Top Three Chase Career-Best Scores as 82 Players Return for Day 3 of PokerStars Open Main Event Malaga
We are onto Day 3 of the sun-drenched PokerStars Open Main Event Malaga at Gran Madrid, Casino Torrequebrada, with only 82 players set to return from 1,636 runners for the penultimate day at noon local time, after an action-packed Day 2 saw 534 players fall by the wayside.
The podium places are currently filled by three players who will be dreaming of a career-first six-figure score - Spaniard Marciano Rodriguez (2,760,000), Finn Joel Haapio (1,670,000) and Marios Zervoudis of Greece (1,520,000).
Start of Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marciano Rodriguez | Spain | 2,760,000 | 184 |
| 2 | Joel Haapio | Finland | 1,670,000 | 111 |
| 3 | Marios Zervoudis | Greece | 1,520,000 | 101 |
| 4 | Linda Nguyen | Norway | 1,305,000 | 87 |
| 5 | Franklin Hincapie | Sweden | 1,275,000 | 85 |
| 6 | Giacomo Beneforti | Italy | 1,270,00 | 84 |
| 7 | Adem Agoudjil | France | 1,210,000 | 80 |
| 8 | Vasile-Voinita Soica | Romania | 1,100,000 | 73 |
| 9 | Teo Assuncao | Switzerland | 1,065,000 | 71 |
| 10 | Simone Demasi | Italy | 1,030,000 | 68 |
Rodriguez stormed to the top of the counts after hitting a straight flush to crack quads, and that was not the only dramatic cooler of the day, as Bobby Simons rivered the rarely seen royal flush, and was unbelievably up against two full houses. Simons would unfortunately fall towards the end of the day.
The €1,570,560 prize pool, a record for an event in Malaga, was to be split between 240 players, after four players busted simultaneously at separate tables on the bubble, with a minimum cash good for €1,700.
Plenty of other quality players are still in the hunt for the title, including PokerStars ambassador Alejandro Lococo (245,000), Gerard Cortes Rubiralta (845,000), Henrik Veldhoen (590,000), Irish Open champ Tero Laurila (585,000), and Gianluca Speranza (245,000).
The eye-catching sum of €241,860 awaits the winner, while a spot at the final table will guarantee a €22,600 payday. All players have locked up a €3,300 cash.
2025 PokerStars Open Malaga Remaining Payouts
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €241,860 | 14-15 | €12,100 | |
| 2 | €152,800 | 16-17 | €10,100 | |
| 3 | €109,200 | 18-20 | €8,880 | |
| 4 | €84,000 | 21-23 | €7,600 | |
| 5 | €64,600 | 24-27 | €6,600 | |
| 6 | €49,700 | 28-31 | €5,800 | |
| 7 | €38,200 | 32-39 | €5,000 | |
| 8 | €29,400 | 40-55 | €4,400 | |
| 9 | €22,600 | 56-71 | €3,800 | |
| 10-11 | €17,400 | 72-82 | €3,300 | |
| 12-13 | €14,500 |
The players will return to Level 21, with blinds of 10,000/15,000, with a 15,000 big blind ante, with the clock set to 60-minute levels. It is expected a minimum of ten levels will be played today.
Be sure to stick with us at PokerNews for all your coverage, as we see who can move into prime position to take the PokerStars Open Main Event Malaga 2025 title!