Israeli Federation Cup 2 at Banco Casino: 300,000 Euro and Shot Clock Debut

Banco Casino in Bratislava continues its series of international poker highlights by bringing back a format that caused quite a stir earlier this year. From October 6 to 12, 2026, the second Israeli Federation Cup will take place. The organizers are responding to the enormous popularity of the premiere in January, when 2,290 entries pushed the original prize pool of 250,000 Euro to an impressive 389,300 Euro. At that time, Haim Struol secured the victory and a prize money of 58,680 Euro after a three-way deal. Now, the bar is being raised to accommodate the rush of the international poker community.

A particularly exciting development for both the local scene and travelers from abroad is the introduction of a technical innovation. For the first time, a shot clock will be used at Banco Casino. This time measurement is intended to make the pace of play in the Main Event more dynamic and prevent individual players from disrupting the flow of the game by thinking for an excessively long time. For many professionals, this tool has long been standard at major international tournament series, but in Bratislava, this test run marks a turning point in tournament organization. The decision on whether the shot clock will stay permanently depends largely on player feedback during this week.

Numbers and facts

The Main Event of the Israeli Federation Cup offers a prize pool guarantee of 300,000 Euro with an unchanged buy-in of 200 Euro. It is played with a starting stack of 100,000 chips, with level durations varying between 30 and 60 minutes. In addition to the main tournament, various side events are on the schedule. The most exclusive tournament of the week is the High Roller event on Thursday and Friday with a buy-in of 450 Euro plus a 50 Euro fee, where 20,000 Euro is guaranteed. For cash game lovers, tables start as usual with blinds of 1/3 Euro for No Limit Hold’em and 2/2 Euro for Pot Limit Omaha. The organizers standardly withhold a 10 percent fee and 6 percent for staff, unless otherwise stated.

Background

The cooperation with the Israeli Poker Championship (IPC) has proven to be a goldmine for Banco Casino. More than 300 players from Israel are expected for the event, ensuring a unique atmosphere and full tables. Marketing Manager Jan Packa coordinates the influx, which fits seamlessly into a busy tournament autumn. The next major event is already scheduled for November 2026 with the Polish Poker Championship, which attracts players with a 500,000 Euro guarantee. The success of the first edition in January, where players like Mladen Stojanovic (37,917 Euro prize money) and Antonino Karman (35,203 Euro) earned high sums, serves as a blueprint for the current expansion.

„For the first time, the timer is now also used at Banco Bratislava during the € 200 Israeli Federation Cup # 2 (€ 300,000 GTD) this week.“ - Pokerexklusiv Editorial Team, Poker News Magazine

Why it matters for German players

For German poker players making the trip to Bratislava, the event offers an attractive alternative to the regulated online market at home. While the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) in Germany sets strict rules for online gaming, the local regulations of Slovakia apply abroad in the EU. Providers operating in Germany are subject to the supervision of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) and must enforce limits such as the deposit limit of 1,000 Euro per month via the LUGAS system. In addition, an entry limit of 1 Euro per spin often applies to online slots, which of course plays no role in live poker in Bratislava. Nevertheless, players should note that winnings from abroad can be tax-relevant in Germany if poker is classified as a commercial activity. However, a stay in Bratislava allows for play without the technical restrictions of German licensees.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license in Germany, the growth of such live events in neighboring countries is a constant reminder of competitive pressure. German casinos must strictly adhere to the whitelist and implement player protection measures that are often perceived as restrictive. An event like the Israeli Federation Cup shows that high guarantees and fast game modes like the shot clock attract large crowds. German providers, on the other hand, focus primarily on security and player protection to meet the strict requirements of the GGL. For players who value legal certainty and strict limit controls, playing with German licensees remains the first choice, even if there are no million-dollar prize pools like at international live series.