Nitu Wins Banco Casino Masters 45th
Romanian player Alexandru Bogdan Nitu won the 45th Banco Casino Masters in Bratislava after a heads-up deal, taking home €28,540 plus a €350 ticket.
Romanian Player Takes Down Banco Casino Masters #45
The 45th edition of the Banco Casino Masters has concluded in Bratislava, with Romanian player Alexandru Bogdan Nitu emerging as the champion. Nitu secured the title following a heads-up deal, collecting €28,540 along with a €350 ticket to the Main Event EVBets, which carries a €300,000 guarantee and is scheduled for December 2026.
The main event drew 1,724 entries across its opening days, with the top nine players advancing to the televised final table. The nine finalists competed for a first-place prize of €33,180 before the deal was struck. Each final table participant was guaranteed at least €2,420 plus a €350 ticket to the EVBets Main Event.
Final Table Starting Stacks
The final nine took their seats at 4:00 PM, with Slovakian player Peter Steinberger holding the chip lead at over 11 million chips. The starting stacks were as follows:
- Peter Steinberger (Slovakia) – 11,025,000
- Mattia Floris (Italy) – 10,050,000
- Daniel Vertes (Hungary) – 9,875,000
- Alexandru Bogdan Nitu (Romania) – 9,100,000
- Cheng Wei Yin (Belgium) – 7,775,000
- Peter Bodis (Hungary) – 6,900,000
- Alexandros Nanos (Greece) – 5,600,000
- Milosz Sebastian Siedlecki (Poland) – 4,425,000
- Ioannis Nanos (Greece) – 3,850,000
Steinberger, the original chip leader, ultimately finished in fifth place, earning €7,760 plus a €350 ticket. In heads-up play, the final two players agreed to a deal, after which Nitu defeated Alexandros Nanos to claim the victory. Nanos took home €23,540 plus a €350 ticket as runner-up.
Full Final Table Payouts
- Alexandru Bogdan Nitu (Romania) – €28,540 + €350 ticket
- Alexandros Nanos (Greece) – €23,540 + €350 ticket
- Mattia Floris (Italy) – €13,570 + €350 ticket
- Milosz Siedlecki (Poland) – €10,130 + €350 ticket
- Peter Steinberger (Slovakia) – €7,760 + €350 ticket
- Ioannis Nanos (Greece) – €5,740 + €350 ticket
- Daniel Vertes (Hungary) – €4,380 + €350 ticket
- Cheng Wei Yin (Belgium) – €3,120 + €350 ticket
- Peter Bodis (Hungary) – €2,420 + €350 ticket
Upcoming Events at Banco Bratislava
Cash game enthusiasts can look forward to the Merlin Cash Game Tour, running from tomorrow through Sunday at Banco Bratislava.
The partnership between Banco Bratislava and the Israeli poker community continues to flourish. Following two successful festivals in September, the Israeli Federation Cup returns from October 6-12, featuring an enhanced €300,000 Main Event with a €200 buy-in. The first edition demonstrated the potential of uniting the Israeli poker community, international players, and Banco Bratislava. October's edition promises to be bigger, with the Main Event introducing a shot clock for the first time, setting a time limit on decisions.
The Israeli Federation Cup emerged from a collaboration with the IPC (Israeli Poker Championship), one of the oldest and most respected Israeli poker organizations. The IPC has long been a unifying force for a vast community of players, organizing major international poker excursions.
November brings another highlight: the Polish Poker Championship 2026, taking place from November 4-16. The festival features a €500,000 Main Event with a buy-in of just €150. After last year's record of 7,740 entries, organizers are aiming for new heights.
The year wraps up with the inaugural EVBETS LIVE festival, debuting in pre-Christmas Bratislava from December 15-20. Players can expect a Main Event with a €300,000 guarantee, High Rollers, unique side events, and the Banco PlayZone with prizes worth several thousand euros.
FAQ
- Alexandru Bogdan Nitu from Romania won the 45th Banco Casino Masters after a heads-up deal, earning €28,540 plus a €350 ticket to the EVBets Main Event.