Triton One: A New Era for Poker?

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Triton One - Triton Poker Series
Triton One – Triton Poker Series

Since its launch, Triton Poker has become the best high-stakes poker tournament series in the world, and is set to expand its reach with the introduction of Triton One—a brand-new live tour aimed at “all aspiring poker superstars.” Andy Wong, CEO of the Triton Poker Series, states that this new venture aims to expand on the legacy of the prestigious Triton Poker Super High Roller Series.

He describes it as something that is “both familiar and refreshingly new,” targeting a wider audience, according to a PokerNews article. While we don’t know any specific details about the Triton One, speculation suggests that Triton One will connect everyday grinders with the high-roller elite, potentially providing a pathway to Triton’s flagship events.

Triton Poker’s History

Triton Poker was established in 2015 by a Malaysian entrepreneur and poker players, Paul Phua and Richard Yong. The series officially launched in 2016 with its very first event in Manila, Philippines. Over the years, Triton has hosted high-stakes tournaments and high-stakes cash games in glamorous destinations such as Montenegro, Macau, South Korea, London, and Monaco.

Ben Tollerene, Jason Koon, Seth Davies, Stephen Chidwick, Ike Haxton, Dan Dwores
Ben Tollerene, Jason Koon, Seth Davies, Stephen Chidwick, Ike Haxton, Dan Dwores

Key to Triton’s appeal is its blend of luxury, exclusivity, and high-stakes poker action. The series is renowned for its staggering buy-ins, which usually start at $15,000 and can reach £1 million for special events, such as the Triton Million for Charity in London—the most expensive poker tournament ever held at the time. This event, in particular, made history in 2019 with a £1 million buy-in and a star-studded field, ultimately awarding Bryn Kenney the top prize of approximately $20,563,324 and  Aaron Zang $16,775,820.

Record-Breaking Events and Diversity Milestones

  • Triton Million for Charity (2019): This landmark event featured a £1 million buy-in and drew a field of poker’s greatest players and elite businessmen. Aaron Zang emerged victorious, but Bryn Kenney secured the largest single payout in live poker history—over $20 million—after a heads-up deal.
  • Coin Rivet Invitational: Marked a breakthrough for diversity, with Ebony Kenney becoming the first woman to reach a main event final table at Triton and winning $1.7 million for her 5th place finish. Since then, players like Sosia Jiang, Kristen Foxen, Saya Ono, Janissa Kan, and Monika Zukowicz have made their mark, reflecting the evolving landscape of high-stakes poker.
  • Jeju 2025: Set a new tour record with 379 entries in Event 1 ($15,000 NLH), including 266 unique players. Event 3 ($25K 8-Handed) surpassed this with 391 entries, the largest field in Triton’s history.
  • $100K NLH Main Event: Achieved a record 285 entries, making it the largest six-figure buy-in event ever, surpassing the previous year’s record

Champions, Prizes, and Watches: A Legacy of Glory and Glamour

Triton Poker is synonymous with glamorous destinations, luxury, elite poker, and jaw-dropping prizes.
Main Event winners regularly take home multi-million-dollar payouts. For example, Matthias Eibinger won $3.4 million at the Triton Poker Monte Carlo 2023 Main Event, while Timothy Adams claimed $4.2 million at the 2023 London Main Event.

Talal Shakerchi’s victory at the Triton Vietnam 2023 100K NLH Main Event earned him $3.25 million. This year, Jesse Loni won the $100K Main Event for $3,446,298 in Montenegro.

While the payouts are monumental, what truly sets Triton apart is its fusion of poker with luxury lifestyle, and no symbol captures that better than the exclusive Jacob & Co. watches awarded to selected tournament champions.

Exclusive Jacob & Co X Triton Watch
Exclusive Jacob & Co X Triton Watch

These bespoke timepieces are crafted in collaboration with Jacob Arabo, the renowned jeweler known for designing watches for celebrities such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Floyd Mayweather, and Jay-Z.

Each Triton edition is a limited collector’s item—designed to reflect the elite stature of Triton champions.

When Aaron Zang lifted his Short Deck trophy in Vietnam 2023, he also walked away with a custom Jacob & Co. X Triton watch along with his $1.544 million collection.

Aaron Zang - Triton Poker Vietnam
Aaron Zang – Triton Poker Vietnam

Similarly, Jason Koon, the winningest player in Triton history with ten titles, has been awarded multiple Jacob & Co. masterpieces to his $23 million Triton event cashes. Most of the Jacob & Co. watches are valued at over $250,000 and take 10 months or more to craft.

Notable Winners and Multi-Title Champions

Triton Poker has seen a host of legendary players claim multiple titles. Jason Koon stands out as the only ten-time Triton champion, with victories across No-Limit Hold’em, Short Deck, and Pot-Limit Omaha.

Other multi-title winners include Mikita Badziakouski, Phil Ivey, Danny Tang, Wai Kin Yong, Bryn Kenney, and Fedor Holz. Only two players—Wai Kin Yong and Mikita Badziakouski—have won two Main Event titles each.

Triton Impact: Philanthropy Beyond the Felt

Triton Poker’s philanthropic journey started with “Triton for Charity,” a series of high-stakes charity poker events designed to harness the excitement and prestige of the Triton brand to raise funds for global causes.

As this series evolved, so did its charitable mission, leading to the launch of “Triton Impact.” The initiative demonstrates Triton’s commitment to harnessing the power of poker to create positive change, both within the poker community and beyond the tables.

This truly demonstrates that the poker community can come together for the greater good, not only raising substantial funds but also inspiring poker players and fans to think beyond personal gain. The initiative stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the unique ability of poker to bring people together for meaningful causes.

The Future: Triton One

With the launch of Triton One,  more players can have the opportunity to compete on its prestigious stage and potentially earn a spot at the high-roller tables. As the Triton Super High Roller Series prepares to return to Jeju, South Korea, in September, the poker world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in Triton’s storied history.

Triton Poker Series Stage
Triton High Roller Poker Series Stage 

Triton Poker has redefined high-stakes poker over the years with its blend of luxury, elite competition, and record-breaking prizes.

For poker enthusiasts worldwide, Triton One can represent a long-awaited opportunity to test their skills on one of the most prestigious stages in the game.

While we don’t know the exact tournament structure or buy-in structure, the promise of a more accessible entry point could attract many poker players from around the world.

Triton One may also offer unique pathways to the high-roller tables. Qualifiers, satellite events, or special promotions could enable players to earn their way into Triton Super High Roller Series tournaments, transforming dreams of competing alongside legends like Bryn Kenney or Jason Koon into attainable realities.

What Triton One Could Mean for Poker Players

  • Triton One could lower the financial barrier, allowing a lot more players from different backgrounds and bankrolls to compete in a world-class environment.
  • Possible satellites and a structured route to the high-roller tournaments, Triton One may serve as a proving ground, giving players the chance to showcase their skills and earn invitations to the most prestigious events in poker.
  • The introduction of a new tour format is likely to bring fresh excitement to the live poker scene, featuring innovative structures, side events, and possibly even online qualifiers.
  • Triton One could expand to new regions and markets, and it could introduce the Triton experience to poker players who previously only watched from afar.
  • For passionate poker players and fans, Triton One can symbolize hope and ambition—proof that with skill, determination, and a bit of luck, anyone can aspire to compete at the highest levels of the game.

With Triton One, possibly more players than ever can aspire to compete on poker’s biggest stage, ensuring that the future of live poker remains as thrilling and exciting as its rich history.

While we wait for more information, you can play online poker at WPT Global, the official partner of Triton Poker.