Anyone who plays poker in Slovakia or nearby has surely heard of the Masters. This most iconic tournament, held at Banco Bratislava, has been making history since 2016. The first Banco Casino Masters had a guarantee of €100,000, which was quite impressive at the time. Over the years, interest in the tournament grew, and so did the guarantee.
The guarantee first increased after the COVID era, spurred by the poker boom brought to Slovakia by Polish players. Already then, the casino's partnership with the Polish market was flourishing, and in 2022, Banco Bratislava decided to elevate the guarantee to a stunning €250,000. Since then, the Masters series has set several records.
The biggest boom for the Masters occurred between April 2022 and January 2023, when records were shattered. In April 2022, the tournament recorded 1,831 entries, exceeding a €300,000 prizepool. In October 2022, there were 2,108 entries, and the absolute record was set in January 2023 with an incredible 2,420 entries, distributing nearly €350,000 among players. The champion that month was Mike Hansen from Denmark, taking home €53,673 after a 3-way deal.
In its 10-year history, 43 champions have been crowned, each taking home tens of thousands of euros. In total, more than €6.5 million has been distributed among players, a respectable amount. Starting next week, you can become part of the history as the 44th edition of the Banco Casino Masters kicks off in Banco Bratislava, with a €250,000 guarantee.
The 44th Champion Will Soon Be Revealed
The Banco Casino Masters is back with its 44th edition, set to name another champion in history. From June 15 to June 22, all Main Event flights will take place, culminating in a champion's crowning on the final day. Players will compete for a €250,000 guarantee, with an entry fee of €170. You'll start with 40,000 chips and have 12 levels for registration. Only 10% of players from the entries will advance to Day 2, and the champion will be crowned in the finals on June 22 in front of cameras.
Schedule for the 44th Edition of Banco Casino Masters
This time, the best in each flight will also have a Chipleader Bonus, distributing €2,600 among three players with the largest stacks.
• 1st place – €1,500
• 2nd place – €750
• 3rd place – €350
The biggest novelty of this year's Banco Casino Masters is the premiere of the SPT Challenger High Roller tournament, which will have a €20,000 guarantee. The tournament emerged from a collaboration between Banco Bratislava and Spade Poker.
The tournament entry is set at €550, with a starting stack of 100,000 chips. You can look forward to a two-day structure and a professional livestream. During Day 1, play will continue until the final table is set. All finalists will meet in the finale and compete for the first title on camera. The SPT Challenger High Roller represents a new opportunity for players seeking higher buy-ins, quality competition, and the atmosphere of televised poker.
