2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition
Level: 27
Blinds: 50,000/100,000
Ante: 100,000
The remaining 56 players have been sent on their next 20-minute break.
James Malatynski opened with a raise to 220,000 from middle position, and Kajetan Renke called from the seat next to him. Shervin Ghassemlou then moved all-in for 815,000 from the cutoff. Malatynski quickly folded, while Renke said, "Now I have to call," before tossing in a chip to make the call.
Shervin Ghassemlou: K♠K♥
Kajetan Renke: A♠9♦
Renke found an ace on the A♠8♦6♦ flop, putting him ahead. He also picked up a flush draw, leaving Ghassemlou with very few outs to stay in the tournament.
The 2♣ turn and 5♣ river brought no help for Ghassemlou, who was sent to the rail.
With around 1,000,000 in the pot and the board showing 10♦6♣9♦9♥5♣, James Malatynski was first to act and bet 550,000. Shervin Ghassemlou quickly called, but Malatynski turned over 9♣8♣ for trip nines. That was enough to win the pot, as Ghassemlou's cards went into the muck.
The action folded around to Santo Sidoti in the small blind, who moved all-in for his last 325,000. Ofer Tadmor quickly called from the big blind.
Santo Sidoti: A♦6♠
Ofer Tadmor: A♥Q♦
Sidoti was behind and looking for help from the board. The 5♥4♥3♣3♥ runout gave him a few extra outs to improve or chop the pot on the river.
However, the Q♠ completed the board, giving Tadmor two pair and sending Sidoti to the rail.
Level: 26
Blinds: 40,000/80,000
Ante: 80,000
With around 1,130,000 in the pot and the board showing K♦4♥A♣, Ofer Tadmor bet 550,000 from the small blind.
Maicol D'Arrigo was in middle position and moved all-in for 1,350,000. Tadmor went deep into the tank, but after the clock was called, he eventually decided to fold. He didn't look too happy about giving up the pot.
With the board fully laid out 4♦8♠7♦K♣6♦ and around 1,600,000 in the pot, Dor Itah bet 550,000 from under the gun.
Antonino Leotta took his time before eventually folding, allowing Itah to take down the pot without a showdown.