The Festival Bratislava: Main Event Faces Guarantee Challenge, Huge Overlay as a Life Opportunity

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Main Event Far from Guaranteed, Only 45 Players in Day 2

The Festival Main Event €500,000 GTD faces its last two starting chances, with Banco Bratislava announcing that an incredible €325,000 is still needed to meet the guarantee!

So far, only 45 players have secured their spots in Day 2, with a guaranteed min-cash, and they will compete on Sunday for a place in the final day. For everyone else, the doors remain open, offering two last chances for qualification today!

Friday's Main Event schedule included two flights – Day 1C and Day 1D. Together, they recorded only 204 entries, from which 26 players advanced. They have sealed their chips and will return tomorrow for Day 2, where no one will leave empty-handed.

Day 1C Advancers:

Day 1D Advancers:

Last Chance to Fight for Value

Today's Main Event kicks off at noon, with all eyes on whether the guarantee can still be approached. For players, this scenario is ideal – a small player field, a gigantic guarantee, and an overlay rarely seen in live tournaments. If you're seeking a tournament where you can play for big money against a relatively small field, this Saturday in The Festival Series is the moment you don't want to miss.

Successful The Hendonmob Championship

The Main Event was traditionally preceded by the “Mini Main Event” – The HendonMob Championship with a €250 buy-in. The accessible entry combined with the prestigious brand attracted a massive 467 entries, distributing €99,821 in winnings.

Fifty-eight players made it to the ITM phase, but Czech player Ondřej Chlápek had the most reasons to celebrate. The seasoned player navigated the international field, ultimately turning his €250 buy-in into an impressive €19,346.

PLO High Roller in the Hands of Scotsman Graham Clarkson

While the Main Event is still struggling with its guarantee, some prestigious side events have already crowned their champions. Last night, we saw the conclusion of the PLO High Roller with a €1,100 entry fee, attracting 46 participants and creating a €43,700 prizepool.

Scotsman Graham Clarkson bested the four-card duel. Following a heads-up deal, he collected €13,700 at the cashier, along with a handcrafted portrait awarded to all series champions of The Festival.

High Roller Title Goes to Hungary

The High Roller Texas Hold’em with a €1,100 entry and €30,000 guarantee did not disappoint. A total of 36 entries exceeded the guarantee, allowing players to share even more than initially planned. The trophy and the largest portion of the prizepool are taken home by Hungarian player Gábor Deak, who earned €12,700 for his performance.