EPT Malta is back in the headlines of poker news, and for good reason. The main event of the series not only attracted ambitious players from dozens of countries but also demonstrated how endurance, precise calculation, and strategy under pressure are key in the modern European stage. Alexey Boyko, a player with composure and experience, not only made it to the final table but also prevailed in the most intense hands of the tournament. His victory brought €260,000 in prize money, but more importantly, it secured a status that will last a long time.
When Preflop Is Half the Battle at EPT Malta
The format of EPT Malta doesn’t offer shortcuts to success. Starting stack of 30,000 chips, blinds increasing every 60 minutes, and a field of nearly 700 players, including high rollers with worldwide reputations. The tournament schedule looked tough: several satellites from PokerStars, a direct buy-in of €5,300, intense Day 1A and 1B, followed by a marathon distance of the second and third playing days. Mistakes left no room for recovery, and it was in such conditions that Boyko’s game strategy shone brightly.
The Moment Everything Changed
The key hand of the tournament was against Norwegian player Thomas Haugen. Boyko had pocket tens, while his opponent had suited AQ. The flop showed a Jack and two low cards, but the turn added an Ace. Most players in this situation would have folded. But Boyko, reading his opponent like an open book, raised, forcing his opponent to go all-in. The river didn’t help Haugen, and Alexey’s stack doubled. After that, no bank went uncontested — the bets controlled the table.
The Final Table: Psychological Distance
The final table of EPT Malta is not just a series of hands. It’s a chess match where every check or bet is read as a message. Only the strongest remained in the game: three representatives from Germany, an experienced Brazilian from the online scene, and a young player from Austria. But it was Boyko who set the pace — changing speeds, catching opponents on tells, calculating sizings to the chip. When blinds exceeded 100k/200k, most tried to survive. Boyko played. In the deciding hand on the river, he pushed all-in with a middle pair and blockers for a straight. The opponent couldn’t handle the pressure.
How the Strategy Worked: Adaptive Aggression
EPT Malta once again proved that winning is only possible with a flexible strategy. Boyko didn’t base his game on a single template. In the early stages, he chose a tight approach, and on the second day, he started isolating weak opponents with button raises and three-bets in position. In the final, he completely changed his style — reduced the number of opens but sharply increased post-flop pressure. This approach allowed him to collect pots without reaching a showdown. And in key moments, he took risks when he knew the EV was on his side.
Prizes at EPT Malta: More Than Just the Amount
The prizes at EPT Malta are impressive. A total of 103 players cashed, with a minimum payout of €8,120. Alexey took home €260,000, but what’s more interesting is that almost 80% of the finalists will reinvest this money in the next series. This means that the tournament not only meets immediate needs but also advances careers. Boyko has already confirmed his participation in EPT Prague and allocated part of his winnings to back a young player from the CIS. This is how a poker system is born: winnings go towards development, not just personal gain.
Poker in Detail: Cards That Don’t Forgive Haste
EPT Malta is not the tournament where chips are handed out in the lobby. Most games are deep poker. Players come in with hands like A9s or KJo, but it’s not they who win, but those who turn 76s into a check-raise on the flop. Alexey used a wide range of hands to his advantage: playing gappers, isolating with third pair, and putting pressure on medium-sized stacks. He especially effectively used medium-strength hands, not allowing opponents to build a predictable line.
Blinds and Time Pressure
As blinds increase, many players start to panic. But it was time control that became Alexey’s hidden weapon. He didn’t drag out the game but always used the allotted 15–20 seconds to think. This made opponents feel uncomfortable, especially in the final levels when the tournament turns into a battle of psychology rather than chips. The event once again showed that whoever controls time, controls the table.
Recommendations on how to win at EPT Malta:
Master the long distance — play for 10–12 hours without losing focus.
Adapt to different opponents — from tight players to maniacs.
Understand the math — not just odds, but implied and fold equity.
Apply ranges of aggression — vary sizings depending on the tournament stage.
Study the field — know who often 3-bets and who plays “by the card.”
Use your status — with authority, you can take down pots without a showdown.
Feel the rhythm — sometimes stepping back is more important than winning a hand.
Work on endurance — after a bad beat, it’s important not to tilt but to analyze.
Stick to the plan, but not blindly — adaptation is key.
Play until the end — as long as there are chips on the table, there’s a game.
Alexey Boyko is no longer a newcomer. His victory at EPT Malta is not a flash in the pan but the result of systematic work. He has been participating in PokerStars series since 2018, regularly cashing, investing in education, playing both online and offline. The victory in Malta is a logical step up, not just a stroke of luck. Players like him shape the face of European poker: collected, disciplined, and dangerous in any pot.
Conclusion
EPT Malta wouldn’t have been a sensation without players like Boyko. This tournament once again showed that poker is not about cards but about decisions. Here, success is not due to luck but to consistency, attention to detail, and self-control. Alexey didn’t just receive €260,000 — he received confirmation that he is moving in the right direction.
