The Battle of Malta (BOM) celebrated its 10th Anniversary between 28 October – 5 November 2025 with an incredible €2,000,000 guaranteed event prize pool, and KKPoker was delighted to be an official partner and offer our poker community the chance to win Main Event tickets and poker packages worth €1,060 from just $3!

One of the lucky winners was Romania’s Tudor-Daniel Moldovan.

Tudor entered the Battle of Malta arena with over 10 years of live poker experience, having grinded tournaments across Europe including many special events at the King’s Resort, Rozvadov.

Tudor took the opportunity he gained from the KKPoker online satellites to enjoy a varied tournament schedule, including the Main Event, the Bounty, Turbo Deepstack and Dark Knight.

KKPoker spoke with Tudor after his experience to learn his thoughts on some near misses, transitioning from online to live poker, and how setbacks ultimately help him move forward in poker.

How did you learn about the Battle of Malta satellites on KKPoker?

“I became aware of the Battle of Malta satellites through information posted on the official Battle of Malta website. It’s a great value opportunity. Qualifying online can save you lot compared to the direct buy-in since it was a $3 satellite into a $30 satellite and it had 4 nights of accommodation as part of the poker package to win!

“During the satellites, I focused on staying disciplined and avoiding unnecessary risks. A few key spots went my way; it was a mix of strategy and timing. A key hand, as i remember, was during heads-up, and I had 44 with 7.5bb vs my opponent’s 55bb, and I managed to turn it around and win 😊”

How did it feel transitioning from online play to sitting at the live tables in Malta?

“The transition was smooth overall. Online play helps sharpen focus and decision-making, but live tables add a new dimension: reading people, handling chips, and feeling the energy of the room. Sitting across from players from all over the world (67 different countries represented) was surreal. The atmosphere in Malta made it unforgettable.

“Online play built my analytical side, and hand-reading skills helped a lot with the technical side of the game. It definitely helped with decision-making and reading situations quickly. Still, the live atmosphere was completely different. Live play tested my composure and ability to adapt to real-time dynamics. There’s more emotion, body language, the pressure, it all feels different. Both complement each other well.

“The vibe was incredible in Malta! Players from all over the world, great energy at every table, and an overall feeling that everyone was there to enjoy poker and have a good time. It was a very well-organized event with a great balance between competition and community. The atmosphere was welcoming, yet still intense at the tables.”

How did you handle nerves or excitement once the event started?

“I tried to treat it like any other game; the adrenaline was real, but I used it as motivation. Once the first few hands were dealt, the excitement turned into focus. Staying present helped a lot.

“I managed the nerves by sticking to my usual routine, deep breaths, observing the table, and reminding myself that it’s the same game, just on a bigger stage.”

You came so close in several events — bubbling twice and just missing the money in others. How do you mentally deal with such fine margins in tournament poker?

“It’s never easy to bubble, but that’s part of tournament poker. I try to stay positive, learn from each run, I focus on the long term.

“Variance is part of the game. The key is to remain disciplined and keep confidence in your decisions. And remind myself that being close means I’m doing something right.“

You mentioned trying multiple satellites, even entering again live — what kept you motivated to keep grinding after setbacks? Was there a particular hand or spot that still sticks in your mind from the series?

“Consistency and mindset were key. I know that setbacks are inevitable in tournament poker, but maintaining focus and confidence through them makes all the difference.

“One pivotal hand that stood out was a deep-run coin flip near the bubble. Even though it didn’t go my way, it reinforced how important discipline and patience are.“

Despite some tough results, what positives did you take away from the experience?

“Every setback taught me something valuable. I improved my game, met great people, and experienced an amazing atmosphere.

“That alone made the whole trip worth it, and it’s just made me hungrier to come back stronger next time.“

Do you think these near-misses will change how you approach future tournaments or satellite strategies?

“For sure! Every near-miss teaches you something. I’ll use those lessons to come back stronger and smarter next time.

“I’m aiming to turn those deep runs into final tables!”

What was your best or most memorable hand from the series?

“I trapped an opponent in the bounty tournament with AK suited on an A Q K T board, as my opponent had a short stack. They had QT and it worked out 🙂 Usually, I aim to adapt to the situation. If I see a solid player, I try to be one step ahead of them!“

What lessons or takeaways did you get from playing against such a large and diverse field?

“Pick your spots well and patience is the key in live poker 😉“

Did you connect with other KKPoker qualifiers during the event?

“Yes, I met a few other KKPoker qualifiers during the event. It was great to share the experience and talk about how we all made it there.

“Two of the KKPoker qualifiers I met also had interesting stories, one who played only one hand in the main event, holding AA first hand and busted, and the other made the BOM Main Event final table!”

Do you plan to play more KKPoker online satellites?

“For sure, yes! I hope KKPoker will continue running satellites for BOM and other live locations.“

What’s next on your poker journey — more live events, online grind, or both?

“First of all, I will have a study period now and then a mix of live and online poker. Maybe more online, and I will try some satellites, especially those for the Banco Casino in Bratislava, as it’s near where I live.”

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