Czech player Tereza Vernerova has made poker history in Malta, becoming the first woman ever to win the Battle of Malta Main Event. She outlasted a field of 5,368 entries in the €600 buy-in flagship of the 2026 Autumn Edition at Casino Malta, then beat Israel’s Ofer Tadmor heads-up after a final table that lasted more than 12 hours.
Tereza Vernerova’s Battle of Malta triumph paid €162,635 through a three-way deal, a payout reported as the largest of her career. The prize pool had originally earmarked €227,835 for the champion, so the deal left €22,635 plus the Knight Trophy still on the line.
Battle of Malta Main Event at a Glance
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Event | 2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Main Event |
| Venue | Casino Malta |
| Buy-in | €600 |
| Entries | 5,368 |
| Original first prize | €227,835 |
| Champion | Tereza Vernerova (Czechia) |
| Runner-up | Ofer Tadmor (Israel) |
| Champion’s payout after deal | €162,635 plus the Knight Trophy |
| Final table length | More than 12 hours |
Final Table Results and Payouts
The top three players chose to chop the prize pool, so their figures reflect deal money rather than straight finishing payouts.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tereza Vernerova | Czechia | €162,635* |
| 2 | Ofer Tadmor | Israel | €175,000* |
| 3 | James Malatynski | United Kingdom | €125,000* |
| 4 | Lulei Hu | China | €62,150 |
| 5 | Marios Kapiris | Greece | €43,400 |
| 6 | Rosario Saddemi | Italy | €32,000 |
| 7 | Ivane Khazaradze | Georgia | €25,150 |
| 8 | Marco Lopez Coronado | Spain | €21,150 |
*Three-way deal.
How the Final Table Unfolded
Vernerova sat down as chip leader, yet she admitted to nerves because she had never played a final table of this size. Lulei Hu began as the short stack and refused to fade, doubling early with a set against James Malatynski and surviving several more close calls.
Marco Lopez Coronado was the first casualty. He lost most of his chips to Marios Kapiris, then shoved the rest and ran into a flush, finishing eighth. Vernerova found it hard to widen her lead in these early levels because her aggression kept meeting resistance, but she stayed patient and remained in front for roughly the first four hours.
Then momentum swung. Malatynski doubled again, collected a big river payoff from Hu and climbed to the top of the counts. Tadmor also struck, winning a large pot from Vernerova with a straight flush to take the chip lead. Malatynski soon sent Hu out in fourth place.
The Three-Way ICM Deal
With three players left, Tadmor, Vernerova and Malatynski agreed to an ICM chop that guaranteed each of them a six-figure payout. A further €22,635 and the Knight Trophy were held back, so the title still carried real weight.
Malatynski switched from a passive approach to an aggressive one after the deal, and it backfired. Vernerova made a well-timed hero call against his river shove, leaving him short, and he was eliminated soon after in third place. That set up a heads-up match between Vernerova and Tadmor.
Heads-Up: Vernerova Closes It Out
The duel was competitive from start to finish. Vernerova seized control after flopping trips against Tadmor’s top two pair, a pot that returned the chip lead to her. Tadmor kept battling and doubled through more than once, but Vernerova steadily tightened her grip.
The final hand arrived when Tadmor pushed all-in on a paired flop. Vernerova called instantly with trip tens, the turn and river missed him, and the Knight Trophy was hers.
Tereza Vernerova’s Battle of Malta Reaction and the 2027 Tour
After embracing her husband, Vernerova said the win ranks among the best feelings of her life and left her almost speechless. She credited him with preparing her for the final table and with keeping her fed and hydrated through the long days. The trophy, she said with a smile, will be the biggest one in their home collection.
The victory also earns her an invitation to the 2027 Battle of Malta tour, which heads to Barcelona, Bratislava and Tallinn before returning to Malta for its summer edition. Bratislava is near her home country, and she has visited Tallinn before on the WSOP Circuit. Whether she will defend her title in Barcelona, where the series debuts next year, remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Main Event?
Tereza Vernerova won the Battle of Malta Main Event, defeating Ofer Tadmor of Israel heads-up.
How much did Tereza Vernerova win?
She received €162,635 under a three-way ICM deal, with the Knight Trophy decided by the remaining play.
Why is this win historic?
Vernerova is the first woman to win the Battle of Malta Main Event.
How many players entered the Main Event?
The €600 tournament drew 5,368 entries.
Where will the Battle of Malta go in 2027?
The tour plans stops in Barcelona, Bratislava and Tallinn, plus a summer return to Malta.
