Ben Heath in Final 15 in Quest for EPT Malta Title

Ben Heath is well aware that the final stages of a major poker tournament are where legends are made. At the 2025 PokerStars EPT Malta Main Event, the pressure is immense. From a starting field of 898 entries, only 15 players remain, all with their eyes on the €760,000 top prize. Among them is GTO LAB coach Ben Heath, who enters the penultimate day fifth in chips with a formidable 77-big-blind stack. This is more than just a deep run; it’s a live-action demonstration of elite poker tournament strategy.

With a stack of 2,320,000, Heath is in a powerful position. In the late stages of a tournament, a healthy stack is not just a defensive shield but a weapon. As the final table bubble approaches and the pay jumps become more significant, the concept of risk premium governs every decision. Shorter and medium stacks are forced to play with extreme caution, and a player like Heath can leverage this by applying relentless pressure. His 77 big blinds allow him to open wider, 3-bet more aggressively, and force opponents into ICM-heavy spots where they have to fold otherwise strong hands.

The Path to the EPT Malta Main Event Title

However, the path to the trophy is far from clear. The remaining field is a minefield of talent, including two of the most feared names in high stakes poker: Adrian Mateos and Juan Pardo. Mateos, a poker prodigy, captured his first EPT Main Event title a decade ago and has been a dominant force ever since. Pardo is another Spanish crusher with a reputation for fearless aggression who recently stopped by the GTO LAB Podcast to chat with coach Jon Jaffe. Navigating this lineup requires more than just technical skill; it demands a sharp poker mindset and the ability to adapt to world-class opponents.

For Ben Heath, EPT Malta also represents a chance to claim a title that has narrowly eluded him. His best EPT Main Event finish to date was a 12th-place run in Barcelona in 2018. Now, with a healthy stack and years more experience, he is perfectly poised to write a new chapter in his already stellar career. This isn’t just about the money; it’s about cementing a legacy.

Heath’s performance is a testament to the power of dedicated study and a deep understanding of advanced poker theory. The decisions made at this stage are heavily influenced by the Independent Chip Model, a crucial concept for any serious player. As explained in GTO LAB’s breakdown, ICM in Poker: What You Need to Know to Win Tournaments, every chip has a fluctuating real-dollar value that must be considered. Heath’s ability to balance aggression with precise ICM poker strategy is what separates the elite from the merely great.

As Day 5 gets underway, all eyes will be on the feature table. Ben Heath has the chips, the skill, and the experience to navigate this treacherous field. His journey through the final 15 will be a must-watch for any student of the game, offering a real-time masterclass in how to apply sophisticated poker tournament strategy when the stakes are at their highest.

Learn How to Crush Tournaments Like Ben Heath

Watching a pro like Ben Heath execute under pressure is inspiring, but understanding the theory behind his decisions is what separates aspiring players from elite winners. To get an inside look at the poker tournament strategy and advanced poker theory that powers deep runs like this one at EPT Malta, sign up for GTO LAB and start learning directly from the best in the game.

(Header Image Credit to Danny Maxwell of Rational Intellectual Holdings Ltd.)