The Slovak Poker Championship Main Event concluded yesterday with the final day, featuring the top nine players out of 1,467 entries. The prize pool soared to 216,552 euros, with the largest payouts decided in last night's finale. The champion was set to receive a 30,782€ reward, including a 550€ ticket for the upcoming Swedish Poker Championship. You could follow the final battles live on our website, where all the action unfolded:
Slovak player Pavel Chalupka also reached the final table, but fell short of progressing further, settling for seventh place and a 4,570€ payout. By the first break, we heard "seat open" six times, leaving just three players after the break: Israel's Meir Chen, Norway's Johnny Hofseth, and Sweden's Max Isac Nilsson. It ultimately came down to the two Scandinavian players vying for the title and the accompanying prize of 30,782€.
The players quickly agreed on an ICM deal and played for an additional 5,000€.
- Johnny Hofseth – 23,562€ including a 550€ ticket
- Max Isac Nilsson – 21,650€ including a 550€ ticket
Johnny Hofseth, a Norwegian regular with over 45 years of experience, recently finished as the runner-up in the 44th Banco Casino Masters, earning over 30,000€. His opponent, Swedish player Max Isac Nilsson, has far less experience, having only played poker for a year and facing his first televised table. His greatest concern at the final table was Johnny Hofseth, who entered heads-up as the chipleader.
Nilsson managed to get back in the game and had Hofseth on the ropes in a preflop all-in. With A4, Nilsson was behind Hofseth's A8. The flop brought a four, giving Nilsson plenty of outs, but an eight on the river evened the stacks between the players.
Nilsson's fears vanished in the final hand when he pushed all-in with a set of fives on an A576A board. Hofseth called after some thought with A4. With this play, Max Isac Nilsson celebrated a career-defining poker success, becoming the third Slovak Poker Championship winner. Along with the title and trophy, he took home 26,650€, including a 550€ ticket. Congratulations!
Slovak Poker Championship 2026 Main Event:
| # | Name | Country | Payout |
| 1. | Nilsson Max Isac | Sweden | 26100€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ GTD |
| 2. | Hofseth Johnny | Norway | 23012€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ GTD |
| 3. | Chen Meir Shimon | Israel | 13020€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ GTD |
| 4. | Toubib Luis Ernst | Austria | 9640€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ GTD |
| 5. | Debreczeni David Robert | Hungary | 7420€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ |
| 6. | Garcia Sarasola Alba | Spain | 5710€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ GTD |
| 7. | Chalupka Pavel | Slovakia | 4570€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ GTD |
| 8. | Janczarski Michal Mariusz | Poland | 3650€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000 |
| 9. | Taborski Darko | Croatia | 2920€ + Ticket 550€ to Banco Championship 250,000€ GTD |
The Olympus Poker Festival Kicks Off
Amidst the final day of the SPC, the Olympus Poker Festival also began at Banco Bratislava, introducing new formats and unique trophies for the champions of Olympus.
Complete Olympus Poker Festival Schedule
