In a landmark victory that will reverberate through the poker world, Tereza Vernerova became the first woman ever to win the Battle of Malta Main Event, sealing her win through grit, timing—and a dramatic ICM deal.
The poker world witnessed a historic moment at Casino Malta when Czech pro Tereza Vernerova emerged victorious in the 2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Main Event, becoming the first woman to ever claim the title.
Vernerova’s win caps off a large and grueling €600 no‑limit hold ’em tournament that drew 5,368 entries. In a final table that spanned more than 12 hours, she outlasted a stacked field, sealing the deal with a well-timed ICM agreement before clinching the trophy and a life-changing payday.
The Moment That Made History
According to PokerNews, Vernerova overcame Ofer Tadmor heads‑up to secure the championship. The tournament had initially reserved €227,835 for first place, but after a three‑way ICM chop—including James Malatynski—the Czech champion took home €162,635 and the coveted Knight Trophy. The runner‑up, Tadmor, earned €175,000 under the deal despite finishing second on the felt.
Similarly, Poker News Daily confirms the entry numbers, payout amounts, and iron‑clad fact that Vernerova is the first woman to win the event, underscoring the significance of the milestone.
A Breakdown of the Final Table
The final eight featured a high‑octane mix of talent. Vernerova, Tadmor, Malatynski, Lulei Hu, Marios Kapiris, Rosario Saddemi, Ivane Khazaradze, and Marco Lopez Coronado battled deep into the night for the title. Alvarez-style tension reigned for more than a dozen grueling hours before the deal was struck. PokerNews lays out the full payouts—for instance, Hu earned €62,150 for fourth place, Kapiris €43,400 in fifth, and so on, with Coronado exiting first at the final table for €21,150.
Card Player adds compelling context, noting the huge turnout pushed the guarantee from €1 million to over €2.4 million in prize pool, converting to roughly $2.7 million USD. Vernerova’s €162,635 equated to a personal‑best live cash of about $182,151—shattering her previous career high of just $3,288. The same report confirms she also earned 660 Card Player Player of the Year points, marking her first entry into the 2026 leaderboard.
How the Final Unfolded
Vernerova navigated a dynamic and shifting final table. She began the day with the chip lead, but momentum shifted first to Malatynski—who surged forward after a big river confrontation—then to Tadmor, who captured the chip lead with a straight‑flush knockout against Vernerova. Yet the Czech persevered, and when play reached three-handed, all eyes turned to the ICM deal that locked in sizable payouts for all.
As PokerNews recounts, Vernerova turned the tables on Malatynski with a bold river hero call, and later shoved from the button with 9♥4♣ against Tadmor’s K♣8♥. Her flop of 8♣4♠4♦ flopped trips held through to the river, a pivotal hand that propelled her into the chip lead and ultimately the title.
Card Player also relays her rush of adrenaline: “I can’t even put it into words because I’m speechless,” she said to PokerNews reporters, calling the win “one of the best feelings in my life.”
What This Means—and What’s Next
This victory is more than a personal milestone for Vernerova—it’s a landmark for women in live tournament poker. She now stands as the first female Battle of Malta champion, a breakthrough in a field historically dominated by men.
Beyond the trophy and personal record, the win secured Vernerova an invitation to join the Battle of Malta’s inaugural 2027 tour, which includes stops in Barcelona, Bratislava, Tallinn, and a return to Malta for the summer edition, per PokerNews. As a Czech player, Bratislava offers geographic proximity and sentimental pull, while Tallinn evokes fond memories from her previous WSOP Circuit visits.
For Vernerova, the win represents a shift in trajectory—from relative obscurity to making waves in the pro poker scene. With prize money, points, and tour invitations lined up, she’ll enter 2027 with momentum—as well as the new weight of expectations.
Closing Thoughts
When a final table stretches past 12 hours and includes a three-way ICM deal, it’s the emotional and psychological endurance that matters as much as preflop decisions. That Vernerova held her nerve—and seized the moment—is the real story behind the numbers. Her first major cash, followed by a historic win and a career-defining moment, feels like the start of something much bigger, for her and for women at the poker tables everywhere.
Sources
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