€550 Grand Event | 2025 Malta Poker Festival Spring

May 05, 2025

Carsten Marwick Eliminated in 2nd Place (€68,400)

Richard Hayes

Level 32 : Blinds 400,000/800,000, 800,000 ante

In the first significant hand of heads-up play, Carsten Mawick raised to 2,000,000 from the button, and Aurelio Vallone defended the big blind.

On the J♣8♠5♥ flop, Vallone check-called a bet of 1,400,000 from Mawick.

The J♥ turn paired the board, and Vallone changed approach, leading out with a bet of 2,800,000. After some thought, Mawick called.

The 8♦ river completed the board. Vallone fired out a bet of 3,600,000, and snapped when Mawick jammed for around 9,000,000.

With the title on the line, Mawick tabled A♠K♦ for ace-high with the double-paired board of jacks and eights, but Vallone had the goods with J♦10♥ for the full house.

"Yes, yes!" shouted Vallone, as he realized the victory was his, and he immediately turned to celebrate with his vociferous rail, who hailed him loudly as he collapsed into their arms. He returned to shake Mawick's hand, and gave him a hug.

Vallone then returned to his rail, and was overcome with emotion, tears starting to well as he hugged a friend.

Mawick is consoled with a €68,400 payday after the heads-up deal agreed with Vallone.

Tags: Aurelio Vallone Carsten Mawick

May 05, 2025

Antonio Scala Eliminated in 3rd Place (€43,500)

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Richard Hayes

Level 31 : Blinds 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Carsten Mawick has finished off Antonio Scala in consecutive hands.

In the first, Scala was all-in with 7♥7♣ against Mawick's K♠K♥, and no help arrived on the Q♣J♠2♠5♣4♣ runout.

Scala was left with 300,000 and was forced all-in in the small blind against Mawick in the next hand.

Scala had 10♠6♠ and was ahead of Mawick's 9♠7♣, but the Q♥9♥J♦A♠6♦ runout sent the pot to Mawick with a pair of nines.

A great run from Scala for his biggest career tournament score - Vallone goes into heads-up play with a more than 2:1 lead over Mawick.

The players have went on a short-break before heads-up play begins.

Tags: Antonio Scala Carsten Mawick

May 05, 2025

Domenico Lando Eliminated in 4th Place (€32,150)

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Richard Hayes

Level 31 : Blinds 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Antonio Scala opened to 1,200,000 from the button, and Domenico Lando three-bet jammed for 3,400,000 from the big blind. Scala thought it through and made the call.

Domenico Lando: 10♠10♥ All in
Antonio Scala: A♠8♦

Lando was in good shape for a double-up, but the ace was in the window on the A♥K♣K♠ flop, and the 4♦Q♠ turn and river did not reverse matters.

An amazing run from defending champion Lando, but he has fallen just short of consecutive MPF Grand Event titles.

Tags: Antonio Scala Domenico Lando

May 05, 2025

Vallone Prevails Over Mawick Again

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Richard Hayes

Level 31 : Blinds 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Carsten Mawick opened to 1,200,000 from under the gun, and Aurelio Vallone produced a three-bet to 3,800,000 from the small blind. Action back to Mawick, who called.

The 10♦6♦4♦ flop and 2♦ turn were checked through to the 10♣ river, where Vallone led out with a bet of 4,600,000, leading to a fold from Mawick.

Vallone now has a huge lead over the rest of the field.

Tags: Aurelio Vallone Carsten Mawick

May 05, 2025

Matteo Ferrara Eliminated in 5th Place (€25,050)

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Richard Hayes

Level 30 : Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante

Matteo Ferrara and Aurelio Vallone had got in a pre-flop raising war, culminating in Ferrara five-bet jamming for 10,100,000 and being snapped by Vallone, who just covered him.

Matteo Ferrara: A♥J♠ All in
Aurelio Vallone: A♦K♠

Ferrara was dominated, and Vallone couldn't watch the runout - he went over and stood with his rail with his back to the table.

He needn't have worried as the Q♠2♠6♣9♦Q♣ runout sent him a huge pot, and he celebrated wildly with his supporters, and the pair embraced when Vallone finished. Vallone and Mawick now hold a huge lead over Scala and Lando.

Tags: Aurelio Vallone Matteo Ferrara

May 05, 2025

Vincenzo Popolo Eliminated in 6th Place (€18,450)

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Richard Hayes

Level 30 : Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante

Vincenzo Popolo was all-in for 1,700,000 and at risk versus Carsten Mawick, who was seeking a second knockout in quick succession.

Vincenzo Popolo: A♥K♥ All in
Carsten Mawick: J♦J♣

It was a fair fight, but Mawick was ahead the whole way and rivered a straight on the 10♦8♥5♦9♠7♥ runout.

Tags: Carsten Mawick Vincenzo Popolo

May 05, 2025

Alexander Maskell Eliminated in 7th Place (€12,950)

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Richard Hayes

Level 30 : Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante

Carsten Mawick opened to 800,000 from the cutoff, and Alexander Maskell three-bet jammed to 5,075,000 from the button.

Action back to Mawick, who thought it through for a bit, but ultimately concluded "I can't fold this hand.", and called.

Alexander Maskell: 6♦6♠ All in
Carsten Mawick: A♦10♦

It was off to the races, and Maskell remained ahead after the Q♥Q♦8♣ flop.

Mawick started calling for the eight to counterfeit Maskell, but he found the 10♣ on the turn instead - the 5♥ river sealing Maskell's fate.

Tags: Alexander Maskell Carsten Mawick

May 05, 2025

Egon Holdhus Eliminated in 8th Place (€10,850)

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Richard Hayes

Level 30 : Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante

Egon Holdhus jammed from the button for 2,150,000 and Carsten Mawick rejammed from the small blind with the covering stack, isolating his opponent.

Egon Holdhus: K♣9♠ All in
Carsten Mawick: A♦2♣

Mawick was ahead, and remained so after the Q♣5♠4♦ flop.

In a dramatic end to the hand, Holdhus binked the K♦ turn, but roles were reversed when Mawick hit the wheel straight on the 3♦ river, much to Holdhus' disgust.

Tags: Carsten Mawick Egon Holdhus

May 05, 2025