2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition

€600 Main Event
Day: 3
34
Event Info
2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition
Event Info
Buy-in
€600
Prize Pool
€2,413,281
Total Entries
5,368
Places Paid
726
Players Left
8
Average Chip Stack
24,220,000
Total Chips
193,760,000
Next Payout
Place 8
€21,150
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
200,000 / 400,000
Ante
400,000
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
158
Players Left
24
Players Left 8 / 5,368
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Level: 24

Blinds: 25,000/50,000

Ante: 50,000

Early Bust-Outs

Level 23 : 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante

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Tsaknis Puts Liuticov to the Test

Level 23 : Blinds 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante
Vasileios Tsaknis
Vasileios Tsaknis

With over 900,000 already in the pot and the board reading 3♠6♠4♦8♦, Vasileios Tsaknis checked from the big blind to Chiril Liuticov in middle position.

Liuticov bet 700,000, but Tsaknis had other plans. He took his time, counted his stack, and then announced all-in, covering Liuticov by far.

Liuticov quickly folded, giving up a huge pot to Tsaknis.

Tags: Chiril LiuticovVasileios Tsaknis

Level: 23

Blinds: 20,000/40,000

Ante: 40,000

158 Players Remain as Day 3 Begins in the Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Main Event

2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Main Event Trophy
2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Main Event Trophy

The €600 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Main Event at Casino Malta has attracted a massive field of 5,368 entries across nine starting flights, comfortably surpassing its €1.5 million guarantee. Players could enter through the regular €600 buy-in flights or take advantage of half-price qualification flights.

The huge turnout generated a total prize pool of €2,413,281, with 158 players now remaining and returning for Day 3.

A total of 726 players started Day 2 already in the money, but the field was cut down significantly over five hours of play. More than 550 players were eliminated, leaving the remaining 158 to continue their run towards the title.

At the top of the chip counts is Ivan Sposato, who bagged 3,440,000 chips. Close behind him is Jan-Joost van den Bogert, with 3,260,000, while Shai Arbel rounds out the top three with 2,460,000.

Top Ten Chip Counts

RankPlayerCountryChip Count
1Ivan SposatoItaly3,440,000
2Jan-Joost van den BogertUnited Kingdom3,260,000
3Shai ArbelIsrael2,460,000
4Vasileios TsaknisGreece2,210,000
5David KeuftedjianUnited States2,140,000
6Torben RauerGermany2,060,000
7Stefano Rege GianasItaly2,040,000
8Maicol D'arrigoItaly2,040,000
9Candido CappielloItaly1,930,000
10Lorenzo AngelettiItaly1,920,000

Several familiar names are also still in contention. Last year's Battle of Malta Autumn Edition champion, Candido Cappiello, returns with 1,930,000 chips, while Jon Kyte is also among the remaining players with 237,000. Other notable names include Erik Lindqwist (875,000) and Danut Chisu (705,000). At the other end of the counts, Andrej Desset will have some work to do with just 20,000 chips.

Candido Cappiello
Candido Cappiello

Day 3 resumes at 1 p.m. local time at Level 24, with blinds of 20,000/40,000 and a 40,000 big blind ante. Levels have increased to 75 minutes, following 60-minute levels on Day 2 and 20- or 40-minute levels during the starting flights.

The plan is to play down to 24 players today, with 20-minute breaks every two levels. A 60-minute dinner break is scheduled after Level 27, at approximately 8 p.m. local time.

All remaining players have already secured at least €3,100, but the ultimate goal is the €227,835 first-place prize and the coveted knight trophy.

Remaining Payouts

PlacePrizePlacePrize
1€ 227,83521-23€ 9,800
2€ 141,25024-27€ 8,950
3€ 92,55028-31€ 8,200
4€ 62,15032-39€ 7,550
5€ 43,40040-47€ 7,000
6€ 32,00048-55€ 6,450
7€ 25,15056-63€ 5,950
8€ 21,15064-71€ 5,450
9€ 18,90072-79€ 5,000
10 – 11€ 16,75080-95€ 4,600
12-13€ 14,95096-111€ 4,200
14-15€ 13,350112-127€ 3,800
16-17€ 12,000128-151€ 3,450
18-20€ 10,800152-158€ 3,100

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Stay tuned to PokerNews as the action continues, and we follow the remaining players on their quest for the Battle of Malta title!

Tags: Andrej DessetCandido CappielloDanut ChisuDavid KeuftedjianErik LindqwistIvan SposatoJan-Joost van den BogertJon KyteLorenzo AngelettiMaicol D'arrigoShai ArbelStefano Rege GianasTorben RauerVasileios Tsaknis

End of Day 2 Chip Counts (full)

Battle of Malta Branding
Battle of Malta Branding

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€600 Main Event

Day 3 Started