News Archives - Page 16 of 21

ACTION UNDER WAY AT TRITON JEJU

The 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series is now officially under way after tournament officials set the ball rolling on the first of six events playing out at the Landing Casino, Jeju, South Korea, this week. We are in the salubrious Jeju Shinhwa World resort — an extraordinary complex of hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions.

A field comprising the best players in the world has already assembled for Event #1, a HK$250,000 ($32,000 approx) Short-Deck Ante-Only tournament. It will play out over the coming two days and will offer the first hefty prize-pool of what will inevitably be a exceptional week.

This first event sets the tone for an eight-day schedule, culminating in the HK$2 million (US $250,000 approx.) main event, which runs Thursday through Saturday. While three of six events, including the main event, are traditional no-limit hold’em tournaments, the other three are Short Deck, which is played with all the cards from five down removed. That leaves 36 cards instead of the more normal 52 and means a shifting in hand rankings and a fairly significant strategy rethink for players.

READ A SHORT-DECK HOLD’EM EXPLAINER

That, however, is part of the Triton Series’ unique appeal: in exchange for the highest regular buy-ins in world poker, and a line-up of players on a break from the boardrooms of the major business capitals of the region, you have to play the game that the businessmen want. Short Deck means more big hands and a higher volatility, which suits the thirst for action among many of the recreational players.

Naturally, the established professionals are still going to fancy their chances in this environment, and when you look at the line up of superstars here in Jeju, they have every right to back themselves. This is without question one of the densest concentrations of poker talent ever assembled, with almost all of poker’s elite either already on the ground or confirmed incoming.

Among the players in their seats for the first deal of the day were Justin Bonomo, Isaac Haxton, Sam and Luc Greenwood, Stephen Chidwick, Jason Koon, Seth Davies, Ben Lamb, Mike Watson, David Benefield and Daniel Dvoress. All of Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Daniel Cates, Bryn Kenney, Mikita Badziakouski, Dominik Nitsche, Steve O’Dwyer, David Peters, Erik Seidel and Dan Smith are confirmed as en route.

“Every name is a big name,” said Luca Vivaldi, Triton tournament director.

But it’s not only north Americans and Europeans who will have legitimate claims on some of the huge prizes on offer this week. Triton founder Richard Yong is considered one of the game’s elite players, and he’ll play every hour he can this week.

CAPTION: Richard Yong, centre, arrives to the tournament area as Jason Koon, second right, chats with Ivan Leow

Similarly over the past few years, all of Ivan Leow, Wai Kin Yong and Kenneth Kee have won on the Triton Series, while Michael Soyza has put together a strong string of results too. All of the above are here, and they have brought friends. In the hour prior to the beginning of the tournament, a contingent of at least 15 Asia-based players assembled in the poker room, and they are now ready to cross swords with the players who made their names elsewhere.

This is a two-day event, with today’s schedule calling for 12 40-minute levels. (There’s a 15-minute break at the end of every three levels.) All the action is being live streamed, with expert commentary coming from Lex Veldhuis and Randy “nanonoko” Lew.

WATCH THE LIVE STREAM FROM JEJU

The full plan for the week is as follows:

#1: Sat 2 Mar – HK$250K — Short-Deck, Ante-Only (Two-day event)**

#2: Sun 3 Mar – HK$250K+250K — Short-Deck, Ante-Only Bounty (Two-day event) **

#3: Mon 4 Mar: HK$500K — No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (Two-day event)**

#5: Tue 5 Mar: HK$1m — Short-Deck, Ante-Only (Two-day event)*

#6: Thu 7 Mar: HK$2m — No-Limit Hold’em Main Event (Three-day event)*

#7: Fri 8 Mar: HK$1m — No-Limit Hold’em Refresh (Two-day event)**

* Indicates a 2 pm local start time

** Indicates a 4 pm local start time

Day 2/3 resumptions begin at 2pm

DOWNLOAD THE TRITON JEJU EVENT BROCHURE

Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Returns to Jeju, South Korea

Jan 28 2019 (Jeju, South Korea) – Triton Poker’s Super High Roller Series (SHR) returns March 2 – 9, 2019 with the first of five international stops that will cement the tour’s position as the leading high stakes poker tournament series in the world.

For eight days, throughout six tournaments, the world’s leading professionals and amateurs alike will flock to Korea’s Jeju Island to lock horns and share lots of laughs in six high stakes tournaments, including the world’s first Short-Deck, Ante-Only Bounty event.

As in 2018, the Landing Casino in Jeju’s Shinhwa World will be the home of the most fearsome and fun high stakes poker cash games and tournaments anywhere on the globe, culminating in an HKD 2,000,000 (KRW 140,000,000) buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Triton SHR Series Main Event.

The Full Schedule

Sat 2 Mar: HKD 250k (KRW 35m) Short-Deck, Ante-Only (Day 1)**
Sun 3 Mar: HKD 250k (KRW 35m) Short-Deck, Ante-Only (Day 2)*
Sun 3 Mar: HKD 250k (KRW 35m) + 250k (KRW 35m) Short-Deck, Ante-Only Bounty (Day 1)**
Mon 4 Mar: HKD 250k (KRW 35m) +250k (KRW 35m) Short-Deck, Ante-Only Bounty (Day 2)*
Mon 4 Mar: HKD 500k (KRW 70m) No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (Day 1)**
Tue 5 Mar: HKD 500k (KRW 70m) No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (Day 2)*
Tue 5 Mar: HKD 1m (KRW 140m) Short-Deck, Ante-Only (Day 1)*
Wed 6 Mar: HKD 1m (KRW 140m) Short-Deck, Ante-Only (Day 2)*
Thu 7 Mar: HKD 2m (KRW 280m) No-Limit Hold’em Main Event (Day 1)*
Fri 8 Mar: HKD 2m (KRW 280m) No-Limit Hold’em Main Event (Day 2)*
Fri 8 Mar: HKD 1m (KRW 140m) No-Limit Hold’em Refresh (Day 1)**
Sat 9 Mar: HKD 2m (KRW 280m) No-Limit Hold’em Main Event (Day 3)*
Sat 9 Mar: HKD 1m (KRW 140m) No-Limit Hold’em Refresh (Day 2)**
* Indicates a 2 pm local start time.
** Indicates a 4 pm local start time.

Players confirmed include the 10-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, Phil Ivey, the inimitable Tom Dwan, Triton Poker SHR Ambassador Jason Koon, and one of the stars of 2018, and the defending champion of the 2018 No-Limit Hold’em SHR Series Main Event in Jeju, Mikita Badziakouski.

Players who compete in both the HKD 2,000,000 Triton Poker SHR Main Event, and one other side event, will enjoy free accommodation for nine nights at the Jeju Shinhwa World Marriot Resort. The Landing Resort Hotel and Somerset Jeju Shinhwa World are also walking distance from the casino.

The Triton Poker SHR Series also offers unrivalled broadcast coverage across a myriad of platforms with the dynamic duo of Twitch sensation Lex Veldhuis and online pro Randy ‘nanonoko’ Lew reuniting for the English stream. Macau Millions Champion Chen An Lin, EPT Barcelona 2018 Main Event Runner Up Haoxiang Wang and Two-Time Red Dragon Champion Celina Lin will cover the Chinese stream respectively.

Coverage in English:

Triton: www.triton-series.com
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/tritonpoker
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/tritonpoker
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tritonpoker

Coverage in Mandarin:

Pandatv: www.panda.tv/2112155

About Triton Poker

Triton Poker was founded in 2015 by the Malaysian businessman, philanthropist and poker lover, Richard Yong, who felt there was a gap in the market for an exclusive tournament series for affluent businesspeople and high-end professional poker players set in some of the most luxurious locations in the world all in the name of charity. Funds from Triton Poker events have helped charitable organisations such as Project Pink and the Red Cross.

Previous winners of Triton Poker events include Manig Loeser, Fedor Holz, Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates, Koray Aldemir, Stefan Schillhabel, John Juanda, Dan Colman, Jason Koon, Phil Ivey, and Mikita Badziakouski.

About Jeju Shinhwa World

Jeju Shinhwa World is a fully integrated world-class resort spanning 2.5 million square meters, chocked full of top-class dining experiences, and entertainment facilities including Shinhwa Theme Park, Shinhwa Water Park and, of course, the elegant Landing Casino.

For further information on the Triton Poker head to www.triton-series.com or contact info@triton-series.com

Triton Poker Welcomes Jason Koon as Brand Ambassador

Triton Poker is proud to announce Jason Koon as brand ambassador for the Triton Super High Roller Series. Koon is one of the most respected and talented players in the game who spends his time competing in the highest stakes tournaments and cash games, globally.

In 2018, Koon won $12,478,538 in live tournaments including making four final tables at the Triton Super High Roller Series events in Montenegro and Jeju, including winning $3,579,836 after topping a 103-entrant field in the HKD 1,000,000 No-Limit Hold’em Short-Deck Ante-Only event in Montenegro, in only his second appearance in a Short-Deck tournament.

Jason Koon, winner of the HKD 1m Short Deck event in Montenegro last year.

On his appointment, Koon said:

“Joining the Triton team was a no-brainer for me. I’ve always been a huge fan of their tournaments. The experience that players feel during a Triton event is second to none. I couldn’t be more excited. The Triton stops are pure poker. You play some of the biggest buy-ins in the world both in cash games and tournaments, and I love high stakes, high-pressure poker.”

Koon’s role will be to promote the Triton Poker brand and the Triton Super High Roller Series, globally, including raising awareness of poker in Asia throughout the high stakes community. Koon will compete in every single Triton stop of 2019, beginning in Jeju, South Korea: March 2 – 9.

“Jeju is a beautiful stop,” said Koon. “The Landing Resort and Casino is enormous with tons to offer everyone. It was one of my favourite stops in 2018.”

The 2019 Jeju schedule contains six events, one more than in 2018, culminating in an HKD 2,000,000 (USD 255,000) buy-in Triton Super High Roller Series Main Event. Jason Koon placed 5th in that 2018 event earning $1,079,443.

For further information please contact info@triton-series.com

Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Jeju 2019 confirmed for March

The first Triton Poker Super High Roller Series 2019 festival will be in Jeju, South Korea from the 2^nd to the 9^th of March next year.

A 2019 tour teaser has been released on Triton Poker’s social media channels, citing several details.

The teaser hinted at four additional stops in the months of May, July, September and November.

A reveal of the ‘Biggest Buy-In in Poker History’ in the near future was also included.

The Triton Poker Series was founded back in 2015 and has held 9 previous events, with Jeju 2019 to be a milestone 10^th for the series.

In the past year, Triton Poker broke the biggest televised poker pot record in Montenegro back during May, when a cash game pot between Jason Koon and Elton Tsang reached € 2.09million.

Mikita Badziakouski has won back-to-back Triton Poker Main Events, the defending champion securing the title in Jeju as well as the previous one in Montenegro for a total of $US 7,756,211.

triton poker super high roller series cash game

Triton Poker Jeju 2018 Short Deck Cash Game Released

The Triton Poker Triton Hold’em (Short Deck) Cash game from the festival in Jeju, South Korea last July was released on Twitch and YouTube this past weekend.

After 7 episodes of the NLHE Cash Game, new episodes from the Short Deck Cash Game will premiere every Sunday and Wednesday 11PM [EST].

Fans can be the first to see the action on the official Twitch premiere, or watch it on demand at your convenience via the Triton Poker YouTube channel.

Tom Dwan, who was involved in a monster pot against Paul Phua in the NLHE Cash Game, is at the table once again.

Others involved are Montenegro Short Deck champ Jason Koon, Triton Super High Roller Jeju Main Event winner Mikita Badziakouski, and High-Stakes pro Andrew Robl.

Triton Poker Super High Roller Jeju 2018 $US 1m Buy-In Cash Game Premieres this Weekend

After months of demand, it has finally arrived…

The Triton Poker Super High Roller Jeju Cash Game will premiere this weekend Sunday September 9, 2018 at 11.00PM [EST] on the official Twitch channel.

After the premiere broadcast, the episode will then be available as video on demand on Triton Poker’s official YouTube page.

Catch the likes of Tom Dwan, Patrik Antonius, and Jason Koon battling it out in one of the biggest cash games in poker history, with the game’s Buy-In at an incredible US$ 1,000,000.

Mikita Badziakouski, who took down the Triton Super High Roller Jeju 2018 Main Event pocketing US$ 5.2m, was also involved.

In the previous cash game at the Triton Super High Roller Montenegro 2018 tournament, a pot between Jason Koon and Elton Tsang became the biggest in televised poker history at a massive € 2,090,000 [US$ 2.3m].

New episodes of the Jeju Cash game will premiere every Sunday and Wednesday nights at 11.00PM [EST] on Twitch, with the same 1-hour delay on YouTube.

Ivan Leow Wins The Triton Poker Super High Roller in Russia For $1.3m

A woman barges past me in the queue. I put a firm hand on her shoulder and tell her to get the fuck. Never underestimate the power of non-verbal communication, something I have learned sitting at the poker table.

Down below there is a sculpture of a Titan throwing a javelin, and in between the rushing taxi cabs I see his great big iron balls and tackle, and wonder why it is that we see this as art and the same thing in a magazine is pornography?

I am wondering about a lot of things this morning.

Why is the aesthetic beauty so crucial to Koreans?

How do you grow rice?

Who is the best Malaysian poker player?

I don’t know how Ivan Leow makes his money, but he’s either very good at what he does or comes from a well to do family. The 36-year-old Malaysian who plays poker for fun has taken down the R 6,000,000 (USD 94,000) buy-in Triton Poker Super High Roller at partypoker MILLIONS Russia, iron tackle and all.

It completes an incredible couple of weeks for Leow, who made three final tables at the Triton Poker Series in Jeju, including winning the HKD 500,000 (USD 64,000) Short-Deck, Ante-Only event for HKD 8,470,000 (USD 1,079,367).

It hasn’t been all cute kittens for Leow. There have been a few dead pussies in the mix. He bubbled the HKD 2,000,000 (USD 255,000) buy-in Triton Poker Jeju No-Limit Hold’em Main Event (he was in for USD 1,000,000), and he also bubbled the first event in Russia a few days back.

Things were different on this day.

A million out.

A million in.

Another day in the life of a high stakes poker player.

Let’s see how Leow took it down.

How Leow Took it Down

Day 1 ended with nine players remaining from fourteen, with Manig Loeser in charge.

1. Manig Loeser – 782,000
2. Timothy Adams – 558,000
3. Phil Ivey – 517,500
4. Chin Wei Lim – 378,000
5. Abraham Passat – 337,000
6. Niall Farrell – 316,000
7. Johannes Becker – 276,000
8. Seng Ying Tang – 186,000
9. Leong Chan Wai – 158,000

Ivan Leow was one of the early birds seeking a few worms during late registration on Day 2, and he doubled through Phil Ivey 77>AQo early doors to give him a solid footing during the first ascent up the mountain he would eventually conquer.

With Leow climbing, Ivey kept slipping, this time doubling-up Koray Aldemir. Ivey held pocket jacks in a three-bet pot against the pocket queens of the German and called Aldemir’s shove on the 8h7h3d3s board.

Then our soon to be crowned champion suffered a blow when his pocket kings ended up on the floor for the count of ten when all-in against the AQo of Konstantin Uspenskii. The deck spat the second ace on the flop to give the Russian the double-up.

At times the field resembled the German High Stakes Poker Championships, and one of them had an early visit to the cash desk. Johannes Becker and Wai Leong Chan got it in pre-flop. Both of them held pocket nines. However, with a split pot looming, Chan hit runner-runner-runner-runner-runner spades to eliminate the German in a bad beat story at the bar kind of way.

Becker’s second bullet was a dud.

KK versus the AK of Dietrich Fast and Becker was a goner for the second time, before loading his third bullet into the chamber.

We lost Timofey Kuznetsov when the Russian moved all-in with 13 big blinds and pocket fours, only for Abraham Passet to wake up with pocket jacks. The call came and five community cards later, the Russian hit the rail. Then a 15bb shove followed the 13bb shove as Philipp Gruissem moved in holding A7cc, only to be flogged by the superior A9o of Leow.

We were down to the final two tables.

Here were the Top 5 chip counts.

1. Dietrich Fast – 1,282,000
2. Wai Leong Chan – 803,000
3. Manig Loeser – 745,000
4. Abraham Passet – 536,000
5. Wai Kin Yong – 468,000

Leow sat in ninth with 349,000.

Timothy Adams eliminated Aldemir when the pair battled it out for stacks in the blinds. Aldemir held 86dd; Adams A6ss, and ace-high held at the end of the flop, turn and river nonsense.

Becker would have to finish fourth to break even, but that seemed unlikely after losing a flip against Ivey 9999.

And then we lost Richard Yong.

Firstly, Passet’s ATdd took a chunk out of Yong’s stack beating pocket treys to the punch, and Loeser made it a German left and right hook when his ace trash beat pocket fours, all-in pre-flop.

Ivey doubled again, this time through Farrell KJo>33.

And then Loeser took the lead he last held at the end of Day 1.

The former Triton Poker Montenegro Main Event winner opened to 45,000 with AQdd in the first position, Fast called in the cutoff holding pocket sevens, Passet squeezed to 160,000 with KQss from the small blind, and both players called.

Flop: As6h5s

Passet c-bet 160,000, Loeser called; Fast folded.

Turn: Td

Passet moved all-in with his flush draw and gutshot, and two timebank chips later, Loeser made the call and doubled up when the 8h bricked for Passet.

Farrell eliminated Chin Wei Lin 99>66.

Ivey doubled through Leow A8dd>AQcc hitting runner-runner diamonds.

Wei Leong Chan took a chunk from Fast doubling 55>AA thanks to a five on the turn.

Then Leow made his move.

The man who plays more hands than most woke up with pocket aces at the same time Ivey made his final stand with A5o and Adams did likewise with AQo. Ivey did flop a doubler-gutter, but the outs stayed in the deck, and both Ivey and Adams hit the rail. We had a final table. Leow was the new chip leader

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Ivan Leow – 1,934,000
2. Dietrich Fast – 1,516,000
3. Manig Loeser – 1,474,000
4. Niall Farrell – 643,000
5. Abraham Passet – 639,000
6. Wai Leong Chan – 584,000
7. Paul Phua – 285,000
8. Wai Kin Yong – 173,000

First to go was the short-stacked Yong. His nine big blinds went into play holding Q9o, and Leow snaffled them up with A4o. The second smallest stack followed. Phua moved all-in in a single raised pot holding KQss on Kh7c2h, only for Loeser to call with AQhh. The flush arrived on the turn. Phua’s mission ended in seventh.

Then Farrell suffered a fatal beat.

The Triple Crown winner got it in holding pocket aces against the nines of Passet, and a nine on the flop cut his heart out with a spoon. That hand left Farrell with 64k, and the rest of the table feasted on it like vampires in the very next hand.

Five players remained.

Four would be paid.

Not Fast.

The German star, who remained in the top three spots for most of the day, opened to 65,000 from the cutoff and found a caller in the shape of Leow in the small blind. Fast held two black nines. Leow had KQcc under his fingertips.

Flop: 8c3c2h

Leow checked, Fast bet 125,000, Leow called.

Turn: Qd.

Leow bet 275,000, Fast moved all-in, and Leow made the call.

River: 7s.

Fast was out.

Then we lost the Day 1 chip leader.

Leow opened to 90,000 holding A2hh. Chan called with KQhh, Loeser took a flop with JTss, and Passet took a peek with J9o. The flop was AsJh3s giving everyone a little something. Leow was first to put a chip in the pot – 125,000 of them to be precise – Chan called, Loeser check-raised to 400,000, Passet folded, Leow called, and Chan folded. The turn was the 9h, Loeser moved all-in for 1m, and Leow made the call. The 9d bricked on the river, and the top pair was kind enough to oust Loeser.

Then Leow eliminated the Triton Poker Jeju Main Event runner-up, Chan.

Leow opened to 90,000 on the button, and Chan called in the small blind. The flop was QsJh9c, Chan checked, Leow bet 125,000, Chan check-raised to 350,000; Leow called. The Ad came out of the deck on the fourth street. The money went in with Leow holding ATo for top pair and straight draw. Chan was ahead with QJo for two pairs. However, the Td on the river gave Leow a stronger two pairs, and Chan was out.

Heads-Up

1. Ivan Leow – 4,350,000
2. Abraham Passet – 2,900,000

Passet took the lead after flopping a straight on KT9, holding QJo, and Leow called holding the middle pair. Then Leow retook the lead after a series of aggressive plays, and he never lost it from that point onward.

In the final hand, the pair limped in to see a Jh4h4d flop. Passet checked to Leow who bet 150,000, and Passet moved all-in for 1,395,000; Leow called.

Leow: J5o
Passet: 62hh

Leow had flopped the two pairs, and Passet was all Tin Man seeking a heart.

The 2d gave Passet some possible boat outs, but the Qc wasn’t one of them, and Leow became our champion.

The event attracted 29 entrants (20 unique, 9 re-entries).

Here are the results:

ITM Results

1. Ivan Leow – R 72,000,000 (USD 1,134,000)
2. Abraham Passet – R 47,040,000 (USD 740,880)
3. Wai Leong Chan – R 30,000,000 (USD 472,500)
4. Manig Loeser – R 8,000,000 (USD 283,500)

Leow has now earned $3,610,190 in lifetime earnings. His win in Russia was the third of his career, and his second seven-figure score (all this year).

Manig Loeser Leads Day 1 of Triton Poker Super High Roller in Russia

It’s July, 2017.

Manig Loeser is one of 52 entrants in the HKD 100,000 (USD 12,700) buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Triton Poker Series Main Event in Montenegro. Two days later, and he is the last man seated, banking USD 2,162,644 in prize money, and the high stakes scene welcomed its newest incumbent.

Since that hazy night, Loeser has recorded a further ten six-figure scores, including, most recently, a runner-up spot in the €25,750 buy-in Super High Roller as part of Poker EM at the Casinos Austria in Velden, earning $304,143 after losing to Leon Tsoukernik, heads-up.

And he’s at it again.

Day 1 of the R 6,000,000 (USD 94,000) buy-in Triton Poker Super High Roller at the partypoker MILLIONS Russia live series in Sochi is in the books, and it’s Loeser who tops the field with nine players left from a starting field of 14 entrants.

The day began slowly, as they do in these big buy-in events, with five levels passing into the ether before a dealer threw a card in frustration.

Then.

Bingo.

Johannes Becker doubled through Wai Kin Yong when the pair got it in pre-flop with Becker holding two red aces against AKss, and the two-time Triton Poker Champ busted not long after, losing a flip AQ44 and then lost the lot to Loeser 77

End of Day Chip Counts

Play resumes at 1 pm (local time) Thursday 9 August where they play down to a winner. Late registration remains open until 3:30 pm.

Aymon Hata Wins The R 3,000,000 (USD 47,000) Triton High Roller in Russia

The first-ever Triton High Roller held in conjunction with the partypoker MILLIONS live tour has come to an end, and Aymon Hata survived a field of 47 entrants to capture the R 48,000,000 (USD 756,000) first prize, after beating Vladimir Troyanovskiy in heads-up action.

24 players survived a 37-entrant Day 1 field.

Patrik Antonius led the way with that chiselled chin of his.

Hata ended the first day sixth in chips.

Late registration remained open for a full two hours of Day 2, and a further ten entrants added USD 470,000 to the prize pool.

Let’s see how that whittled down to only one.

Level 9: 500/1000/1000 – Yaroshevskyy Busts Pateychuk; Antonius Takes Care of Machon.

Igor Yaroshevskyy had a great Day 1, and Day 2 began much the same way. The Ukranian star opened to 2,300, Andrey Pateychuk three-bet to 6,500; Yaroshevskyy called.

The Flop was 7h3h3s, and Yaroshevskyy check-called a 5,000 bet, before doing likewise on the 5c turn for another 16,00. The river card was the 4h, Yaroshevsky moved all-in, and Pateychuk made the call. Yaroshevskyy showed A2hh for the nut flush, and Pateychuk had to re-enter early.

Patrik Antonius also began brightly. The Day 1 chip leader eliminated Bartlomiej Machon after they both flopped two pairs on AhJs8c. The Finn’s AJo dominated the A8o of the Pole, and Machon had to re-enter.

Level 10: 600/1200/1200 – Ivey Eliminates Yurasov; Leow Coolers Passet; No Birthday Cake For Filatov

Phil Ivey’s pocket jacks took care of a short-stacked Dmitry Yurasov’s KQcc to send the Russian packing. Ivan Leow did the same to Abraham Passet AT>AK, all-in pre-flop with Leow flopping a ten to come from behind. And Shyngis Satubayev bust the birthday boy, Anatoly Filatov.

Level 11: 800/1600/1600 – Bord, Ivey & Chow Lose Bullets; Fast In And Out

Ivan Leow eliminated the former World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Main Event winner, James Bord. Hing Yaung Chow sent Phil Ivey to the cash desk when his pocket tens spiked a third ten on the turn to beat pocket jacks. And then Chow fell victim to a cooler that saw him also dig deep into his jean pockets, after getting it in with pocket eights on 765r, only for Machon to be holding 98o, for the straight.

Patrick Antonius sent Fast into his wallet when the Germa’s pocket queens failed to beat AQo after an ace landed on the flop. Fast re-entered and quickly bust Pateychuk.

Level 12: 1000/2000/2000 – Hata Busts Lim; Fast Out; Hata Eliminates Satubayev.

Aymon Hata eliminated Chin Wei Lim after the pair got it in on an 8s5s4d flop with Lim holding 86cc for top pair and a gutshot, and Hata holding pocket fives for a sticky middle set.

Fast’s topsy-turvy competition ended when he lost a flip against Wai Kin Yong KJ<99 after Yong flopped a set. His compatriot Manig Loeser joined him in the ‘down in the dumps club’ after Ivan Leow eliminated him. And Hata continued to rock things at the top of the chip counts sending Satubayev to the rail QQ>AK.

Level 13: 1200/2400/2400 – Khoroshenin, Yong, Sinclair And Aldemir Bust.

Ivan Leow ousted Oleksii Khoroshenin QQ>22, all-in pre-flop. Paul Phua sent Richard Yong back to his suite AQs>AKo after rivering a flush, and then we lost the former November Niner, Jack Sinclair, after the Brit got it in with tens against the jacks of Vladimir Troyanovskiy, to condense this thing to two tables. Then a battle of the Germans saw Philipp Gruissem come from behind to eliminate Koray Aldemir KJo>ATo after binking a jack on the river.

Level 14: 1500/3000/3000 – Phua Busts Gofman; Antonius Eliminates Beh.

Aleksandr Gofman fell short of the money after his shove holding A4hh fell into the bearhug of Paul Phua’s AQcc. And then we lost Kok Weng Beh after he called a turn shove from Antonius, seeking the nut flush draw, with Antonius already holding the goods.

Level 15: 2000/4000/4000 – Leow Takes Two; Becker Busts; Yong Out.

Ivan Leow sent a short-stacked Wai Leong Chan to the rail when his ATo bested K2o all-in pre-flop, and then became a real force in the competition eliminating Igor Yaroshevskyy when his pocket sixes turned a set to beat the Ukranian’s rockets. And we also lost Johannes Becker after Wai Kin Yong and Patrik Antonius’ AQ chopped KJ into two bite-sized chunks.

Yong didn’t last much longer though. The two-time Triton Champ got it in with A3o against the pocket queens of Konstantin Uspenskii, and pocket nines of Hata. Uspenskii’s hand held up to double through Hata, and the tournament waved bye-bye to Yong.

Unofficial Final Table

1. Ivan Leow – 663,500
2. Konstantin Uspenskii – 525,000
3. Paul Phua -240,000
4. Vladimir Troyanovskiy – 228,000
5. Patrik Antonius – 220,500
6. Bartlomiej Machon – 148,500
7. Timothy Adams – 139,000
8. Philipp Gruissem – 121,500
9. Aymon Hata – 119,500

Level 16: 2500/500/500 – Gruissem Busts Machon.

Three people would leave with the inside of a flat tyre, and the first was Bartlomiej Machon after the Pole got it in with AQ versus the AK of Philipp Gruissem.

Level 17: 3000/6000/6000 – Paul Phua Double, Double, Double.

Timothy Adams doubled through Paul Phua AK>AT. Phua then doubled through Hata AA>KQs, and Gruissem AJ>74cc.

Level 18: 4000/8000/8000 – Phua Busts Adams; Hata Climbing.

Phua opened to 16,000 with AQo, and Adams defended the big blind with ATcc. The flop was AJ8r, and Adams check-called a 20,000 Phua bet. The turn was the 9h, and Adams moved all-in. Phua called, and a community card later the Canadian was out.

Then Hata doubled through Leow AJo>KK after flopping an ace.

Level 19: 5000/10000/10000 – Leow Bubbles.

Phua opened to 125,000, and Leow shoved his last 143,000 into the middle from the button Antonius did likewise for 172,000, and Phua made the call.

Antonius: QcQh
Phua: JdJh
Leow: AsTh

The ace never got out of bed, and Antonius tripled up to 497,000, Phua moved down to 306,000, and Leow was out on the bubble.

Level 20: 6000/12000/12000 – Antonius Busts Gruissem.

A short-stacked Gruissem moved all-in holding A9o, and Antonius nailed him to the cross with AJo.

Level 21: 8000/16000/16000 – Antonius Busts Phua; Hata Busts Antonius and Uspenskii.

Phua moved all-in holding pocket nines, and once again Antonius was waiting with a great big hammer – this time pocket kings – and Phua was out in the fifth spot. Then Antonius followed him out of the casino entrance.

Troyanovskiy opened to 37,000 from under the gun holding AKo, Antonius defended the small blind with 76hh, and Hata came along for the big blind ride holding A4hh.

Flop: Th3h3s

The action checked to Troyanovskiy who bet 50,000, Antonius moved all-in for 408,000chasing his flush, Hata moved all-in for slightly more with the same idea in mind, and Troyanovskiy got out of the way.

Turn: 9h

Hata hit the nut flush, and only the 8h would have saved the Finn, but it didn’t come out to play.

And then Hata took a big lead into a heads-up battle with Troyanovskiy after eliminating Uspenskii. The Russian moved all-in holding K8ss, and Hata called and won with pocket queens.

Heads-Up Chip Counts

Aymon Hata – 1,581,000
Vladimir Troyanovskiy – 775,000

Troyanovskiy played well during heads-up, but never closed the gap. The final hand saw the Russian get it in with J7o, and Hata called and won with K4cc.

The victory was Hata’s first of his career and his second most significant score after finishing third in the $100,000 High Roller at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) for $1,247,230.

Here are the ITM results:

1. Aymon Hata – R 48,000,000 (USD 756,000)
2. Vladimir Troyanovskiy – R 31,860,000 (USD 501,795)
3. Konstantin Uspenskii – R 22,500,000 (USD 354,375)
4. Patrik Antonius – R 15,000,000 (USD 236,250)
5. Paul Phua – R 10,500,000 (USD 165,375)
6. Philipp Gruissem – R 17,500,000 (USD 118,125)

Patrick Antonius Leads Day 1 of the Triton Poker High Roller in Sochi

A hop, skip and a jump ago, the biggest poker game in the world was taking place in the Landing Casino, Jeju, South Korea. Today, it’s in Sochi, Russia.

The venue may have changed.

The cast is very much the same.

In May, partypoker and Triton pallyed-up for the first time when the online giant made a decent wedge to sponsor the Russian live stream. As the bright red sunsets over the ocean in front of me, the tables have turned.

Sochi is the venue.

partypoker MILLIONS Russia is serving all of the chips.

Triton is on the menu.

The first of two Triton High Rollers took place on Tuesday 7 August, and it looks like Richard Yong, Paul Phua and co., hired a jumbo jet to fly the Jeju crew into the Sochi Resort and Casino.

Day 1 of the R 3,000,000 (USD 47,000) buy-in Triton Poker High Roller is in the books. The event bewitched 37 entrants throughout eight levels of 45-minutes.

50,000 stacks.

Unlimited re-entries

A 30-second beep-beep.

Let’s get to it.

Level 2: 100/200/200 – Fast With The Early Lead; Rybin Cracks Loeser’s Kings

Dietrich Fast and Paul Phua were the first two titans to lock horns.

Alexey Rybin opened to 500 with K8cc, Fast called with two black aces, and Phua squeezed to 2,500 in position. Ivan Leow four-bet to 7,000 holding 97cc, Rybin folded, Fast raised to 16,500, Phua made it 50,000 to play holding AK, Leow left the party, Fast moved all-in, and Phua made the call. The board ran out favourably for Fast to become the early chip leader.

Rybin had better luck a few hands later when he called a 3,600 Manig Loeser open holding 54o. Loeser held pocket kings and was ahead when the 7d6c4s hit the flop. The pair got the money in, and it went the way of the World Poker Tour (WPT) Champions Club member when the 3d on the turn gave the Russian a straight for the double up.

Level 3: 150/300/300 – Yaroshevskyy Busts Leow

Igor Yaroshevskyy opened tp 700 from under the gun holding pocket aces, Leow three-bet to 2,200 with JhTd, Yaroshevskyy upped the ante to 8,000; Leow called.

Flop: 9h6h2h

Both Yaroshevskyy’s aces were black. Leow held one heart. The Ukrainian c-bet to 6,000 and Leow called.

Turn: Tc

Yaroshevskyy bet 15,000; Leow called.

River: Qs

Yaroshevskyy moved all-in, and Leow made the hero call, to dust off his first stack.

Level 4: 200/400/400 – Gruissem Eliminates Chow; Becker Busts Rybin

partypoker ambassador, Philipp Gruissem eliminated Hing Yaung Chow when the latter moved all-in on the fourth street with the board looking all fine and QsTs2d5c dandy. Gruissem held two black aces, and Chow had 64ss for the flush draw and gutshot but bricked everything on the river to exit the tournament.

Then we lost Rybin.

The Russian opened to 1,100 in the hijack seat holding pocket kings, and Johannes Becker called in the big blind with Q4ss.

Flop: 8c6s2s

Becker flopped a flush draw and check-called a 1,500 Rybin c-bet.

Turn: 9s

Bink.

Becker checked, Rybin bet 3,400, Becker check-raised to 10,000, Rybin moved all-in for 28,850, and Becker called. The Ac meant nothing on the river. Rybin was out.

Level 6: 300/600/600 – Becker Banishes Farrell

The Triple Crown winner, Niall Farrell hit the rail in Level 6, after bluffing his stack with AdJx on 8d5s3s3d6d. Becker called all three streets holding pocket queens.

Level 7: 400/800/800 – Fast Handing Out Reprieves

Dietrich Fast doubled up Alexander Gofman and Vladimir Troyanovskiy.

Level 8: 500/1000/1000: Troyanovski, Wai Kin Yong, Phua Filatov Leave; Farrell Busts Again.

Troyanovskiy didn’t turn those Fast chips into anything of note after getting them in holding A7dd versus the AKcc of Abraham Passet. A battle like that rarely ends well for the double-diamonds, and this time the action remained scripted.

Then we lost Wai Kin Yong.

The two-time Triton Champion defended the big blind with J3ss versus a Gruissem raise holding AJo and got the last of his beans into the middle on a jack high all heart flop. The result was, positively, Gruissem.

Niall Farrell, who had re-entered since his Level 6 exit, hit the rail again, this time running AQo into the pocket queens of Koray Aldemir. Manig Loeser bought in for a third time (although PokerNews have no news on either of his exits). And Devan Tang lost a flip AK<88 of Kok Weng Beh forcing him to scratch around in the fibres of his jean pockets.

Then we lost Anatoly Filatov.

The partypoker ambassador got it in holding A2cc and found two callers in the shape of Oleksii Khoroshenin holding AQo, and Yaroshevskyy holding AJss. The board ran out in favour of Khoroshenin, sending Filatov to the rail.

And Paul Phua.

Timothy Adams opened with AJcc in early position, Phua three-bet to 6,200 holding AKo in position, and Adams called. The flop was JhTc4s, and Adams check-raised jammed. Phua called and was in great shape until a second jack hit the turn to double up the Canadian.

Patrik Antonius Leads The Day 1 Field

24 players placed chips in plastic bags at the end of the day, and Patrik Antonius returns with the lead on Day 2. Late registration remains open for a full two hours of Day 2, so expect the field to brim with even more players.

Here are the Top 10 chip counts.

1. Patrik Antonius – 151,700
2. Johannes Becker – 137,500
3. Igor Yaroshevskyy – 128,300
4. Timothy Adams – 125,700
5. Koray Aldemir – 120,000
6. Aymon Hata – 118,100
7. Shyngis Satubayev – 101,200
8. Ivan Leow – 100,200
9. Abraham Passet – 91,200
10. Kok Weng Beh – 80,100

The action recommences Wednesday 8 August at 1 pm (local time).