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Difference between short deck poker and no-limit texas hold'em

Short Deck Hold’em – Understand The Difference

Short Deck Hold’em is also known as 6+ (Six Plus) Hold’em. This No-Limit Poker game is played with a stripped-down deck.

Increasing in popularity

The game is a fast, fun variation of the world-recognised Texas Hold’em format. Short Deck Hold’em originated in Asia a few years back and is gaining increased recognition in Europe.

Due to some recent star-studded High Roller events, the game is attracting growing interest in the USA and is now being played in Las Vegas.

Difference in pack size

All of the 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and 5’s are removed from the standard 52-card pack leaving a game where only 36 cards are used. This means the 6 is the lowest card…. Unless you use an Ace as low.

An Ace has added value

As in traditional Hold’em the Ace can be used as either a High or Low, but in the Short Deck version of the game it can also make up the low and high ends of a straight. As in:

• A 6 7 8 9 is classed as a straight (In this example the Ace is classed as a ‘5’)

Hand ranking differences – Let the significance sink in!

While there are only a few differences in the value of a hand between the 2 formats of Hold’em these are very significant and will prove expensive if forgotten.

In Short Deck Hold’em

• A Flush beats a Full House – This is because mathematically it is harder to make a flush than a full house from the reduced deck.

Note: This is the general rule. However, some houses may still have it the other way around – As ever; check the house rules before taking your seat.

Flush possibilities

In regular Hold’em, players with suited hole cards and two community cards of the same suit have nine cards in the deck from which to make a Flush. Playing the Short Deck game reduces this to five cards. This means a Flush is far harder to hit.

Easier to hit a set

Playing short deck Hold’em makes it easier to hit a set than when playing the regular game. Short deck players holding a pocket pair have 2 cards remaining from the 34 to give them a set as opposed to 2 cards out of 50 in the regular game.

Short Deck Hold’em strategy

Players who are used to the regular version of Hold’em should be aware of strategy considerations during a traditional game.

Playing the Short Deck game brings a number of changes. Here are just 5 you need to bear in mind:

• The rule of 4 and 2 turns into the rule of 3 and 6
• Stronger Post-Flop hands are needed
• The chance of being dealt pocket Aces are twice as high
• Hands such as top pair and top kicker have a much lower value
• Single pair hands rarely win a pot

Fast, fun & exciting

There is no doubting that Short Deck Hold’em (6+ Hold’em) is making waves in Poker communities across the globe so why not taste the action by giving it a go?

A final word of caution though: While you are sure to hit far bigger hands than in the regular game this means your opponents will too!

The Importance Of Table Positions In Poker

Poker playing positions need to be understood. To be successful in flop games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha you need to maximize the strength of your position and accept when the odds are stacked against you.

Here’s a rundown of the most common poker positions around a table dependent upon where you are seated.

Position in poker

This is in reference to where a player sits on a poker table. In the vast majority of cases your position is defined in relation to the dealer. It also defines whether you will be first or last to place your bet.

When you hear a player telling you that he has “position on you” they will be sitting on your left and will always act after you have made a play.

The reason the deal moves from player to player around the table is to give everyone an equal time in each of the positions. As will be understood below, there is no doubt that certain ones are far more advantageous than others.

The Button – Dealer (also classed as a LP)

In flop/community games such as Texas Hold’em being “on the button” is where everyone would like to stay! In terms of advantage it is the best position in poker.

After the flop the dealer always gets to act last in every round of betting for that game. Being in this situation means you have had the advantage of watching each player in the hand act before making your decision. This offers significant advantage and gives you leeway to play hands that are marginal.

Early Position – EP

In the vast majority of cases being in an early position refers to the 3 seats to the left of the dealer.

Quite the opposite of being “on the button”, EP is seen as the worst position at a poker table because these players must act first. The closer to the dealer you are the worse the EP because you do not have the knowledge of how others around the table will play their hands.

These positions are called:

• Small Blind – SB: 1st player to the left of the Button

In this position the player acts second to last during the opening round, but from then on must act first in each subsequent round. Because you are playing “blind” with stakes this is deemed as the worst poker table position.

• Big Blind – BB: Directly left of the SB

You do have position on one player, but having to pay double the SB is not what you want. While you do get to act last pre-flop, this is still a long-term losing seat. The trick when in the BB position is to lose as little as possible!

• Under the Gun – UTG: Directly left of the BB

The term refers to the pressure you are under in this position. This is because you have to act first before the flop in such games as Omaha and Hold’em.

Middle position – MP

This position indicates the 3 players to the left of the last EP. It is not the best spot nor the worst. A player gets to see how those in the EP act, but have a few players who follow. While it does allow you to play a little looser, caution is still the name of the game.

Late position – LP: The dealer and the 2 seats directly to their right

The dealer and the 2 players to their right have the best position in a poker game. It means they have insight into how the hand is progressing and puts them in a strong situation in terms of deciding to call, bet, raise or fold. This is because those in the LP have already seen how the majority of players have acted.

Equally, if no bet has been placed in a round, players in LP can claim the pot by betting. This is termed as “the betting position”.

We have already explained “the Button” (dealer), here are the other two LP:

• The Cutoff – CO: Directly to the dealer’s right

In the Cutoff seat, you can afford to be more adventurous. By raising aggressively from this spot, you can force the button to fold. Such a play means you are looking to “buy the button”.

• The Hijack – Directly to the Cutoff’s right

This seat got its name due to the fact that Button & Cutoff steals are so common. The term was coined because the position gave rise to “hijacking” the 2 later seat’s action through stealing the blinds before them.

Know where you seat and produce more profit!

Study each situation you are in during games and make a note of success or otherwise. By understanding the risks and benefits of each you will be in a far stronger position to take those much-desired pots.

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.

Picture illustrating an "Under The Dog" Straddle

To Straddle, or Not to Straddle, That Is the Question

Getting to grips with the terminology is all part of poker’s fascination. It also goes hand in hand with good tactical awareness and a sound success strategy.

While Straddling or “Playing a straddle” is often regarded as a negative in terms of profit over risk it should not be automatically dismissed. Let’s understand exactly what it is and two scenarios where it’s certainly worth a punt.

What is a straddle in Poker?

A player can initiate this play in any poker game and it is a reasonably regular occurrence for those involved in Texas hold’em.

When a player opts to straddle they are putting double the big blind (BB) amount before cards are dealt. It is usually the player to the left of the BB that makes this play. Once it is carried out, all others following players must either call or raise the bet placed.

A ‘live’ straddle acts like the BB

Good poker etiquette requires dealers to announce when a live straddle is ‘in play’. When “live” it acts like the BB. If none of the players raise, it is then down to the player straddling to decide whether to raise. This can only be done when it is their turn to play.

In the event, the dealer does not make the announcement this is termed as a dark raise. If this is the case the player straddling has no option in the event all other players simply call.

3 common types of straddle:

If you intend to make straddling a part of your success strategy it is vital that you check the house rules. This is because not all poker rooms allow it, some do but specify which position the play can be made from, and the majority of online rooms do not allow it. Un-capped straddles for $1/$2 and $2/$5 are quite rare.

3 common types of the play you will come across:

Under The Gun (UTG) Straddle: This is the classic play. It is where the UTG player lays double the BB BEFORE cards are dealt. They then act as the last preflop.
Mississippi Straddle: This is easier to play than spell! It allows any player from any position the opportunity to straddle first. When the option is taken up they can straddle any amount preflop. By making this play they then have the advantage of acting last before the flop (assuming another player does not re-straddle, but this is less common). It is more often than not that the button makes this play. As with the UTG play, this option must be taken up BEFORE cards are dealt.
Un-capped Straddle: As the term suggests, this removes the “double the BB limit” on the size of stake placed.

Should you make this play in Texas hold‘em?

While not all poker tacticians will agree, the general advice has to be No. This is because the only real advantage of straddling is the fact that during the first round of betting you have the advantage of acting last.

However, you have made a blind and if another player raises you will need a lucky hand in order to call. Taking everything into account this strategy usually costs you money.

Two exceptions:

Lower stake games not to your liking: If you are involved in a hold’em game with lower stakes than you like, straddling can solve your issue because you can make the play from the start. It is seen as a good tactic if you feel your strategy will take other players out of their comfort zone. i.e. the majority will fold. In this situation, the play can work in your favor.
One to strongly consider: When you are in the button position in a game allowing a Mississippi Straddle you have a huge advantage. This high ground is gained because you have the last position of that particular round. Such a play often encourages the BB to fold if they have poor cards.

Don’t dismiss straddling!

As a poker player, you should use straddling with caution and common sense. Do not dismiss it from your armory, but do use it wisely.

Watch Paul Phua straddling like a boss!

During the last Triton Poker Super High Roller Series 2018 in Jeju, South Korea, Tom Dwan and Paul Phua went head to head for a huge cash game pot.

After a long period of hesitation, Tom shoved ALL-IN with AQ against Paul Phua, who straddled. Unfortunately for him, Paul was holding the Pocket Aces!

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).

Mikita Badziakouski Triton Poker Jeju 2018 Main Event Champion

Mikita Badziakouski Wins Back-to-Back Triton Poker Series Main Events

“We can do it now if you’d like?”

It’s Mikita Badziakouski.

I had been harassing him for an interview ever since the first day of the Triton Poker Series in Montenegro.

“It’s not my thing.”

But last night was a good night. Badziakouski ended Day 2 of the Triton Poker Series Main Event in Jeju with the chip lead and was on course to win back-to-back Triton Main Events after he had taken down the one on the Adriatic Coast to earn $2.5m.

Five people stood in the way.

Here they were:

1. Mikita Badziakouski – 3,065,000
2. Sergio Aido – 3,000,000
3. Jason Koon – 2,500,000
4. Richard Yong – 2,415,000
5. Sam Greenwood – 1,715,000
6. Chan Wai Leong – 1,055,000

And here he was, willing to do an interview.

“A short one, no more than a few minutes.”

I asked him what he would be doing if it wasn’t for poker. He’s a thoughtful man, so he took his time.

“I played chess when I was young.”

More thought.

“I was a bad sports bettor.”

More thought.

“Life without poker?”

Final Table Highlights

Level 16: 15k/30k/30k – Tough Time For Aido

Sam Greenwood began the brightest, as you do when you pick up AK twice in succession, in position, facing a pre-flop raise. In the first situation, Greenwood collected chips from Mikita Badaziakouski’s KQ, and then he squared up against Sergio Aido.

Aido opened with QJhh for 70,000 under the gun, Greenwood made it 220,000 in position, and the Spaniard made the call.

Flop: Qs6d2d

Aido checked, Greenwood bet 100,000, and Aido called.

Turn: Th

Aido checked again. The Th gave Greenwood straight potential, and he bet 400,000; Aido called.

River: Js

Aido made top two pairs, but Greenwood was dancing on Broadway. It was the worst possible card for Aido. He checked, Greenwood bet 1,190,000 and Aido went deep into the tank. Four-time bank chips lost before Aido made an incredible laydown. Greenwood moved up to 2.7m, Aido fell to 2.3m.

Sometime later, when Aido picked up pocket queens, and the chip leader Mikita Badziakouski picked up pocket kings, you saw the Spaniard climbing into a coffin.

He opened to 90,000 from under the gun, and then called a 370,000 three-bet from the chip leader. And then, an angel fell on the flop for Aido.

Flop: AcJs6s

The presence of the ace slowed everything down to a Neo dodging bullets style pace. Badziakouski bet 200,000, and Aido called. That ended the action as the Jc and 4s arrived on fourth and fifth street, and the pot went to Badziakouski.

“You beat him by one,” Koon said to Badziakouski, correctly predicting that Aido held pocket queens.

Level 17: 20k/40k/40k – Chan Doubles

By the time Level 17 arrived, Badziakouski was the table captain.

And then this happened.

Chan Wai Leong picked up pocket tens, Badziakouski looked down at pocket aces, and they got it in. Chan was on the verge of elimination when a ten on the flop saved his tournament life, and he doubled through the chip leader.

Chan – 2,100,000
Badziakouski – 2,700,000

Level 18: 25k/50k/50k – Badziakouski From Chip Leader to Short Stack; Aido Busts

Richard Yong opened to 110,000 holding KdQd, Badziakouski called with AdQh, Aido did likewise with AJhh, and the action stopped at the hands of the short-stacked Chan who was holding pocket kings. Chan raised to 450,000, and only Badziakouski called.

Flop: TsTd5d

Chan bet 475,000; Badziakouski called.

Turn: 6d

Badziakouski picked up a flush draw. Chan moved all-in for 1,205,000, and Badziakouski went into the tank before emerging with the call.

River: 4s

The river bricked for Badziakouski, and the pair exchanged spots with Chan moving into the chip lead with 4,580,000, and Badziakouski falling to into the basement with 1,100,000.

And then we lost Sergio Aido.

The Spaniard had played well all day, despite having a terrible run of luck, and it continued until Jason Koon put him into the ground.

Aido limped with AQo in the cutoff, Greenwood called in the small blind, Koon squeezed to 300,000 holding AKo, Aido moved all-in for 1,375,000, Greenwood stepped aside, and Koon called. A king on the flop left Aido drawing slim, and he was dead after the 3s turned up at the turn.

Aido collected HKD 6,490,000 (USD 826,858) for his efforts.

Greenwood raised to 125,000, Koon three-bet to 385,000 in the cutoff, and Badziakouski four-bet to 645,000; only Koon called.

So we went to a flop with Badziakouski only having 100,000 behind. The dealer put AsKhJd on the flop, and all the money went in. Koon had flopped two pairs with AJo, but Badziakouski had flopped a set of kings and doubled up two community cards later.

Level 19: 30k/60k/60k – Badziakouski Put to the Test and Passes; Koon Out

Then we had the most exciting hand of the final table.

Badziakouski limped with AQhh in the small blind, and Chan checked his option with Q7o. The flop rained down As8s2c to strengthen Badziakouski’s hand, and he bet 60,000, and Chan surprisingly called. The turn was the 4d, and Badziakouski bet 175,000. Chan decided it was time to turn his hand into a bluff, and check-raised to 525,000. Badziakouski made the call.

The river card was the 8d, confirming Badziakouski’s lock on the hand, and he bet 200,000, but Chan put him all-in. Badziakouski looked like a team of ants were eating him alive from the ankles up. He burned time bank chip after time bank chip, the incessant beep of the action clock likely burning a hole in his eardrum. Then with literally 1-2 seconds left, and no time banks to save him, Badziakouski made the call and just like that, retook the chip lead.

“Anyone selling time bank cards?” Joked Badziakouski.

And then there were four.

Badziakouski opened to 120,000 from under the gun with A7cc, Koon three-bet to 410,000 from the small blind holding A6dd, and Badziakouski called.

Flop: 5s4c3c

The flop gave both players a reason to play. Koon led for 230,000, Badziakouski moved all-in and had Koon covered, and he made a pretty quick call.

The Qd and 5h changed nothing, and it took a while for Koon to register defeat. I think it was more frustration than thinking the board read differently but you could feel his heartache through the computer screen.

Koon earned HKD 8,470,000 (USD 1,080,000) for his fifth place finish.

Badziakouski moved up to 6.4m.

And then the lead grew even more substantial.

Greenwood opened to 150,000 on the button with AQo, and Badziakouski called in the big blind with pocket fives.

Flop: AcTc5s

A set for Badziakouski, and the top pair for Greenwood, but both players checked.

Turn: Qs

A terrible card for Greenwood, as he turned two pairs. Badziakouski overbet the pot for 50,000, and Greenwood called.

River: 2h

Badziakouski bet the size of the pot, and Greenwood called. The hand-propelled Badziakouski to 8.4m and Greenwood slid to the bottom of the counts holding only 870,000.

“It’s a really good fifteen minutes,” said Badziakouski.

You’re not kidding.

Level 20: 40k/80k/80k – A Champion is Crowned

Start of Level Chip Counts

1. Mikita Badziakouski – 8,325,000
2. Chan Wai Leong – 2,435,000
3. Richard Yong – 2,210,000
4. Sam Greenwood – 780,000

Badziakouski opened with A8o from under the gun and then called a 525,000 shove from Greenwood who was holding K9o. The American had two live cards, but none of them hit the flop, turn or river, and the ace-high played. Greenwood was out in fourth place for HKD 11,550,000 (USD 1,471,528), his third seven-figure score of 2018.

Then we lost Richard Yong.

The Triton Poker Series founder opened to 165,000 in the small blind, Badziakouski three-bet to 500,000, Yong moved all-in for 1,945,000, and Badziakouski called.

Badziakouski: AKo
Yong: AQo

Board: Ah7c3c8hTh

The dominating hand won, and Badziakouski took an imperious lead into heads-up against Chan Wai Leong.

Heads Up

1. Mikita Badziakouski – 11,900,000
2, Chan Wai Leong – 1,700,000

It ended with a cooler.

Badziakouski opened to 175,000, Chan moved all-in with pocket sixes, and Badziakouski made the call.

A coin flip.

Flop: AdTh7d

Badziakouski hit his ace.

Turn: 5s

Only two cards in the deck could help Chan.

River: 2s

Badziakouski had won.

Again.

He took off his scarf, the only show of emotion, although I am sure, a jellyfish was tickling his ribs. He thanked Chan and waited for the Tournament Director to butcher his name during the winner announcements.

Yes, Justin Bonomo is a man on a mission.

So is Badziakouski.

With the first prize of HKD 41,250,000 (USD 5,255,456) in the bank, he has now won more than USD 10,500,000 in 2018 alone, and only Bonomo can match that haul.

“Life without poker?”

Why think about it.

Final Table Results

1. Mikita Badziakouski – HKD 41,250,000 (USD 5,255,456)
2. Chan Wai Leong – HKD 25,520,000 (USD 3,251,376)
3. Richard Yong – HKD 16,720,000 (USD 2,130,212)
4. Sam Greenwood – HKD 11,550,000 (USD 1,471,528)
5. Jason Koon – HKD 8,470,000 (USD 1,079,120)
6. Sergio Aido – HKD 6,490,000 (USD 826,858)