The latest major live tournament series to pivot to an online festival comes to the GGPoker network this weekend.
GGPoker hosts the 2020 Battle of Malta, set to run Nov. 1-22. The all-online version of this year's festival takes the place of the land-based Battle of Malta, originally scheduled for October at the Casino Malta by Olympic Casino.
The festival runs annually from the Southern European island nation, and since its inception in 2012, the Battle of Malta has earned a reputation as one of the world's most popular poker events.
While the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of this year's live festival, players can now turn to the online streets at GGPoker to compete in the familiar Battle of Malta events. The online version of the 2020 Battle of Malta features affordable buy-ins and large prize pools, keeping with the tradition of the live version of the festival.
The GGPoker iteration of the festival offers 15 events, with more than $30 million guaranteed across the series.
"With over $30 million to play for, this year’s Battle of Malta will be just as attractive to poker players as previous year’s live festivals,” said GGPoker Director of Live Events & Sponsorships John Scanlon in a press release. "We hope that everyone who planned to play poker in Malta this year will be able to take part, and can’t wait to see who will be crowned this year’s Main Event champion!"
2020 Battle of Malta offering big guarantees
Buy-ins for the Battle of Malta range from $55 to $5,250, with most of the 15 tournaments offering action for $215 or less. The series includes four tournaments that come with seven-figure guaranteed prize pools.
The pinnacle event of this year's series comes in Event #14: $550 Main Event. The centerpiece tournament offers multiple Day 1 flights, starting Nov. 8.
Those players advancing from the Day 1 flights come back to play Day 2 on Nov. 22, and that flight plays down to the final table. The final day of the Main Event commences Saturday, Nov. 28, streamed on the GGPoker.TV channel.
The Main Event guarantees $3 million, the largest prize pool of the series. Other big-money tournaments on the Battle of Malta schedule include a pair of seven-figure guarantees running Sunday, Nov. 8.
Event #6: High Roller Championship, comes at a $5,250 buy-in, the largest of the series. Also on Nov. 8 runs Day 2 of Event #7: Siege of Malta. The Siege of Malta includes multiple opening day flights, and Day 2 will see Event #7 play down to the final table.
Both of those tournaments guarantee $2 million, with the Siege of Malta final table playing out on the GGPoker.TV channel Saturday, Nov. 14.
Event #11: Mini Main Event, mimics the structure of the Main Event. The $55 buy-in tournament offers a $1 million guarantee, with the final table streamed Saturday, Nov. 21.
All 2020 events offer the chance to win a Battle of Malta ring, as per the tradition of the live version of the festival. The GGPoker series will also incorporate a series leaderboard, with the top 50 players from the series earning a share of more than €50,000 in Battle of Malta 2021 live packages.
Featured image source: Twitter
