Malta Poker Challenge winner - Martin Sjöö [Team Expekt] from Sweden
Malta Poker Challenge 2009 at the Casino at Portomaso
This first year of Malta Poker Challenge attracted 92 players who paid €550 to enter the Main Event. Among the regular cards players and poker fans, the event also attracted 3 WSOP bracelet winners (Anders Henriksson, Mats Rahm and Ron Rose) and 2 Swedish Champions (Ola Brandborn and Micke Norinder).
The total prize pool reached €46000 and 10 places were paid out as follows:
1st - €13,600
2nd - €9,100
3rd - €6,100
4th - €4,600
5 th - €3,150
6 th - €2,700
7th - €2,300
8 th - €1,800
9 th - €1400
10 th - €700
20 players went through to day 2 after over 10 hours of play during day 1. Big chip leader after day 1 was Johan Söderström but he was knocked out on 18th place during day 2. Day 2 lasted over 11 hours until Martin Sjöö from Sweden defeated Rosario from Italy in a great and exiting Heads Up match.
Top 5 placings:
1st – Martin Sjöö (Sweden) - Team Expekt - Pictured above
2nd – Rosario (Italy)
3rd – Max Privitera (Italy)
4th – Daniel Mountford (Malta)
5 th – John Svensson (Sweden)