Come to EPT Malta and enjoy getting lost

October 6, 2025

Live Poker

by Howard Swains

watch_later

3 Minute Read

The European Poker Tour (EPT) has occupied some spectacular premises in its two decades of existence. But this venue, part of Casino Malta and adjoining the vast Intercontinental Hotel in San Giljan, is arguably the most elaborate of them all.

That’s not necessarily “elaborate” to mean “sophisticated” or “ostentatious”, though there are definitely elements of those. It’s more to mean “labyrinthine” or “complicated”. This place is hilariously vast, spread across numerous rooms and several floors of one of the biggest hotels in the country.

For what seems to be the first time in EPT history, the logistics team has had to lay strips of tape to the floor directing people through the venue’s long corridors to the various tournament rooms. Furthermore, the floorplan of the EPT venue necessitates a “YOU ARE HERE” marker. (It’s a red spade of course.)

How to find your way around EPT Malta

CATHEDRAL-LIKE SPACE

For anyone who has been coming to the EPT for a long time, a new venue is always an exciting development. This is the first time since Cyprus in 2023 that we’ve visited a new spot (albeit in a country we’ve previously been to) and in some ways this venue recalls the Merit property in Kyrenia.

The main tournament room is enormous. There are 65 tables in its central portion, all below a high ceiling that gives the impression of natural light pouring down from on high. It’s artificial, unfortunately, but the cathedral-like feel of the room promotes space and airiness.

There are a further 10 tables in an adjoining tournament space, room today for the final stages of the PokerStars Open, plus an area with Spin & Go tables ready for anyone who want to play the three-handed games. These tables are alongside advertising screens promoting the next Spin & Go Championship scheduled for Paris next spring, and there’s a way to qualify for the event here.

Also on this level is a cafe bar, the registrations desk, the PokerStars Store and the Information Desk. It’s huge.

But it doesn’t stop there. Downstairs on Level 2 of the hotel is Tournament Room 2, which at time of writing hosts the $100K Super High Roller event plus the €550 HORSE. This tournament room sits alongside the atrium that houses the PokerStars Travel and PokerStars Select desks, as well as the EPT trophy cabinet.

None of this even mentions the cash game area, which is housed inside the main Casino Malta. It has 22 poker tables, spreading games from €2-€5 hold’em through €20-€50 PLO. (The games change per demand.)

Follow the tape…

SO NEAR, BUT YET…

The previous three EPT Malta festivals all took place in Portomaso Casino, which is only a short walk down the road from this venue. However, the feel of the place is very different. The previous venue was comparatively sleepy, while this spot is in the very centre of Malta’s party district. There are numerous bars and nightclubs less than one minute’s stagger from the Intercontinental, plus many chain restaurants featuring familiar western brands.

There’s a cinema and bowling alley in the same complex, so plenty of options for off-the-felt entertainment too.

But Malta is a very small country, and it’s also very easy to find oneself in a more secluded area. Only a short bus or taxi ride will take you into any number of charming villages seemingly untouched since the Middle Ages. It’s those kinds of maze-like urban centres that could really do with some directional sticky tape on the floor, but it doesn’t tend to stick to the cobblestones.

In short, the messaging coming out of EPT Malta is clear: there’s something here to satisfy the tastes of anyone, be they poker enthusiast or more traditional tourist. There are plenty of tournaments — no fewer than 72 on the busy schedule — but it’s fun just to veer off the beaten path to find something else as well.