Aurelio Vallone Wins Grand Event at 2025 Malta Poker Festival

Italian poker player Aurelio Vallone took home his first major live title at the 2025 Malta Poker Festival Spring Edition, winning the $101,220 Grand Event and securing his first-ever major tournament victory. This breakout result further solidifies Aurelio Vallone's Malta Poker debut as one of the biggest stories of the series.

The tournament, held at Portomaso Casino in St. Julian’s, ran from April 27 to May 5. It attracted 1,202 entries, pushing the prize pool to approximately $594,855—well beyond its $321k guarantee. Vallone, a full-time online cash game player, entered the final table as one of the shorter stacks. He gained momentum in the final stages and closed strong. After a heads-up deal with Germany’s Carsten Mawick, Vallone secured the biggest payout and the trophy. The win marked his first recorded live tournament result.

Key Details of the Event

Event: 2025 Malta Poker Festival–Spring Edition Grand Event
Location: Portomaso Casino, Malta
Buy-in: $590
Entries: 1,202
Prize Pool: ~$594,855

Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize ($)
1	Aurelio Vallone	Italy	$101,220*
2	Carsten Mawick	Germany	$73,190*
3	Antonio Scala	Italy	$46,545
4	Domenico Lando	Italy	$34,400
5	Matteo Ferrara	Italy	$26,805
6	Vincenzo Popolo	Italy	$19,740
7	Alexander Maskell	United Kingdom	$13,850
8	Egon Holdhus	Norway	$11,610
9	Dragan Ignjatovski	North Macedonia	$9,150

*Payout reflects a heads-up deal between the final two players.

Smart Moves, Big Finish

Vallone’s run wasn’t without risk. He was down to just four big blinds with two tables left but stayed disciplined through ICM spots. The turning point came when he eliminated Matteo Ferrara in fifth place with A♠K♦ versus a dominated ace, which gave him the momentum to outlast his remaining opponents.
His coach, Antonio Scala, who finished third, also credited Vallone’s ability to apply pressure and adjust smoothly from online deep stacks to live tournament pacing.
In the final hand, Vallone’s J♦10♠ flopped top pair and turned into trip jacks, outplaying Mawick’s A♣K♣ to close it out.

Vallone on the Win

“This was a big step for me,” Vallone told PokerNews after the win. “I didn’t expect much—this was really about testing myself in a new setting. I made some mistakes, but overall I’m proud of how I played.”
He also emphasized that while this win meant a lot, it doesn’t mean he’s stepping away from cash games anytime soon. “Tournaments are exciting, but online is where I’ve built consistency. This just gives me more freedom to choose what I want to play next.”

What’s Next?

Along with his six-figure payday, Vallone earned a $2,355 seat to the Malta Poker Festival’s Fall Edition this October, where he’ll have the chance to defend his title. However, while Vallone made it clear that he’s not stepping away from online cash games, he did hint at a more flexible approach moving forward—balancing high-stakes online volume with select international events across Europe.
“I’ll definitely keep studying and improving,” he said. “Cash will always be my focus, but tournaments like this give me new motivation. I’m excited to see where it leads.”

For more upcoming international stops and event schedules, visit our Poker Tournament Calendar or explore the Best Online Poker Sites for US Players to hone your game.

Sandra is a content writer and digital creative with 10+ years of experience across Web3, crypto, NFTs, iGaming, wellness, and media. She creates blog content, email campaigns, and brand copy for companies ranging from early-stage ventures to established platforms. She currently writes for Legal US Poker Sites, continuing to grow her presence in the digital content space.