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Triton Poker Main Event Winners List

Triton Poker Series is one of the most expensive and elite poker series globally. With some super high roller tournaments, the series witnesses regular attendance from some of the richest and most popular poker pros. Today we know Triton as one of the most significant series in the poker fraternity worldwide, but did you know Triton Poker is actually an Asian brand?

History of Triton Poker

The Triton Series was co-founded by Malaysian businessman and poker player Richard Yong, along with Paul Phua. The first-ever Triton Poker Series event was known as the Cali Cup and was introduced in January 2016. It was a part of the World Poker Tour (WPT) National Philippines, and it broke all previous records of the WPT. It was the highest buy-in event in the history of WPT, with a buy-in of $200,000, and still managed to record 52 entries. German pro Fedor Holz won this title. And there began Triton Poker’s history. The Malta-based Super High Roller series began to be hosted more often due to the overwhelming response. 

Since 2016, there have multiple series held in different locations every year across the globe. Let’s have a look at each of the Triton Poker Main Event winners so far.

Triton Poker Main Event Winners

Wai Kin Yong – 2016 Triton Super High Roller Series, Philippines

Wai Kin Yong

Interestingly, the first-ever Triton Poker Main Event was shipped by founder Yong’s son Wai Kin Yong. The inaugural edition was held in the Philippines, and the Main Event featured a buy-in of HK$500,000 (~$63,705). Yong was among the 62 entries who emerged victorious and cashed $2,080,556. Yong’s winning hand was K ♦ T ♦ .

Koray Aldemir – 2017 Triton Super High Roller Series, Philippines

Koray Aldemir

Koray Aldemir won the next Triton Poker series in the Philippines with A ❤ 2 ❤ after surpassing a field of 39 players and beating Sergio Aido in the heads-up. The second edition saw the buy-in of the Main Event double to HK$1,000,000 (~$127,413). Aldemir took away $1,292,509 for his top finish.

Manig Loeser – 2017 Triton Super High Roller Series, Montenegro

Manig Loeser

The second series of 2017 was held in July in Budva, Montenegro. With the same buy-in of HK$1,000,000 (~$127,413), this event managed to record 52 entries. Manig Loeser took down the title and pocketed $2,162,644 with his J ♣ 2 ♣ winning hand. Fun fact: He beat founder Yong in the heads-up to taste victory. 

John Juanda – 2017 Triton Super High Roller Series, Macau

John Juanda

The third and final Triton Poker Series of 2017 was held in October in Macau. This event saw a record-breaking entry field of 82 entries for the HK$1,000,000 (~$127,413) buy-in. Poker legend John Juanda beat Fedor Holz in the heads-up with his A ❤ 5 ♠ to walk away with the highest-ever prize of $2,870,092.

Mikita Badziakouski – 2018 Triton Super High Roller Series, Montenegro

Mikita Badziakouski

The year 2018 witnessed two series in May and August each. The May edition Main Event had a HK$1,000,000 (~$127,413) buy-in and saw 63 entries enter the battlefield. Mikita Badziakouski with his A ♣ 2 ❤ beat Rui Cao to laugh away with $2,499,185. 

Mikita Badziakouski – 2018 Triton Super High Roller Series, Jeju Island

Mikita Badziakouski

Yes, you read that right. The year 2018 had two Triton Poker Series, and both of them were shipped by Badziakouski. But this time around, the buy-in of the Main Event was doubled to HK$2,000,000 (~$259,143). The event had 55 entries, and Badziakouski finally beat Chan Wai Leong in the heads-up with A ❤ Q ♣. This event also recorded the highest top prize of $5,257,027. 

Timothy Adams – 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series, Jeju Island

Timothy Adams

In March of 2019, Triton Poker Series returned to Jeju Island. With a buy-in of HK$2,000,000 (~$259,143), 48 entries made it to the Main Event of this series. Timothy Adams emerged victorious with Q ❤ 8 ❤ as he took home a pay cheque of $3,608,865. 

Bryn Kenney – 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series NLH Main Event, Montenegro

Bryn Kenney

In May 2019, Bryn Kenney took down the No-Limit Hold’em (NLH) Main Event in Budva, Montenegro. He surpassed 75 entries at this HK$1,000,000 (~$127,413) Main Event and pocketed $2,769,000 for his efforts. Apart from the Main Event, Kenny also shipped Event #2: HKD 500,000 No-Limit Hold’em Six Max for HKD 11,230,000 ($1,432,264) at the same series days before the Main Event. 

Rui Cao – 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series Short Deck Main Event, Montenegro

Rui Cao

The same May 2019 series had another Main Event known as the Short Deck Main Event. This event, too, had a buy-in of HK$1,000,000 (~$127,413). However, this event became a record-breaker for generating 98 entries. Rui Cao finally nailed the title after narrowly missing it in 2018. Cao, with his Fishhooks, fetched the top catch of $3,419,000. 

Wai Kin Yong – 2019 Triton London NLH Main Event, UK

Wai Kin Yong

Junior Yong once again added a Triton Poker Main Event title to his name after shipping the 2019 Triton London NLH Main Event in the United Kingdom. The £100,000 ($120,349) buy-in event gathered 130 entries in the English capital and awarded $2,591,695 to Yong. His winning hand here was K ♠ J ♣. 

Justin Bonomo – 2019 Triton London Short Deck Main Event, UK

Justin Bonomo

The series in England also featured two Main Events. The Short Deck Main Event of this series was taken down by the current number one player on Hendon Mob’s All-Time Money list Justin Bonomo. With £100,000 ($120,349) buy-in and 108 entries, this event awarded Bonomo with $3,257,400 for winning the event with Kc Jd.

Stephen Chidwick – 2022 Triton Madrid Short Deck Main Event, Madrid

Stephen Chidwick

Following a two-year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Triton Poker returned in 2022 in Madrid. Stephen Chidwick won his first-ever Triton Poker title by taking down the Short Deck Main Event. He surpassed 60 entries at this €100,000 ($106,505) buy-in event to finally beat Tony G in the heads-up. His winning hand of A ♠ Q ♦ fetched him €1,800,000 ($1,917,090). 

Henrik Hecklen – 2022 Triton Madrid NLHE Main Event, Madrid

Henrik Hecklen

The second Main Event of the Madrid edition was the NLHE Main Event. Danish player Henrik Hecklen struck a heads-up deal with UK-based businessman turned poker player Orpen Kisacikoglu to take the top spot, his second Triton Poker title and a pay cheque of €2,170,509 ($2,311,700). This €100,000 ($106,505) buy-in event saw 93 entries battling it out. Soon after striking the deal and deciding to play for the title, Hecklen’s pocket kings overpowered Kisacikoglu’s pocket fours in the very first hand of the heads-up. 

Punnat Punsri – 2022 Triton Poker Cyprus Main Event, Cyprus

Punnat Punsri

Thailand’s Punnat Punsri made history by becoming the first Thai player to take down the Triton Poker Series title. Punsri pocketed $2,600,000 at this $100,000 buy-in event which saw 99 entries. The Thai player beat Hong Kong’s Wayne Heung in the heads-up with A ♣ 8 ❤ at the Main Event of Triton Poker Series Cyprus. 

Talal Shakerchi – 2023 Triton Poker Vietnam Main Event

Talal Shakerchi

London-based British investment manager and poker player Talal Shakerchi took down the Triton Vietnam 2023 100K NLH Main Event and pocketed $3,250,000. The 59-year old beat Malysia’s Michael Soyza with A ♦ 7 ♦ against Soyza’s Q ♠ J ❤ . The event had a total of 135 entries who battled it for the top spot at the Hoiana Resort and Golf located in Vietnam. 

Aaron Zang – 2023 Triton Poker Vietnam Short Deck Main Event

Aaron Zang

China’s Aaron Zang clinched the second Triton Poker title of his career after shipping the Triton Poker Vietnam 2023 Short Deck Main Event. He grabbed an exclusive Jacob & Co timepiece along with $1,544,000 as the top prize. In the heads-up, Zang with his A ♠ J ♠ overpowered Micheal Zhang’s A ❤ K ♠ to take down the title. The event had a total of 49 entries generating a $4,900,000 prize pool.

The players who have won Triton Poker Series titles so far, especially the Main Event titles, are regarded as the best poker players in the world. With only a selected few players grinding in the Triton Poker Series, the victory becomes all the more special. However, only two players so far have managed to win two Triton Poker Main Event titles each, namely, Wai Kin Yong and Mikita Badziakouski.

Matthias Eibinger – 2023 Triton Poker Monte Carlo 2023 Main Event

Matthias Eibinger

Matthias Eibinger emerged victorious in the Triton Poker Monte Carlo 2023 Main Event, showcasing exceptional skill and strategic brilliance on the prestigious Triton stage. The high-stakes event, held at Sporting Monte Carlo, saw Eibinger claim the top prize of $3.4 Million, the largest cash of his poker career. Competing against a field of 135 entries, including 47 re-entries, Eibinger’s triumph solidified his status as a formidable force in the world of professional poker.

Eibinger’s path to victory was marked by a series of impressive performances, culminating in a heads-up battle against poker standout Adrian Mateos. With this win, Eibinger’s total lifetime earnings approached the $18 Million mark. His triumph in the Triton Monte Carlo Main Event not only solidified his place among the elite players in the poker world but also marked a significant milestone in his poker journey. 

Timothy Adams – 2023 Triton Poker London Main Event

Timothy Adams

Timothy Adams emerged victorious in the 2023 Triton Poker London Main Event, securing a monumental first-place prize of $4.2 Million. This remarkable triumph marked Adams’ second career Triton title and his 11th cash on the tour, propelling his total career earnings to over $36.7 Million in Triton events.

The final table of the 2023 Triton London Main Event was a battle of titans, with Adams facing off against entrepreneur Jean-Noel Thorel in a high-stakes heads-up showdown. Despite a tense moment where Adams found himself holding pocket eights against Thorel’s pocket nines, the river card brought an unexpected eight, sealing Adams’ victory and solidifying his status as a top contender in the world of professional poker.

Adams’ emotional win was met with cheers and celebrations as he clinched the trophy and the largest cash prize of his career. The intense final table, which featured poker heavy-weights like Stephen Chidwick, Isaac Haxton, and Daniel Cates, showcased skills at the 2023 Triton London Main Event.

Coming to Adams, he not only secured a significant career milestone but also climbed to 15th on poker’s All-Time Money List, surpassing esteemed players like Jake Schindler and Steve O’Dwyer. 

Tan Xuan – 2024 Triton Poker Jeju Main Event

Tan Xuan

Tan Xuan emerged victorious in the 2024 Triton Poker Jeju Main Event, securing his second Triton title and a massive payday of $922,000. The Chinese poker pro, known for his exceptional talent and consistent performances on the Triton circuit, faced off against a field of 67 entries in the $50,000 buy-in event, showcasing top-notch skills.

Tan’s path to victory was marked by a series of impressive eliminations, including a heads-up showdown against Martin Nielsen from the Faroe Islands. The intense battle between the two skilled players saw Tan navigate through challenging situations and maintain his focus, ultimately securing the coveted title and the largest cash prize of his career.

With this win, Tan Xuan solidified his status as one of the most successful players in Triton Poker Series history. His previous Triton title came in 2019 when he won the £100K Short Deck event in London, further cementing his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of high-stakes poker.

Tan’s triumph in the Jeju Main Event not only earned him a substantial payday but also propelled him up the Triton Poker Series leaderboard. His consistent performances and multiple titles have earned him a place among the elite players in the series, with many considering him a favourite to win any event he enters.

Mikalai Vaskaboinikau – 2024 Triton Poker Montenegro Main Event

Mikalai Vaskaboinikau is a recreational player from Belarus who marked his attendance in the Triton Super High Roller Series. So far, the businessman cum poker player has competed in six events, reaching an impressive three final tables. Vaskaboinikau surpassed his previous achievements. After an early surge at the $125,000 buy-in Triton Montenegro 2024 Main Event final table, he emerged victorious from a tense short-stacked, short-handed battle, defeating Dejan Kaladjurdjevic heads-up to win $4.737 Million from a final prize pool of $21,375,000. The event had 171 entries in the field which had names like Phil Ivey, Paul Phua, Chris Brewer, Santhosh Suvarna, Dan Smith, Mikita Badziakouski, and Bryn Kenney.

This victory marks his first title from four final table appearances. Notably, he has only ever played in six events in this series. “It’s a really amazing feeling,” Vaskaboinikau said about his win. “I had a good feeling about this a few months ago. I put this thought in my mind in a dream.” He indicated the significant value of his business ventures by describing the prize as “not life-changing money,” but added, “I’m really happy about this.”

We will keep you updated with all the new champions who win the prestigious Triton Poker Series Main Event crown. So to know who makes it to the history books of Triton Poker Series, watch this space. 

For more Triton Poker updates, keep reading Gutshot Magazine. Follow us on our social handles Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram.

Photo credits: PokerNews

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