When Malaysian businessmen and passionate poker players Paul Phua and Richard Yong founded the Triton Poker Series in 2016, they envisaged an exclusive tour that would be notable among the high roller circuit. Almost a decade from those formative discussions, the Triton Poker Series is now widely recognised as the world’s biggest and best high roller poker tournament series. The Hendon Mob’s All-Time Money List leader, Bryn Kenney, won most of his live tournament earnings on the Triton Poker Series, while other stars such as Stephen Chidwick and Jason Koon have won career-defining titles in glamorous locations on the tour like Cyprus, South Korea, and Montenegro.
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A Dream Team Takes Triton to the People
While discussions around the Triton Poker Series began in 2016, the planning stage was essential for establishing a series of true prestige. Founders Paul Phua and Richard Yong were the two men behind the idea, and they brought on board the best in the business to help them escalate their idea from concept to broadcast.
With the help of CEO Andy Wong and Director Zhen Wei Chng and promising buy-ins of at least $15,000, the Triton Poker Series set itself in some of the most stunning locations worldwide. Unsurprisingly, players flocked to the events, knowing that even if they ran badly at the felt, they would have an experience like no other while they were there.
The debut event was a $60,000 event in No Limit Hold’em, which welcomed 35 entries and saw six players cash. Players from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Philippines were all present inside the top six. A min-cash of $132,663 for the longest-lasting Chinese player, Sun Ya Qi was followed by exits for Richard Leng (5th for $165,796) and Winfred Yu (4th for $232,192).
In the podium places, two Malaysians ruled the roost, as founder Paul Phua left in third place for $331,592. Heads-up, Oin Sinn lost the battle to Phua’s fellow Malaysian Wai Yong, who claimed the top prize of $793,604. Sinn won $530,651 for finishing as runner-up.
Jungleman Holds Court
In the second event, held two months later at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Paranaque City, the Philippines was the host country, as 39 entries took part in a $25,000 No Limit Hold’em event. Some of the biggest names in world poker arrived in the Far East to take their seats, with just six being paid. After the Swedish player Mikael Thuritz placed sixth for $58,258, Paul Phua became the only player to cash in the first two events, winning $72,815 in fifth place. The 10-time WSOP bracelet winner Erik Seidel busted in fourth place for $101,944, and Spanish poker crusher Sergio Aido came third for $145,631.
Heads-up, it was a battle between the French player Cyril Andre and American poker legend Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates. Known for his unorthodox style at and away from the felt, which can be watched in the Game of Gold, Cates managed to take it down for $359,229 and the Triton Poker Series trophy as Andre fell just short for a runner-up score of $233,004. Cates’ victory was his first on the Triton Poker Series tour, but by no means his last.
Many top names took to the felt in the Philippines, including the former Full Tilt Poker pro Tom Dwan. Over the past decade, Dwan, once known by his online moniker ‘durrrr’ has won over $5.6m in Triton Poker events. He eulogised about the value of playing Triton Poker Series events, and when asked about his favorite moment so far, said, “I’m planning on my favorite moment of the tournament being when I win it,” he said. “The field is good – I plan on playing most or all of the Triton tournaments in the future.”
Main Event Brings Biggest Field So Far
With 62 entries in the HK$500,000 ($65,000) buy-in Main Event, the top prize was over $2 million, one of the biggest prize pools of 2016. Speaking about the inaugural year of the Triton Poker Series events, the German super high roller end boss Fedor Holz explained his routine.
“Before final tables, I have my strict routine; I wake up, do sports, take a shower and get breakfast. I go 20 minutes early and do some meditation and then I feel prepared. I don’t know most of the players, but I just like playing poker. I’m a big fan of Daniel Colman, but there are a couple of players. Patience is a huge thing – if you lose your patience, you can lose a lot of money.”
Of the 62 total entries, nine survived to the final table and the money bubble. French player Arnauld Romain min-cashed for $207,429, David Peters won $213,708 for finishing in eighth place, and Wai Chan took home $245,145 for coming one place higher. Hong Kong players Peter Chan (6th for $301,712) and Winfred Yu (5th for $402,274) both exited, leaving four players representing different countries to battle for the title.
Kenney Falls Short
With four players left, Indonesian-American John Juanda moved all-in with queen-ten of clubs, but he ran into Sergio Aido’s pocket jacks. The Spanish player’s made hand held, as Juanda won $584,560 in fourth place.
A long battle to make the heads-up battle ensued, and only ended when Aido, who lost a coinflip with ace-king of hearts to Wai Kin Yong’s pocket sevens, lost a big pot to Bryn Kenney. The New Yorker was on a roll, and he wasn’t the only one, as Aido’s seven -four was no good against the ten-eight of Yong, who flopped two pair and watched on with glee as Aido’s open-ended straight draw fell short, missing on turn and river to send him home in third place for $848,557.
Heads-up, Yong, the son of businessman father Richard Yong, had a 2:1 chip lead after entering the event twice in its early stages. The American moved all-in with king-nine holding just over 30 big blinds. Yong looked down at king-ten and made the call. His dominating hand triumphed when neither man’s hand improved, and the first Main Event winner of the Triton Poker Series was crowned, as Wai Kin Yong took home $2.08 million to Kenney’s second-place score of $1.4 million.
Over the coming years, the wins would only get bigger and bigger as Bryn Kenney’s path was just beginning. But the formative years on the Triton Poker Series were a huge success, and Wai Kin Yong’s tremendous Main Event triumph – his second in three events – was one for the history books, as he banked over $2.8 million in the Philippines as the Triton Poker Series was just getting started.
About the Author: Paul Seaton has written about poker for over 10 years, interviewing some of the best players ever to play the game such as Daniel Negreanu, Johnny Chan and Phil Hellmuth. Over the years, Paul has reported live from tournaments such as the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and the European Poker Tour. He has also written for other poker brands where he was Head of Media, as well as BLUFF magazine, where he was Editor.
