This week, poker communities from across Europe and beyond have gathered on the beautiful island of Malta for an extraordinary occasion. Remarkably, Malta’s two most iconic poker events are happening simultaneously, sparking excitement and discussion among players, fans, and media.
I, Melvin Schroen, am here on the island to dive into this unique showdown between the Malta Poker Festival and the Battle of Malta, two celebrated live poker series with a fascinating history.
A Tale of Two Tournaments
If you recall, PokerListings was one of the early backers of the Battle of Malta, helping to build it from the ground up.
After several successful years, however, the Battle of Malta brand was sold to new investors, who moved the event from its original home at Portomaso Casino to Casino Malta. This change not only brought a fresh structure to the Battle of Malta but also created an opportunity for Portomaso Casino to launch a new series.
In 2018, Ivonne Montealegre, previously involved in the Battle of Malta, collaborated with Portomaso Casino to introduce the Malta Poker Festival.
Planning Challenges: The Same Week Showdown
Historically, these two events were scheduled back-to-back, allowing players from around the world to enjoy two weeks of high-stakes poker action, each featuring a marquee Main Event. However, in 2024, this rivalry reached a climax as both events were scheduled in the same week, prompting much speculation.
Many wondered if this unusual overlap was a competitive gambit. However, a closer look at the logistical planning reveals that practicality likely played a significant role. Organizing a live poker series isn’t as simple as picking dates from a calendar—hotel availability, among other factors, greatly influences timing. In this case, the available dates in October and November left no alternative but to run both events concurrently.
David vs. Goliath: Comparing the Events
It’s hard not to compare this scenario to a David versus Goliath match-up, or for football fans, a showdown between Manchester City and Aston Villa. Or, in the online poker world, think GGPoker versus PokerStars. In terms of size, the Battle of Malta is significantly larger than the Malta Poker Festival. For instance, the guaranteed Main Event prize pool stands at €1,500,000 for BoM versus €500,000 for MPF.
The buy-ins for the Main Event also differ (€600 at BoM and €550 at MPF), and there’s an administrative fee that takes a small cut from the prize pool (5% at BoM versus 4% at MPF). Beyond finances, both events have distinct partnerships and formats. The Battle of Malta, in particular, has experimented with new ideas, including full-price and half-price turbo-format opening flights. Additionally, BoM rewards the top three stacks from each opening flight—a feature players love, as it guarantees rewards for those leading at Day 1, even if they don’t make it far in Day 2. This unique structure allows chip leaders to walk away with a prize, adding an immediate payoff to their efforts.
Meanwhile, the Malta Poker Festival, led by Montealegre, offers a more streamlined experience. Consistent buy-ins, familiar partners, and a standardized format have made the MPF a reliable and enjoyable event for returning players.
Prize Pools and Player Numbers
Let’s break down the numbers from both Main Events. MPF completed its opening flights yesterday, drawing a total of 2,045 entries and nearly doubling its guaranteed prize pool to close to €1 million, with €140,000 reserved for the winner.
Battle of Malta, with its €1.5 million guarantee, reached an astonishing 5,799 entries, resulting in a prize pool of over €2.5 million. The first-place prize will likely range between €400,000 and €500,000.
Experiencing the Events: Atmosphere and Venue
Each venue adds a unique flavour to the experience. The Malta Poker Festival is held at Portomaso Casino, located in the stunning Portomaso Bay area and directly connected to the Hilton Hotel. The casino’s ample space, opened up by conference rooms for major live events, still felt packed due to the massive turnout this year. The staff mentioned that, while they expected a big turnout, the scale of success exceeded their expectations, and the waiting list grew almost as large as the player pool itself. An impressive feat, with the dedicated staff putting on a stellar show.
On the other side of the island, the Battle of Malta unfolds at Casino Malta, one of Malta’s most modern gaming venues, connected to the Intercontinental Hotel. The scale here is equally impressive, and poker capitals like King’s Resort in Rozvadov would envy the expansive setup. One of BoM’s starting flights alone drew 1,759 entries—almost matching the total turnout of MPF in a single session!
Battle of Malta’s “Bigger is Better” Mentality
The Battle of Malta’s brand is defined by a “Bigger, Better, Bolder” mentality, and the scale of the event lives up to this promise. From the first step inside, players and visitors are met with an electrifying atmosphere. The enormous player count and flawless organization create a gladiatorial ambience—stepping into this arena feels like being Russell Crowe in *Gladiator*.
The Battle of Malta truly reflects a Champions League-level experience, with a robust team led by Diane Fenech and a vast number of staff members to support every aspect of the event, from social media teams to video crews, making MPF look modest by comparison.
Stay Tuned for the Final Showdown!
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