2025 PokerStars EPT Malta
In the 919th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Connor Richards to talk about the latest stories from the poker world, including a discussion about the current poker content landscape on YouTube. If Brad Owen's recent experience is any indication, things don't look good.
The trio then discusses Martin Kabrhel's gold bracelet win at the 2025 World Series of Poker Europe, Michael Mizrachi's "Grinder's Game" coming to Venetian Poker Live, and All In with Jason Koon slated to take place during November's NAPT (info on hotel rates here). Speaking of which, Chad reveals another code word for this year's NAPT Gold Pass giveaway valued at $10,000! There are not many up for grabs this year, so you won't want to miss out on this limited opportunity to win one just by listening to the PokerNews Podcast and MSPT Podcast Presented By PokerNews.
You will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the recent Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) St. Jude, learn about winners from the 2025 Poker Masters and WSOPE, a new poker room coming to Las Vegas, and Chad's personal adventures involving the Miami Dolphins and Mötley Crüe. It's a fun episode that you won't want to miss, so tune in now!
The remaining players are now on a short 10-minute break.
Juan Pardo opened from under the gun, and Mikita Badziakouski in middle position made the call.
The flop came 8♣2♣9♠. Pardo checked, and Badziakouski bet 25,000, prompting Pardo to raise to 75,000. Badziakouski then shoved, and Pardo quickly called, sending the cards on their backs.
Mikita Badziakouski: A♣Q♦
Juan Pardo: J♣10♣
The 7♣ turn gave Pardo the lead with a flush, but Badziakouski had the nut flush draw. The J♠ river offered no help to Badziakouski, sending him to the rail.
After losing a decent pot to Alexandros Theologis in the previous hand, Pieter Aerts opened under the gun, and Ben Heath called from the big blind.
The flop came A♦10♠6♦, and Heath check-called Aerts’ 40,000 bet.
On the J♠ turn, Heath checked again, and Aerts fired 90,000, which Heath called.
The 9♣ completed the board on the river. Heath checked, and Aerts pushed 178,000 into the pot, leaving just 1,000 behind. Heath went all in, and Aerts called.
Heath showed K♣Q♦ for a straight whilst Aerts had A♠J♥ for two pair which meant the end of the tournament for him.
Mikita Badziakouski opened from under the gun and found a caller in Juan Pardo in the big blind.
The flop came 10♦7♦K♣, and Pardo check-raised Badziakouski’s 10,000 bet to 30,000. Badziakouski called.
When the K♦ hit the turn, Pardo moved all in, putting Badziakouski at risk. He snap-called.
Mikita Badziakouski: 10♥10♣
Juan Pardo: A♦J♥
Badziakouski’s full house held strong, and the 5♥ river completed the board, giving him a full double-up.
Juan Pardo opened from under the gun, and Orpen Kisacikoglu in the big blind three-bet to 85,000. Pardo called.
The flop came 9♠K♦J♦, and Kisacikoglu led out for 35,000, which Pardo called.
On the 4♦ turn, Kisacikoglu checked, and Pardo seized the moment to bet 66,000. Kisacikoglu folded, giving the pot to Pardo.
Mikita Badziakouski opened from middle position with a raise of 20,000 and found a caller in Orpen Kisacikoglu in the big blind.
The flop came 9♥6♥K♣, and Kisacikoglu check-called Badziakouski’s 55,000 continuation bet.
Both players checked the 9♠ turn.
On the 4♥ river, Kisacikoglu moved all in, putting Badziakouski’s tournament life at risk. After some thought, Badziakouski folded, conceding the pot.
Orpen Kisacikoglu opened from middle position to 25,000 and found a caller in Juan Pardo in the cutoff.
Both players checked through the board J♣K♣5♥K♥10♦ to the river. Kisacikoglu led out with a 55,000 bet, and Pardo called. No cards were revealed as Kisacikoglu mucked, giving the pot to Pardo.
Action folded to Mikita Badziakouski in the small blind, who glanced at Alexandros Theologis’s stack before shoving all in, putting Theologis in the big blind at risk. Theologis checked his cards and quickly called.
Alexandros Theologis: A♣K♠
Mikita Badziakouski: J♥9♥
The board ran out K♣8♠5♣A♠J♠, giving Theologis a clean double-up.