Battle of Malta 2026 Results: Tereza Vernerova Makes History as Runner-Up Wins More

The Battle of Malta 2026 results have delivered a historic first: Tereza Vernerova is the first woman to win the Battle of Malta Main Event.

The Czech player defeated Ofer Tadmor heads-up to capture the 2026 Autumn Edition championship at Casino Malta, earning €162,635 and the coveted Knight Trophy.

The €600 Main Event attracted 5,368 entries and produced a €2,413,281 prize pool, comfortably exceeding its €1.5 million guarantee.

However, one detail makes the final result particularly interesting: the runner-up actually won more money than the champion.

Despite finishing second, Tadmor collected €175,000, compared with Vernerova’s €162,635. That unusual outcome resulted from a three-way Independent Chip Model (ICM) deal agreed before the tournament reached heads-up play.

It was a dramatic conclusion to a final table in which Vernerova started with the chip lead, lost a substantial pot against a straight flush, recovered through important calls and double-ups, and eventually secured the championship with trip tens.

With 726 paid positions and an originally advertised first-place prize of €227,835 before the deal, the event also provides a useful real-world example of how tournament payout agreements work.

Here are the complete Battle of Malta 2026 Main Event results, the decisive hands, and the explanation behind one of the year’s most unusual final-table payouts.

Who Won the Battle of Malta 2026 Main Event?

Tereza Vernerova of the Czech Republic won the Battle of Malta Autumn 2026 Main Event for €162,635.

The victory made her the first female champion of the festival’s flagship Main Event, according to the tournament organizer and PokerNews.

She defeated Israel’s Ofer Tadmor in the final heads-up match after more than 12 hours of final-table action.

The final stage concluded November 4, with major winner reports and official recaps published November 5.

In her post-victory interview, Vernerova described being overwhelmed by the moment and especially proud of the historical significance of the title.

She celebrated with her husband, who had supported her throughout the tournament, before lifting the Knight Trophy.

According to the official Battle of Malta winner’s report, Vernerova entered the final stage as the chip leader but faced several major setbacks before recovering to win.

Battle of Malta Autumn 2026 Main Event: Quick Facts

These figures represent reported tournament results and gross payouts, not verified personal profits after entry costs, travel expenses or taxes.

Battle of Malta 2026 Final Table Results and Payouts

The final eight represented eight different countries, highlighting the international field attracted by the Battle of Malta.

After the final three players negotiated an ICM deal, the actual payouts differed from the original tournament prize ladder.

Complete Final Eight Results

*The top three negotiated an ICM deal. The organizer’s final results table lists €124,000 for Malatynski, while PokerNews and an individual elimination report list €125,000. The organizer’s summary also rounds Vernerova’s prize to €162,630 in one location, although its detailed calculation and PokerNews confirm €162,635. This article uses the organizer’s final-table allocation of €124,000 for third place and the mathematically supported €162,635 winner’s total.

The important point is that Vernerova finished first and received the trophy, even though Tadmor’s previously negotiated deal entitled him to a larger monetary payout.

That outcome is entirely possible in poker tournaments where prize deals are permitted.

Why Did Second Place Win More Money Than the Champion?

The most surprising result of the 2026 Battle of Malta was the difference between the first- and second-place payouts.

Normally, a poker tournament’s original prize schedule gives more money to first place than second.

However, that payout schedule can change if the remaining players agree to a permitted deal.

In this case, the last three players negotiated an Independent Chip Model deal, commonly called an ICM chop.

At the time of the agreement, Tadmor held the largest stack.

That gave him a stronger position in the deal calculation, allowing him to lock up €175,000.

Vernerova secured €140,000, while James Malatynski received the third allocated share.

The players left €22,635 and the trophy to compete for.

Battle of Malta Three-Way ICM Deal

The three allocated deal amounts total €439,000.

Adding the €22,635 reserved for the eventual champion produces €461,635, equal to the total of the original top-three prize ladder.

Therefore, the deal changed how that remaining prize money was distributed, rather than creating an additional prize pool.

How Much More Did the Runner-Up Win?

Tadmor’s final payout exceeded Vernerova’s by:

€175,000 – €162,635 = €12,365.

He finished second but had already secured the largest share of the remaining prize money when the ICM agreement was completed.

Vernerova earned the additional winner’s reserve and the trophy by defeating him heads-up.

For a detailed explanation of these agreements, read our Poker Tournament Deals and ICM Chops Guide.

What Is an ICM Deal in Poker?

ICM stands for Independent Chip Model.

It is a mathematical framework used to estimate the monetary value of tournament chip stacks based on the remaining prize structure.

Unlike a cash game, tournament chips cannot generally be exchanged directly for an identical amount of money.

For example, owning twice as many tournament chips as an opponent does not mean your share of the remaining prize pool is necessarily worth twice as much.

ICM accounts for the structure of the remaining payouts and the distribution of chips.

Why Would Players Agree to an ICM Chop?

Several considerations can make a deal attractive:

• Reducing the financial uncertainty of the remaining tournament.
• Securing a substantial payout immediately.
• Avoiding the possibility of losing a much larger prize through one hand.
• Accounting for differences in chip stacks.
• Leaving a smaller amount to play for alongside the championship title.

However, agreeing to a deal does not prove that the participants are afraid to continue or lack confidence in their skills.

It is a financial decision that can be reasonable under particular circumstances.

Why Not Divide the Money Equally?

An equal split ignores the fact that some players may hold substantially more tournament chips than others.

For example, a player controlling most of the chips is generally in a different tournament position from someone holding only a few big blinds.

ICM provides a mathematical basis for discussing their respective positions.

However, the final negotiated amounts may also depend on player preferences and any tournament rules governing deals.

For a deeper introduction to the mathematical model, see our ICM in Poker Guide.

Why Was the Original First Prize €227,835?

Before the three-way agreement, the Battle of Malta Main Event had an ordinary payout schedule.

The published original first-place prize was €227,835.

However, that amount was not the champion’s final payout after the deal.

Original Top-Three Payout Structure

After the deal, the three players secured different amounts from the same total.

That is why an early report or live payout graphic might show €227,835 available for first place, while the final winner’s result shows €162,635.

Both numbers can be accurate in their own context, but they describe different stages of the tournament.

When reporting the actual championship result, the final agreed payout should be used.

How Tereza Vernerova Reached the Battle of Malta Final Table

Vernerova entered the final stage with one of the most commanding stacks in the tournament.

According to the official live coverage, she held approximately 68.7 million chips when the field was reduced to its last eight players.

That represented more than one-third of the chips in play.

She had collected a series of important pots during the previous day, including confrontations involving pocket kings.

However, her large stack did not make the final table easy.

Several opponents doubled up, the chip lead changed hands, and Vernerova eventually found herself under substantial pressure.

Starting Stacks for the Final Eight

These figures are rounded from the published final-day chip counts.

Importantly, the smallest stack can still recover through one or more double-ups, particularly when the blinds represent a substantial proportion of the remaining chips.

That is why a final-table chip lead is an advantage, not a guarantee of victory.

The Straight Flush That Nearly Ended Vernerova’s Chances

One of the most important hands of the final stage occurred against Ofer Tadmor.

Vernerova held pocket fours, while Tadmor held ten-nine suited in diamonds.

The two players became involved in a substantial pot that ultimately produced a straight flush for Tadmor.

The Straight Flush Hand

On the turn, Tadmor had already completed a ten-high straight flush using 6♦, 7♦, 8♦, 9♦ and 10♦.

Vernerova continued in the hand and made a large 20-million-chip river bet after Tadmor checked.

Tadmor responded with an all-in raise.

Vernerova folded, preserving her remaining chips but surrendering a huge pot.

According to the official straight flush hand report, Tadmor emerged from the confrontation with approximately 95.1 million chips.

Vernerova fell to approximately 22.4 million.

At that moment, her position had changed dramatically from the beginning of the final table.

Why Was This Hand So Important?

The confrontation illustrates how quickly tournament chip leads can change.

Vernerova began the final day with a commanding stack but lost a substantial portion of it in one hand.

However, she did not lose all of her chips.

The ability to continue playing allowed her to recover and eventually become champion.

It is also important not to confuse the hand’s dramatic outcome with proof that every earlier decision was necessarily incorrect.

Evaluating the strategy accurately requires considering the stack sizes, ranges, previous actions and information available during the hand.

The Hero Call That Brought Vernerova Back

Another pivotal moment came against James Malatynski after the three-way deal.

Malatynski attempted a multi-street bluff, but Vernerova held top pair and refused to fold.

Vernerova vs Malatynski: The Decisive Call

Vernerova checked the flop, turn and river.

Malatynski bet all three streets, finishing with an all-in river bet.

After considering the decision and using additional thinking time, Vernerova called with her pair of kings.

Her hand was ahead of Malatynski’s pair of sixes, and she collected a major pot.

The call helped her recover into contention, while Malatynski was left with a much shorter stack.

The hand is documented in the official Battle of Malta hero-call update.

Was This a Good Bluff Catch?

In the actual showdown, the call was successful.

However, calling a river shove with one pair is not always correct.

A player’s decision should depend on the opponent’s likely value hands, possible bluffs, pot odds, previous betting and remaining stack sizes.

The result of a single hand can illustrate an important decision without establishing a universally profitable strategy.

How James Malatynski Finished Third

After losing the major pot to Vernerova, Malatynski was left short-stacked.

He later moved all in holding J♣ 5♣ against Tadmor’s pocket fours.

The board ran 9♠, 10♦, Q♠, 10♥ and 10♠.

Tadmor finished with a full house, tens full of fours, eliminating Malatynski in third place.

However, Malatynski had already secured his negotiated payout through the ICM deal.

That distinction is important because an elimination after a deal does not necessarily restore the original third-place prize.

The agreed prize allocation remains relevant under the tournament’s accepted deal conditions.

The Heads-Up Battle: Vernerova vs Ofer Tadmor

With Malatynski eliminated, Vernerova and Tadmor began heads-up play for the Knight Trophy and the €22,635 reserved for the champion.

Tadmor started the match with a chip advantage.

However, Vernerova quickly recovered through a major hand in which she flopped trips.

A Crucial Heads-Up Hand

Vernerova held 9♥ 4♣ against Tadmor’s K♣ 8♥.

The flop came 8♣ 4♠ 4♦.

Vernerova had three fours, while Tadmor had a pair of eights.

The K♠ turn gave Tadmor two pair, kings and eights, strengthening his hand but leaving him behind Vernerova’s trips.

The resulting all-in confrontation gave Vernerova a major advantage.

However, Tadmor continued to fight and found further double-ups, so the tournament did not end immediately.

Battle of Malta 2026 Final Hand: 10-4 Wins the Championship

The title was ultimately decided in a hand that began with Tadmor holding J♥ 7♥ and Vernerova holding 10♦ 4♣.

Both players reached a flop of 7♣ 10♣ 10♥.

Tadmor moved all in and Vernerova called with three tens.

The Final Hand

Tadmor’s pair of sevens could not catch up.

The turn and river completed the board without changing the winner.

Vernerova collected the final pot, ending the heads-up contest and becoming the first woman to win the Battle of Malta Main Event.

The exact hand is recorded in PokerNews’ live tournament coverage.

For readers interested in the strategic differences between full-table and two-player poker, see our Heads-Up Poker Strategy Guide.

How Big Was the Battle of Malta 2026 Prize Pool?

The €600 Main Event generated €2,413,281 in prize money.

Its original guarantee was €1,500,000.

That means the final prize pool exceeded the advertised minimum by €913,281.

Battle of Malta 2026: Guarantee vs Final Prize Pool

These figures demonstrate that the event comfortably surpassed its published minimum prize commitment.

However, they do not establish the organizer’s total profit, because operating costs, entry fees and other financial arrangements are separate from the prize pool.

Did the Battle of Malta 2026 Have an Overlay?

No Main Event overlay is indicated by the reported numbers.

An overlay normally occurs when eligible prize-pool contributions fall below the advertised guarantee and the operator must cover the shortfall.

In this case, the final prize pool was substantially larger than the guarantee.

How Many Players Cashed in the Battle of Malta 2026?

The official tournament record lists 726 paid positions from 5,368 entries.

That represents approximately 13.5% of the total entry count.

However, the entry count does not necessarily represent 5,368 distinct individuals.

The tournament included multiple starting flights and re-entry opportunities.

Therefore, an individual player may have contributed more than one entry.

The percentage is useful for understanding the event’s published payout structure, but it is not a precise calculation of the probability that a particular individual would cash.

Why Is the Battle of Malta Called a €600 Event?

The Autumn Main Event was advertised primarily as a €600 tournament.

However, the published schedule also featured selected €300 starting flights.

Those lower-cost flights used different starting-stack and blind-level conditions while feeding into the same overall Main Event.

For example, the main €600 flight structure listed a 40,000-chip starting stack with 40-minute levels.

Selected €300 flights used a 20,000-chip stack and shorter levels.

That means players should not assume every one of the 5,368 entries cost the same €600.

It would also be incorrect to calculate the tournament prize pool simply by multiplying 5,368 by €600.

Actual contributions depend on the different flight structures and fees.

For a broader explanation of how blind levels, starting stacks and entry formats influence tournaments, see our Poker Tournament Structure Guide.

Who Is Tereza Vernerova?

Tereza Vernerova is a Czech poker player who became the first female Battle of Malta Main Event champion in November 2026.

Before this victory, she had recorded smaller live tournament cashes, including a result at the 2025 WSOP Circuit Amsterdam stop.

According to PokerNews, her previous largest recorded tournament cash was approximately €3,022.

Winning €162,635 at the Battle of Malta therefore represented a substantial increase over her previously reported results.

However, recorded live cashes should not be treated as an exhaustive measure of every game a player has participated in or their lifetime profitability.

Why Is Her Victory Historically Important?

The Battle of Malta has attracted international poker fields for many years.

Women have participated in its tournaments, but the organizer confirms that Vernerova is the first woman to win the flagship Main Event.

That makes her achievement historically significant within this specific tournament series.

It should not be confused with a claim that she is the first woman ever to win a major open poker tournament.

Other female players have previously won major poker championships around the world.

For more context about their achievements, see our Women in Poker Guide.

What Is the Battle of Malta Knight Trophy?

The Battle of Malta awards its flagship champion a distinctive Knight Trophy.

It is a symbolic part of the event’s identity and is separate from the tournament’s financial payout.

For Vernerova, winning the trophy also meant becoming part of the event’s history as its first female Main Event champion.

According to the organizer’s winner interview, she was particularly emotional when celebrating with her husband after the final hand.

Her victory was also followed by an invitation connected with the Battle of Malta’s announced 2027 tour plans.

However, that invitation should not automatically be interpreted as a guaranteed tournament entry package, travel allowance or cash prize without reviewing its actual terms.

What Can Poker Players Learn From Vernerova’s Victory?

Although most poker players will never participate in a final table with millions of euros at stake, the 2026 Battle of Malta illustrates several useful tournament principles.

1. A Big Chip Lead Does Not Guarantee Victory

Vernerova started the final day with more than one-third of the chips in play.

However, a confrontation against Tadmor’s straight flush caused her stack to fall dramatically.

The championship was not decided by who started the final day with the most chips.

2. Tournament Deals Can Change the Original Payouts

The original first-place prize was €227,835.

After the deal, Vernerova received €162,635 and Tadmor received €175,000.

Neither amount was an error simply because it differed from the original schedule.

These were the amounts resulting from the accepted payout agreement.

3. The Best Finish Does Not Always Mean the Largest Cash Prize

Vernerova was the champion, but Tadmor earned more money.

That is an important distinction between a tournament’s official finishing order and the financial terms negotiated during play.

4. A Successful Bluff Catch Can Change a Final Table

Vernerova’s call against Malatynski’s river shove was a crucial moment in her recovery.

However, the correct decision in another similar-looking hand could be different.

Players should assess ranges, betting patterns and pot odds rather than copy a televised decision without context.

5. Large Tournament Fields Create Substantial Variance

More than 5,000 entries competed in the Main Event.

Even skilled players can experience long periods without making a deep run in such large fields.

The champion’s result demonstrates an exceptional tournament performance, not a predictable return available to ordinary entrants.

Our Poker Variance and Downswings Guide explains why tournament results can fluctuate significantly.

Battle of Malta 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Battle of Malta 2026 Main Event?

Tereza Vernerova of the Czech Republic won the Autumn 2026 Main Event, defeating Ofer Tadmor heads-up.

How much did Tereza Vernerova win?

She received €162,635, consisting of €140,000 from the three-way ICM deal plus the €22,635 reserved for the eventual champion.

Was Tereza Vernerova the first female Battle of Malta champion?

Yes. The tournament organizer confirmed that she became the first woman to win the Battle of Malta Main Event.

Who finished second at Battle of Malta 2026?

Ofer Tadmor of Israel finished runner-up and received €175,000 after the three-way deal.

Why did Ofer Tadmor win more money than the champion?

Tadmor held the largest stack when the final three negotiated an ICM deal. He locked up €175,000, while Vernerova secured €140,000 and subsequently won the remaining €22,635.

How much more did second place receive?

Tadmor received €12,365 more than Vernerova.

What was the original first-place prize?

Before the deal, €227,835 was allocated to the winner under the original payout schedule.

What was the total Battle of Malta 2026 prize pool?

The final prize pool was €2,413,281, exceeding the advertised €1.5 million guarantee.

How many entries were there?

The tournament attracted 5,368 entries, including participation through multiple starting flights.

How many players were paid?

The official tournament results list 726 paid positions.

Where was Battle of Malta Autumn 2026 held?

The festival took place at Casino Malta in St Julian’s, Malta.

When did the Main Event finish?

The final table was scheduled for November 4, 2026, and official winner reports were published November 5.

What was the Main Event buy-in?

The headline Main Event buy-in was €600, although selected €300 starting flights offered a different entry structure.

What was Tereza Vernerova’s winning hand?

She held 10♦ 4♣ against Tadmor’s J♥ 7♥. She flopped three tens and held through the river to win the championship.

Who finished third?

James Malatynski of the United Kingdom finished third. The organizer’s final results table lists €124,000, while some other live reports list €125,000.

What is an ICM chop?

An ICM chop is an agreement to divide remaining tournament prize money using estimates of the monetary value of the surviving players’ chip stacks.

Does the chip leader always receive the most in an ICM deal?

The chip leader commonly has the highest estimated payout share, but actual agreements depend on chip distributions, remaining prizes and negotiated terms.

Can the winner receive less money than second place?

Yes. If a permitted deal awards more money to a player who subsequently finishes second, the official winner can receive a smaller payout while still claiming the title and trophy.

What is the Battle of Malta Knight Trophy?

It is the trophy awarded to the festival’s flagship Main Event champion, separate from the cash payout.

Where can I check the official Battle of Malta 2026 results?

Visit the Battle of Malta official winner’s report or the PokerNews final payout database.

Final Thoughts: A Historic Battle of Malta Championship

The Battle of Malta Autumn 2026 Main Event will be remembered for two remarkable outcomes.

First, Tereza Vernerova became the tournament’s first female Main Event champion after outlasting a field of 5,368 entries.

Second, the unusual three-way ICM deal meant that runner-up Ofer Tadmor earned €175,000, more than the champion’s €162,635 payout.

The tournament generated €2,413,281 in prizes, comfortably exceeding its €1.5 million guarantee and paying 726 positions.

Vernerova’s journey through the final table was far from straightforward.

She began with a commanding lead, lost a huge confrontation against a straight flush, recovered through important calls, and eventually defeated Tadmor heads-up with trip tens.

Her victory illustrates how rapidly tournament fortunes can change, even for a player who begins the final stage with an enormous advantage.

It also demonstrates that poker tournament titles and monetary payouts are related but not always identical outcomes.

The key takeaway: Tereza Vernerova made Battle of Malta history as its first female Main Event champion, earning €162,635 after a three-way ICM deal, while runner-up Ofer Tadmor received €175,000 from the same agreement.

Editorial note: This article covers the Battle of Malta Autumn 2026 Main Event using the organizer’s November 5 winner report and official live updates, supported by PokerNews and CardPlayer. Minor payout inconsistencies appear across published sources, particularly the third-place total and a €5 difference in one champion summary. Where figures differ, those discrepancies have been disclosed. Reported tournament prizes are gross payouts and do not establish participants’ personal net profits.