Tereza Vernerova made Battle of Malta historical past this fall, outlasting a 5,368-entry area within the €600 no-limit maintain’em major occasion. She turned the primary lady to seize a Battle of Malta major occasion title.
“I think it’s one of the best feelings in my life. I can’t even put it into words because I’m speechless,” Vernerova advised PokerNews stay reporters on web site. “I’m very happy to be the first woman champion.”
For the win, Vernerova earned a brand new personal-best payday of €162,635 ($182,151 USD). Prior to this victory, her greatest event money had been the $3,288 she earned for a 123rd-place displaying in a €1,100 occasion ultimately yr’s WSOP International Circuit Amsterdam cease. She additionally secured 660 Card Player Player of the Year factors. This was her first certified rating within the 2026 race, which is sponsored by CoinPoker.
Thinning A Massive Field
The large turnout for this occasion noticed the €1 million assure greater than doubled. The €2,413,281 last complete amounted to greater than $2.7 million when rendered in U.S. {dollars}. The high 726 finishers bought a minimize, with notables to money together with 2025 champion of this occasion Candido Cappiello (71st) and Jon Kyte (twenty first).
Vernerova held the chip lead going into the ultimate day, with eight gamers nonetheless in competition. She remained atop the counts by the point the sector had been minimize to 5, however misplaced an enormous chunk of her stack when she bluffed right into a turned straight flush for Ofer Tadmor. She rapidly bounced again with a double-up, although, with pocket kings besting Ok-Q for Marios Kapiris. The Greek participant was left on fumes after that and was quickly despatched packing in fifth place ($48,608).
Tadmor’s pocket fours held towards a short-stacked Lulei Hu, turning a set to remove Hu in fourth place ($69,608).
Vernerova Comes Out On Top After Striking Three-Way Deal
The last three quickly hashed out an ICM deal that locked up $196,000 for Tadmor because the chip chief, $156,800 for Vernerova, and $140,000 for James Malatynski. That left the trophy and $25,351 to play for.
Malatynski edged forward of Vernerova within the early going. She turned the tables, although, choosing off a triple-barrel bluff from the UK resident to maneuver again into second chip place.
Tadmor claimed the remainder of Malatynski’s stack with pocket fours. He made a full home towards Malatynski’s unimproved J-5 suited to bust him in third place.
Heads-up started with roughly a 3:2 chip lead for Tadmor. It wasn’t lengthy, although, earlier than a pivotal hand turned the match in Vernerova’s favor. Vernerova raised from the button with 9♥4♣ and Tadmor defended his massive blind with Ok♣8♥. The flop got here down 8♣4♠4♦ and Tadmor led out for 7,000,000 with eights up. Vernerova known as in place with journeys and the Ok♠ flip gave Tadmor kings and eights. He check-shoved over Vernerova’s 15,000,000 guess. She snap-called and the A♥ river gave her the pot and the chip lead.
Tadmor discovered a few double-ups to maintain his hopes alive a bit longer, however he ultimately bumped into journeys once more to complete because the runner-up. The chips went in on a 10♥10♣7♣ flop with Vernerova holding 10♦4♣ towards J♥7♥ for Tadmor. The Ok♣ flip and 3♣ river saved her hand greatest to ship Tadmor dwelling with the $196,000 he negotiated for.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
| 1 | Tereza Vernerova | $182,151 | 660 |
| 2 | Ofer Tadmor | $196,000 | 550 |
| 3 | James Malatynski | $140,000 | 440 |
| 4 | Lulei Hu | $69,608 | 330 |
| 5 | Marios Kapiris | $48,608 | 275 |
| 6 | Rosario Saddemi | $35,840 | 220 |
| 7 | Ivane Khazaradze | $28,168 | 165 |
| 8 | Marco Coronado | $23,688 | 110 |
| 9 | Jakub Skurzynski | $21,168 | 55 |
Photo credit score: Casino Malta.
