A pot of 25,500 had developed by the turn on a board of A♠7♦3♦7♥, in a hand between Bob Jansen in early position and Ludovic Uzan in the big blind.
Uzan checked and Jansen slid out a bet of 12,000. Uzan took some time to think before he check-raised to 35,000. Jansen took a bit of time, but eventually sent his cards to the dealer.
Fabio Assennato jammed for 52,500 from the small blind, and received action from Andres Rengifo in the small blind. To Rengifo's surprise, Vyacheslav Churkin also made the call in the big blind.
On the 10♠9♥5♦ flop, Rengifo checked to Churkin, who jammed for around 100,000. Rengifo open-folded 7♠7♣.
Fabio Assennato: K♦Q♣
Vyacheslav Churkin: Q♦Q♥
Assennato was in trouble, with a gutshot and an overcard versus Churkin's ladies. The 9♣ turn and 6♣ river were bricks to send Assennato to the exit.
Domenico Lando brought balance to the felt at the 2024 Malta Poker Festival Grand Event, navigating his way through a talented final table to emerge victorious and claim the title, trophy and €140,000 prize.
Lando picked his spots wisely in the final stages en route to topping the record-breaking 2,045 entry field, where the €941,568 prize pool was paid out to the top 306 players. Lando's triumph in the biggest MPF Grand Event was somewhat of an underdog story. The Italian player had only $13,400 in live earnings before registering for the event, with a best cash of just $6,077.
Lando toppled Nikolaos Konstas in heads-up play, after the latter appeared to have one hand on the winner's spoils, but as is ever with poker, someone's fortune can change completely with a turn of a card.
Late registration has closed in Day 1b of the €550 Malta Poker Festival Grand Event. The flight attracted 82 entrants, meaning play will conclude when 12 players are left, with 32 players currently seated.
Jason Shellum opened to 7,000 from the cutoff, and was met with a three-bet to 20,000 from Dave Harris on the button. Action folded back to Shellum, who called.
On the A♣6♥6♦ flop, Shellum check-called versus a bet of 15,000 from Harris.
The K♠ turn was checked through to the 8♦ river, where Shellum led out with a bet of 55,000, leading to a snap fold from Harris.
Shellum showed 4♠4♣ for two pair, sixes and fours.
