Triton Invitational 2026: The Invitees - Not Amateurs

The word "invitee" suggests an amateur stepping into unfamiliar waters. At the Triton Poker Invitational 2026, that assumption is quickly dismantled.

Several of the 48 invitees in this $200,000 buy-in field are serious Triton players in their own right - with titles, deep runs, and millions earned on this very series. Others bring global fame and followings that extend far beyond the poker world. A few bring both.

This is not your average "amateur" field. Here's how it breaks down.

For the full pro field breakdown - every professional ranked by Triton history - see our complete pro rankings article.

The Triton Regulars Invitees

These invitees have significant Triton Poker history. Some have won it outright.

A quick note on the order: this isn't purely a stats ranking. The numbers are real titles, earnings, Triton history- but the order also reflects my own read on who deserves attention heading into Montenegro. You might rank them differently. That's part of what makes this field so interesting.

Paul Phua - Triton All-Time #9 | 2 Titles | $26M

Paul Phua isn't just an invitee. He's one of the three men who founded the Triton Poker Series. The Malaysian businessman co-created this event alongside Richard Yong and Winfred Yu back in 2016. A decade later, he's sitting down to play in the Invitational he helped build - choosing Patrik Antonius as his pro. He has two Triton titles and $26 million in series earnings. The label "invitee" barely covers it.

Santhosh Suvarna - Triton All-Time #43 | 1 Title | $11.2M

Over $11 million in Triton earnings and a title on the board. Santosh Suvarna is a regular in the super high-roller space who brings genuine competitive credentials to his invitee slot. He chose Michael Watson, a five-time Triton champion. A quietly dangerous pairing that shouldn't be overlooked.

Ramin Hajiyev - Triton All-Time #46 | 2 Titles | $10.2M

Two Triton titles and $10 million in series earnings. Ramin Hajiyev is Azerbaijani, regularly active on the Triton circuit, and has proven he can go deep in the biggest events. He chose Mikita Badziakouski - the #4 all-time Triton earner. This is one of the most powerful combined Triton CVs of any pairing in the field.

Orpen Kisacikoglu - Triton All-Time #51 | 2 Titles | $9.6M

The Turkish high-roller is a familiar face on the circuit with two Triton titles and consistent deep runs. He chose Danilo Velasevic as his pro. Orpen Kisacikoglu is already at this series, competing in other events - he knows the rhythm of Triton poker better than most invitees in the field.

Mikalai Vaskaboinikau - Triton All-Time #47 | 1 Title | $10.1M

The Belarusian businessman won the Triton Montenegro Main Event in 2024 for $4.7 million - one of the biggest results ever recorded by an invitee in Triton history. He's back in 2026, choosing Jesse Lonis, a four-time Triton champion. Mikalai Vaskaboinikau arrives with a point to prove - and the results to back it up.

The Invitees Who Bring the Story

Not everyone in this group built their name at a poker table. Some built empires. Some built audiences. Some changed industries entirely. What they have in common is that they chose to spend $200,000 sitting down in one of the toughest fields assembled all year.

Jean-Noel Thorel - Triton All-Time #50 | 0 Titles | $9.7M

Jean-Noel Thorel, the 78-year-old French skincare mogul, is one of the most watchable players in any field. He invented micellar water, founded Bioderma and NAOS, donated $250 million to charity, and then kept playing poker.

He's been runner-up in two Triton Main Events, runner-up at the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event for $6 million, and fourth in a previous Triton Invitational. He's invited Christoph Vogelsang for the second year in a row. The one thing missing from his incredible Triton record is a title. This is his best chance yet.

Ethan Yau - Rampage Poker

One of the most followed poker content creators. Ethen Yau - known everywhere as Rampage Poker - has built a YouTube audience of 357,000+ subscribers documenting his journey from $1/$3 cash games to the world's biggest tournaments.

He holds a WSOP bracelet, a WPT $25K High Roller title, and over $3.67 million in live earnings. He's already competed at this same Triton series - making the final table of an earlier NLH event this week before busting on a brutal runner-runner bad beat. He chose Alex Foxen. Smart.

Rob Yong

The founder of Dusk Till Dawn and one of poker's most outspoken personalities. Rob Yong's pro choice is the real story: he chose Kristen Foxen - Triton rank #86, one Triton title, and a $6 million track record on the series.

The headline detail: Kristen won at the Maestral Resort Montenegro in 2025 - the exact same venue as this event. She's back at the same casino, one year later, with Yong behind her. On the other side of the field, her husband Alex Foxen is playing as Ethan Yau's pro. Husband and wife competing on opposite sides of a $200K event. One of the great storylines of the 2026 Invitational.

Haralabos Voulgaris

Before sports bettors became mainstream figures, Haralabos Voulgaris was one of the most successful NBA bettors in the world. He spent years as a consultant and analytics advisor to NBA franchises and has a reputation for applying data-driven thinking to everything he touches - including poker.

He chose Mario Mosböck, a four-time Triton champion. Voulgaris won't be rattled by a big pot or a difficult spot. His entire career has been built on performing under pressure. Voulgaris has three Triton cashes and $2.38 million in series earnings. He's not walking in blind. He just doesn't make a huge headline about it.

Rui Cao - Triton All-Time #64 | 2 Titles | $8.4M

The French player is a respected name in the high-stakes poker community with two Triton titles and solid series experience. Rui Cao is choosing Wiktor Malinowski as his pro. With $8.4 million in Triton earnings.

The Other Heavyweights

These four deserve more than a footnote. Yong Wai Kin leads all invitees in the field with four Triton titles. Ding Biao and Richard Yong both built their Triton records across a decade of serious competition. Chan Wai Leong has a title and $12.5 million in series earnings. None of them is here by accident.

Two more names belong in this section, too - and they may be the most dangerous invitees in the entire field right now.

Anatoly Zlotnikov - Triton All-Time #185 | 2 Titles | $2.2M

The numbers don't tell the full story here. Zlotnikov just won at Triton Jeju 2026 - the same series, just weeks ago. Then he arrived at Triton Montenegro and knocked Ethan Yau out of an NLH final table with a bad beat.

He's one of the hottest invitees paying the $200K today. Two Triton titles, back-to-back deep runs, and the momentum of someone who simply cannot be stopped right now. Do not underestimate this man.

Aleksa Pavicevic - Triton All-Time #74 | 2 Titles | $7.5M

Two Triton titles from just three cashes. $7.5 million in series earnings. And he's playing at home - Pavicevic is from Montenegro.

He made the final table of the $200K Invitational at this exact venue in 2025. He knows every corner of the Maestral Resort. If you're looking for an invitee who could go all the way, this is your pick.

Yong Wai Kin - Triton All-Time #34 | 4 Titles | $13.4M

Four Triton titles - the most of any invitee in the entire 2026 field. Yong Wai Kin is a Malaysian businessman who has become one of the most accomplished recreational players on the circuit. He invited Michael Soyza, himself a two-time Triton champion. This pairing brings more combined Triton titles than most other pairs in the field.

Ding Biao - Triton All-Time #29 | 3 Titles | $15.7M

Three Triton titles and $15.7 million in series earnings. The Chinese businessman has been a fixture on the circuit for years and knows how to navigate deep runs at the highest level. He chose Punnat Punsri - a six-time Triton champion. This is one of the most experienced pairings in the entire field by combined titles.

Richard Yong - Triton All-Time #42 | 3 Titles | $11.3M

The second Triton co-founder in the invitee field. Richard Yong helped create this series and has competed in it throughout - three titles, 24 cashes, over $11 million in earnings. He chose Kiat Lee as his pro; he himself is ranked #14 all-time on Triton. In the 10th anniversary year of the series he helped launch, Yong is here to compete.

Chan Wai Leong - Triton All-Time #37 | 1 Title | $12.5M

A seasoned Triton competitor with over $12.5 million in series earnings and a title on the board. He chose Benjamin Heath, ranked #21 all-time with $17.3 million in Triton earnings. This is a pairing where both players know exactly what they're doing at this level. Don't overlook this one.

The Complete Invitees Reference

All confirmed invitees for the 2026 Triton Invitational. Triton rank and earnings are shown where applicable.

View Full Invitees Reference - All 48 Sorted by Triton Rank

Triton data sourced from official Triton Poker all-time rankings. Invitees without a Triton rank have no recorded series history prior to this event.

Watch Live at Triton Poker YouTube Channel

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Responsible Gambling

Poker at this level is elite competition. For everyone watching and playing at home, gambling should always stay fun and within your limits.

Set a budget before you play, never chase losses, and take regular breaks. If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, step back.

Free confidential support is available 24/7. BeGambleAware.org and the National Council on Problem Gambling (1-800-522-4700) are there whenever you need them. Most licensed poker rooms also offer deposit limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion - use them.

Must be 18+ to play (24+ in some regions).