Karlsen Wins First CBO Trophy at New Home

The moment we have all been waiting for is here as the 2023 Coolbet Open kicked off at its new home at Banco Casino Bratislava, located in the heart of the majestic Slovakian capital.

Players arrived from near and far to enjoy a fun week of poker with a full schedule of 25 numbered events from Sept. 4-10 and cash games running around the clock. The 2023 Coolbet Open Bratislava guarantees a whopping €500,000 in prizes with €300,000 guaranteed to the crown jewel of the festival in the Coolbet Open €550 Main Event on Sept. 6-10.

The vibe was electric on the first day. Not just because the Coolbear is in town but also because of the spirit of the players the Coolbet Open is well-known for and the amazing hospitality at Banco Casino.

Ole Johnny Karlsen Wins Coolbet Open Warm-Up

The tournament action also kicked off in style with 120 entries getting into the mix in Event #2: Coolbet Open €115 Warm-Up. The final four players agreed to a deal before Norway’s Ole Johnny Karlsen defeated Estonia’s Karev Tralla heads-up to earn the first trophy of the 2023 Coolbet Open and the €2,245 top prize.

Karlsen is off to a hot start but his heater already began before yesterday as he managed to win four packages to the Coolbet Open online at Coolbet.

Karlsen and Tralla weren’t the only players to notch an early score from the €11,400 prize pool as the top 15 players walked away with at least a €200 min-cash.

The trophy was guaranteed to be awarded to a player from Norway or Estonia after Netherlands’ Jeroen Aarts hit the rail in ninth place for €315. Four Norwegians in Terje Jahn (fifth - €875), Coolbet’s Svein Olav Eidsaeter (sixth - €685), Endre Nesset (seventh - €515), and Christian Arsted (eighth - €400).

The scales were even when the four-way deal was made with two Estonians and two Norwegians remaining. Norway’s Asla Bloemacher (third - €1,535) and Estonia’s Veiko Aava (fourth - €1,550) banked four-figure scores before Tralla (second - €1,915) fell one player shy of winning the coveted trophy.

Coolbet Open Warm-Up Final Table Results

*Reflects four-way deal

2023 Coolbet Open Day 2 Schedule (Sept. 5)

Players (and perhaps the Coolbear) will have another chance to win a trophy on the second day of the 2023 Coolbet Open in Event #3: €225 PokerListings Deepstack at 5 p.m. This tournament is just as advertised with players starting with a huge stack of 50,000 in chips with blinds increasing slowly at every 25 minutes.

The PokerListings Deepstack is sandwiched between two satellites. A €60 qualifier guaranteeing at least two packages valued at €1,600 each to The Festival Series Bratislava also taking place at Banco Casino later in the year on Nov. 27 to Dec. 3. Meanwhile, a €60 mega satellite guaranteeing at least ten seats to the Coolbet Open €550 Main Event 8 p.m.

This is all on top of cash games running around the clock and the good times in the Coolbet Lounge. Check out today’s schedule below and head to the 2023 Coolbet Open Schedule landing page to check out the entire schedule.