Poker Pros coming to Malta

The past weeks has confirmed the popularity of Malta as an attractive poker destination, with several famous professional poker players spotted around the island.

Among the well-known poker figures that have chosen Malta as a poker den is Marcel Luske. The “flying dutchman” has recently arrived and was seen playing cash games at Portomaso Casino or the Omaha tournament at Dragonara Casino. With more than $3.7 million of poker winnings all around the world, Luske is one the most famous european poker players. He received the European Poker Awards’ Lifetime Achievment Award in 2008. Currently a member of Team PokerStars Pro, Luske is also a singer and his first album was presented last december at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas.

Marcel Luske, awarded in Paris for his poker career

Another younger poker star was spotted in Malta, playing cash games last week-end at Portomaso Casino: John Tabatabai. The runner-up of the World Series of Poker Europe in 2007 (defeated by Annette Obrestad), sponsored by Betfair, has already $1.3 million of winnings on live poker events but obviously enjoyed playing €1/2 tables.

While tourists have started to join the action in all Maltese casinos, Everest-sponsored professional player Steven van Zadelhoff ($500,000 of winnings) and WSOP bracelet holder Marcus Naalden ($1.2 million) are now among them. The Russian, PKR-sponsored Vladimir “Beyne” Geshkenbein is also a regular in Malta.

Is Malta becoming a new heaven for poker pros?