleksandar. After just a few hands, he lost half his stack and dropped to 16 BB, but managed to double up.

In the very next hand, Aleksandar eliminated Maciej Gut to take the chip lead: AKo > AQo in a 20 BB pot.

At the eight-handed stage, Aleksandar won another big pot when Alberto Marullo decided to make a bluffing 4-bet with 84s. It didn’t go as planned, as Aleksandar had pocket Jacks.

At four-handed play, Aleksandar sent Marius Olsvik to the rail: 99 > K4s in a 20 BB pot, with a nine on the flop.

He then eliminated Raffaele Prezzi in third place: AJo > QJo in a 20 BB pot. Aleksandar moved up to 46 BB, while his heads-up opponent, Gabriele Santoro, held 62 BB.

The heads-up battle lasted almost two more hours.

In the final hand, Aleksandar set a trap by checking the flop with a set. It worked perfectly. Gabriele Santoro bet the turn and moved all-in on the river.

MPF Grand Event Final Table Payouts (2,147 Entries)

Place	Country	Player	Prize
1		Aleksandar Kosarkoski	€200,000
2		Gabriele Santoro	€134,615
3		Raffaele Prezzi	€91,070
4		Marius Olsvik	€62,040
5		Aris Diminikos	€42,660
6		Alessandro Siena	€29,770
7		Daniel Jackson	€21,160
8		Alberto Marullo	€15,420
9		Maciej Gut	€11,600

This is the biggest victory of Aleksandar Kosarkoski’s career. Before this win, his live tournament earnings had never exceeded $2,000.