MPNPT at the Battle of Malta Main Event Attracts a Record 3,815 Entries
The MPNPT at the Battle of Malta has been a massive success. The tournament has attracted a festival-record 3,815 entrants to generate a huge €1,850,750 prize pool.
The number of entrants is more than double of the previous record for a tournament in Malta, which incidentally was last year's Battle of Malta.
The Eden Arena at the InterContinental Hotel was jam-packed on Saturday, Oct. 27 with 1,548 entries competing alone during Day 1c and another 412 joining in on the action during the turbocharged Day 1d.
A total of 570 players bagged chips to Day 2 and are already in the money thanks to each of the four opening flights playing down to 15 percent of the total field.
Poland's Ondrej Jacubcik was the Day 1c chip leader with 632,000 in chips but he was eclipsed by Italy's Flaviano Cammisuli, who bagged a massive stack of 808,000. While these two players are in the driver's seat for the €300,000 top prize.
Also taking place on Saturday was the €110 Ladies’ Event, which drew 104 entries and paid out 15 places. The final table featured Mad Harper (10th place - €240) and Ana Marquez (second - €1,715). However, it was Sviksa Madara winning the trophy along with the €2,533 top prize.
Saturday also featured the €165 PLO Double Chance event. Daniel Hoyesveen outlasted a field of 125 entrants to win the event for €5,092.50.
Away from the tournament area, eligible MPNPT qualifiers were treated to air hockey, PlayStation and complimentary refreshments in the VIP Chill Out Area adjacent to the Casino Malta. This was also the venue for the ever-popular Live Fish Party sit-and-go tournaments, where players spin for the chance to play for prizes, including a jackpot prize of a package to the next MPN Poker Tour festival in Tallinn, in January 2019.
The side events and entertainments continue on Sunday starting off with the €245 NLH Siege of Malta at 3 p.m. and the €1,320 High Roller at 5 p.m. MPNPT qualifiers are also invited to enjoy the free bar in the VIP area at the official Battle of Malta party Sunday night no matter how things go at the tables.
Day 2 of the Main Event kicks off today at 1pm local time, and will play through eight one-hour levels. All the action will be reported live as it happens from the tournament floor over on the MPNPT blog.
