Main Event
Day 1a Started
2018 Unibet Open Malta
Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2018 Unibet Open Malta
Buy-in
€1,100
Entries
273
Level
27
Blinds
50,000 / 100,000
Ante
15,000
Welcome to Day 1a of the 2018 Unibet Open Malta Main Event
The second stop of the Unibet Open's 11th season is on Malta! The Intercontinental Hotel, located in the vibrant city of St. Julians, sets the stage for five days of heated poker action. It's the third time Unibet has set up shop on the Mediterranean island, after visits in 2011 and 2016. Martin Soukup of the Czech Republic is the last winner, after taking home €65,000 in 2016.
Two-time Unibet Open champion Mateusz Moolhuizen kicked off his storied poker career here in 2011 with a win and a massive €117,000 first-place prize. The Dutchman has been spotted but will likely appear on Day 1b as he's still active in the €330 Unibet Deepstack Open Cup that concludes today.
Yesterday saw the conclusion of the popular eSports Battle Royale IX, with Scott "Sco" McMillan lifting the trophy and claiming the first-place prize of €5,000, defeating Jordy "MojoOnPC" Janssens (€3,000) and Kevin "Papaplatte" Teller (€2,000). It's the second time McMillan cashed the Battle Royale this season, after finishing 3rd in London earlier this year.
Unibet Open Events in Malta at a Glance
| Year | Buy-in | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | €1,650 | 293 | €417,525 | Mateusz Moolhuizen | €117,000 |
| 2016 | €1,100 | 292 | €292,000 | Martin Soukup | €65,000 |
Day 1a of the €1,100 Unibet Open Main Event kicks off at noon local time. Both starting days will feature 10 levels of 60 minutes each, with a break after each two levels. A dinner break is scheduled at the end of level 6 and late registration will be open up until the start of level 7. As is traditional at the Unibet Open, the tournament will be played in freezeout mode.
Day 1 Level Structure
| Level | Small blind | Big blind | Ante |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 | 100 | 0 |
| 2 | 100 | 200 | 25 |
| 3 | 150 | 300 | 25 |
| 4 | 200 | 400 | 50 |
| 5 | 300 | 600 | 75 |
| 6 | 400 | 800 | 100 |
| 7 | 500 | 1,000 | 100 |
| 8 | 600 | 1,200 | 200 |
| 9 | 800 | 1,600 | 200 |
| 10 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 300 |
PokerNews will provide start-to-finish live reporting on the floor until a winner is crowned on Sunday, May 20.
Level: 1
Blinds: 50/100
Ante: 0
Cards in the Air, 79 Players at the Start
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
The shuffle up and deal has been announced and cards are in the air for Day 1a of the Unibet Open Malta Main Event. 79 players have taken their seats at the start.
The First Names
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
![[Removed:158]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
Kohegyi Leads Into Wrulich
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
After Reka Kohegyi had raised, Martin Wrulich made it 1,650 behind her and Kohgeyi called to see a flop. On a 
board, she carefully put a T-1,000 chip in the middle. Wrulich stared at her, smiled, then folded his hand. Kohgeyi smiled as well as she collected the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
32,000 | |
|
28,500 |
Photos: eSports Battle Royale IX
Check out the photo's from last night's eSports Battle Royale.
Photos by Tambet Kask / Unibet Open.
Level: 2
Blinds: 100/200
Ante: 25
85 Players at Level 2
Level 2
: 100/200, 25 ante
With level 2 underway, several more people have taken their seats and bumped the field up to 85. Not all of them are sitting down as of yet; players such as Dan Murariu are registered for Day 1a but are still playing in the €330 Unibet Deepstack Open Cup.
Among those to take their seats recently are Paul Berende, Alex van der Werf, George McDonald, Niko Koop, Ann-Roos Callens and Johan Guilbert.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 |
Grenet Sets the Trap
Level 2
: 100/200, 25 ante
With around 5,000 in the middle and the board reading 
, action was on Charly Grenet who checked. Pavao Veza bet 1,525, Dehlia de Jong called on the button, Grenet check-raised to 4,000, Veza called and De Jong folded.
The turn brought the 
and Grenet instantly checked. Veza mulled it over for a bit before betting 4,200 and Grenet, shrugging, flicked a T-5,000 chip in to call. On the 
river, Grenet checked and Veza checked behind.
Veza slapped 
on the felt for jacks full and Veza, logically, mucked his hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
45,000 | 45,000 |
|
|
25,000 | -5,000 |
|
17,000 | 17,000 |