Triton SHR Main Event: Presenting the Final Nine players

From 62 down to the final 9 players, the Triton Super High Roller Series Main Event, held at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila, wrapped up another thrilling day at the felt. There were many unfortunate casualties, including top ranked pros Erik Seidel and Fedor Holz, denying them a chance at a piece of the massive HKD48,747,650 (US$6,286,240) prize pool. The most crushing elimination was USA’s Pratyush Buddiga, falling in the bubble to wrap up Day 2. With a mix of Asian businessmen and pros left in the field, here’s a look at the Final 9 by chip count.

Wai Kin Yong – Malaysia – 5,120,000 chips

Wai Kin Yong, an amateur player who happens to be Richard Yong’s son, takes the top spot in the chip rung with 5,120,000 in chips. Yong may not be highly experienced in the live tournament circuit however he did champion the second edition of the Triton SHR series two months ago clearing over HKD 6.1 million.

Arnaud Romain – France – 4,280,000 chips

Frenchman Arnaud Romain, a regular player at the high stakes cash games in Macau, is a rare sight at a live tournament stage. This certainly was not a disadvantage as Romain ploughed through the field to bag up the second largest stack of 4,280,000.

Sergio Aido – Spain – 3,815,000 chips

One of Spain’s high ranking pros, Sergio Aido, is a newcomer to the super high roller scene and has been running exceptionally well at the Triton SHR series. Aido placed 3^rd at the opening event, the Suncity Cup HKD 200K buy-in Freezeout Six Max, and is in fine shape to earn another big score with 3,815,000 chips in his arsenal at the Main Event. Last month, he placed 2^nd at the APT Macau 2016 Main Event, and several months back, he earned his largest career payout of US$256,537 at the WSOP 2016 $111,111 No Limit Hold’em High Roller for One Drop with his 14^th place finish.

David Peters – USA – 2,970,000 chips

American pro David Peters took an early fall at Day 1 but returned to the felt and made his second bullet count. He bagged up the fourth largest stack of 2,970,000 with some of those seized from eliminating poker legend Erik Seidel. While Peters has a long list of impressive stats, his largest score of US$2,309,000 was earned at the first edition of the Triton SHR Series, finishing in the runner-up spot against Fedor Holz. With Holz out of the running, Peters will be gunning for what he was denied last January.

John Juanda – Indonesia – 2,880,000

One of the most famous poker masters, John Juanda, joins the final nine players with 2,880,000 in chips. Despite running 5^th in the all time money list, Juanda hasn’t been very active lately in the live tournament circuit, focusing more on the high stakes cash games. He did make an appearance at the EPT 2016 Barcelona Super High Roller event in August and finished 14^th out of 78 players. Taking down this event would give Juanda his first-ever super high roller title. To date, Juanda has over US$18 million in live career tournament earnings.

Bryn Kenney – USA – 2,555,00 chips

Another American pro joins the final nine players, Bryn Kenney, with 2,550,000 in chips. A regular player in the super high roller scene, Kenney kicked off his year with a big takedown at the PCA 2016 pocketing US$1,687,800 at the Super High Roller event. Kenney also won a couple of high roller events in Aria plus a deep 6^th place finish at the Super High Roller Bowl 888 Poker for an US$800,000 payout.

Peter Chan – Hong Kong – 1,070,000 chips

Hong Kong native Peter Chan finished the day as the last player to bag over seven digits with 1,070,000 in chips. Chan was one of the players very relieved to see the bubble burst that signaled the end of the day and ensuring a payout to the remaining players. However Chan will have some work to do as he is still way below average stack. Chan was seen shoving his stack twice today and successfully pulled off a double up in both occasions to keep him in the running.

Winfred Yu – Hong Kong – 820,000 chips

In addition to being one of the pioneers of the Triton SHR Series, Poker King Club President and CEO, Winfred Yu, is also one of the highest ranked tournament players from Hong Kong therefore it is no surprise to see him make it to the final table. Last month was a good month for Yu, running deep in two events. He placed 4^th at the WPT National Korea High Roller event and a 3^rd place finish at the APT Macau 2016 Main Event.

Wai Leong Chan – Malaysia – 540,000 chips

Bringing up the rear is Wai Leong Chan from Malaysia with 540,000 in chips. Chan survived the day despite taking a big hit to stack after doubling up Peter Chan. His live tournament stats may not be stacked as the rest of the players in the field but getting this deep amongst a field of pros is a feat in itself.

The final nine players will be returning to the felt at 2pm tomorrow for the race to the first place cash prize of HKD 16,135,550 (US$2,080,328). The average stack is at 2,677,777, with blinds at 40K-80K ante 10K. We will have live coverage with updates running throughout the day.

Article by Triccia David