The Festival Series Bratislava is officially in the books after an unforgettable run at Banco Casino from Feb. 23 to March 1. I took a personal trip to check out the scene firsthand, marking my first visit to the venue since its impressive transformation from a full casino into Europe’s largest multi-floored smoke-free poker room.
The experience was thoroughly enjoyable, even with a few tournament losses along the way that I more than recouped in cash games. The friendly crowd made all the difference, amplified by the fantastic atmosphere cultivated by The Festival Series team and its founder, Martin “Franke” von Zweigbergk.
Without further ado, here are my top five moments from The Festival Series Bratislava.
Moment 1: Koen Roos’ Double Triumph
Koen Roos stole the spotlight by first snagging the Flaghunter GPI award at The Hendon Mob Championship for his insane record of 50 cashes across 50 countries in a single year. He followed it up immediately by dominating the €250 OFC Pineapple side event here, banking €5,040 and a second shiny trophy.
Roos was through the moon as what better way to celebrate a record-breaking Flaghunter GPI trophy with a trophy at the tables in what may be dubbed as the closest thing to chess in poker.
Moment 2: Ari Engel Lights Up Banco
Poker legend Ari Engel rolled into Banco Casino, bringing his star power and infectious energy to The Festival Series Bratislava. With nearly $10 million in total live earnings according to The Hendon Mob and an impressive four WSOP bracelets and 18 WSOP Circuit rings to his name, Ari, fresh off a Paris adventure, arrived hooked alongside his partner Jo, ready to conquer this vibrant scene.
The excitement peaked when he shipped the two-day €250 Sviten Special for €6,501, turning heads and proving why he’s a force in the game. His presence elevated the room, sparking buzz among players and pros alike as he celebrated with that signature grin.
Moment 3: Petros Theodosiou’s Epic Main Event Victory
The €550 Main Event lit up Banco Casino with 505 total entrants generating a tasty €239,875 prize pool, delivering non-stop drama until Cyprus’s Petros Theodosiou claimed victory after a gripping heads-up deal with Poland’s Zbigniew Wieczorek. Theodosiou secured €39,490 from the deal plus the trophy, while Wieczorek pocketed €36,000 as runner-up for his stellar deep run.
This triumph marked Theodosiou’s biggest career cash ever, nearly doubling his lifetime earnings on The Hendon Mob and thrusting him firmly into the poker spotlight. Coming from behind in the decisive flip, he electrified the railbirds and showcased the kind of grit that defines The Festival Series’ flagship events.
Banco Casino’s massive smoke-free floors provided the perfect backdrop for this showdown, with the energy building through every elimination until Theodosiou’s name etched itself into Festival history. Moments like these remind us why Bratislava has quickly become a must-visit stop on the European poker circuit.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petros Theodosiou | Cyprus | €39,490 |
| 2 | Zbigniew Wieczorek | Poland | €34,810 |
| 3 | Markus Gaulhofer | Austria | €19,850 |
| 4 | Pawel Dudnik | Poland | €14,700 |
| 5 | Henning Wendlandt | Germany | €11,300 |
| 6 | Dmitry Golushko | Belarus | €8,700 |
| 7 | Mark Mckenzie | United Kingdom | €6,950 |
| 8 | Stevan Gvozdenovic | Montenegro | €5,575 |
| 9 | Teemu Haellfors | Finland | €4,450 |
| 10 | Mladen Stojanovic | Croatia | €3,875 |
| 11 | Jo Kim | South Korea | €3,875 |
| 12 | Artur Meburnutov | Ukraine | €3,375 |
| 13 | Harald Redl | Austria | €3,375 |
| 14 | Ante Zvono | Croatia | €2,925 |
| 15 | Marko Siven | Finland | €2,925 |
| 16 | Tal Moriel | Israel | €2,625 |
| 17 | Olli Vahala | Finland | €2,625 |
| 18 | Polyvios Polykarpou | Cyprus | €2,325 |
| 19 | Michael Gehrmann | Germany | €2,325 |
| 20 | Komil Khamidov | Poland | €2,325 |
| 21 | Antonio Klaic | Croatia | €2,075 |
| 22 | Tonis Viik | Estonia | €2,075 |
| 23 | Hans Fernkvist | Sweden | €2,075 |
| 24 | Barnabas Nagy | Hungary | €1,850 |
| 25 | Nu Li | China | €1,850 |
| 26 | Hauke Nettkau | Germany | €1,850 |
| 27 | Christopher Briggs | Netherlands | €1,850 |
| 28 | Vadym Teslenko | Ukraine | €1,650 |
| 29 | Daniel Halon | Poland | €1,650 |
| 30 | Lukasz Ratajczyk | Poland | €1,650 |
| 31 | Stefhan Wredh | Sweden | €1,650 |
| 32 | Dennis Packert | Germany | €1,475 |
| 33 | Adam Lawniczak | Poland | €1,475 |
| 34 | Timo Koivusalo | Finland | €1,475 |
| 35 | Juha Vaininen | Finland | €1,475 |
| 36 | Piotr Swietek | Poland | €1,475 |
| 37 | Stefan Oprea Ignat | Romania | €1,475 |
| 38 | Pyry Kyrojoki | Finland | €1,475 |
| 39 | Marco Herman | Netherlands | €1,475 |
| 40 | Michal Kokocha | Poland | €1,325 |
| 41 | Alexey Shilov | Cyprus | €1,325 |
| 42 | Jiri Dusek | Czech Republic | €1,325 |
| 43 | Andrej Tekel | Slovakia | €1,325 |
| 44 | Danny De Vos | Belgium | €1,325 |
| 45 | Joel De Reuver | Netherlands | €1,325 |
| 46 | Ivan Fedor | Slovakia | €1,325 |
| 47 | Sebastian Kotowicz | Poland | €1,325 |
| 48 | Thor Morstol | Norway | €1,175 |
| 49 | Tambet Nugin | Estonia | €1,175 |
| 50 | Jari Rattya | Finland | €1,175 |
| 51 | Peter Bumba | Austria | €1,175 |
| 52 | Youssef Gadou | Belgium | €1,175 |
| 53 | Toni Sarkama | Finland | €1,175 |
| 54 | Vincenzo De Donato | Italy | €1,175 |
| 55 | Vitalii Shcherba | Ukraine | €1,175 |
| 56 | Viacheslav Sultanov | Ukraine | €1,050 |
| 57 | Eran Lin | Israel | €1,050 |
| 58 | Oleksii Lezhepokov | Ukraine | €1,050 |
| 59 | Anastasios Apostolou | Greece | €1,050 |
| 60 | Vincent Laurent | France | €1,050 |
| 61 | Manuel Dickinger | Austria | €1,050 |
| 62 | Jiri Kocab | Czech Republic | €1,050 |
| 63 | Le Thien Minh Trang | Netherlands | €1,050 |
| 64 | Stefan Raschbauer | Austria | €1,050 |
Moment 4: Thrilling Debut of 10-Game Mix
The Festival Series Bratislava pulled out all the stops by introducing the two-day €1,100 10-Game Mix, a fresh addition that quickly became one of the series’ hottest draws. This multi-skill showdown, spanning games like No-Limit Hold’em, PLO, Stud, and more, drew 44 entrants and built a hefty €41,800 prize pool, proving its instant appeal to versatile grinders hungry for mixed-game action.
The field overflowed with talent, from high-stakes mixed-game specialists to online mixed mavens, creating buzz across Banco Casino’s sprawling floors as players swapped disciplines every level. The event’s popularity shone through packed side action and rail-side chatter, with many calling it a game-changer for The Festival’s lineup.
Ukraine’s Sergii Baranov emerged victorious, outlasting the star-studded field to claim the trophy and the €14,225 top prize, capping an amazing run that highlighted his mastery across the ten variants. This debut not only smashed expectations but also set the stage for more mixed-game spectacles in future stops, cementing Bratislava’s rep as a mixed-game haven.
Moment 5: Bonds Forged in Cards and Camaraderie
Nothing beats the thrill of reuniting with old poker pals and forging new connections amid the green felt chaos at The Festival Series Bratislava. From deep chats with longtime grinders over Banco Casino’s endless cash game tables to swapping stories with rising stars, the week overflowed with those serendipitous moments that turn a tournament series into a family reunion.
A highlight was catching up with Matthew Kelly, the affable American pro whose energy lit up the room and whose insights on the evolving European scene sparked some of my most memorable conversations. Whether trading tournament war stories or debating the merits of the new smoke-free setup, these interactions reminded me why poker transcends the chips.
The Festival nails the sweet spot, blending cutthroat competition with genuine social vibes that keep players coming back year after year. Martin “Franke” von Zweigbergk and his team craft an environment where rivalries fuel the action, but friendships steal the show, making Bratislava not just a stop on the circuit but a highlight of the poker calendar.
Looking Ahead: Vilnius and Rozvadov Await
The Festival Series Bratislava wrapped up triumphantly, but the action keeps rolling with two massive stops on the horizon. Kicking things off, The Festival Weekend lands in Vilnius, Lithuania, from May 28-31 at the Olympic Casino Lietuva, delivering a stacked tournament slate and side events packed with local passion and global talent right in my home city.
Following close behind, The Festival Series Rozvadov storms King’s Resort from June 9-15, featuring the €500,000 guaranteed €550 Main Event, marquee side events, and relentless poker in one of Europe’s top grinding destinations. These precisely timed events embody Martin “Franke” von Zweigbergk’s formula for success, which combines fierce battles with unbeatable hospitality.
From Vilnius’ electric streets to Rozvadov’s legendary tables, these series cement The Festival’s dominance on the circuit. Don’t sleep on booking your seat. These are the spots where legends are made and memories etched in poker history.
- Images courtesy of Mairo Toom / The Festival Series
