Phil Ivey Bubbles $200K Triton Invitational, Misses $6.18M Payday
Summary:
- Phil Ivey was eliminated just before the money in a blind-vs-blind clash with pocket jacks.
- The $200K Triton Invitational drew a record 133 entries, with 11 players still standing.
- Javid Ismayilov leads the final table, with $6.18M up top for the winner.
Phil Ivey’s shot at a $6.18 million score came to a crushing end at the Triton Montenegro Super High Roller Invitational, as the Poker Hall of Famer was eliminated on the money bubble.
12-Hour Day 2 Drama
The $200,000 buy-in event drew a record 133 entrants, a mix of wealthy VIPs and elite poker pros. After separating the two groups on Day 1, they merged for Day 2 action. That’s when the drama began, especially for Ivey.
With 24 players left and only 23 getting paid, Ivey found himself in a blind-vs-blind clash with Maher Nouira.
After Nouira raised from the small blind, Ivey shoved from the big holding A♥K♠. Nouira called with J♠J♦. The board ran out 7♣5♣4♥8♦8♠ — no help for Ivey, who was sent home empty-handed in brutal fashion.
This isn’t the first time Ivey has been stung on the bubble. Just last year, he busted just shy of the money in the WSOP $250K Super High Roller, losing a flip with ace-three against Martin Kabrhel’s pocket queens.
Earlier in the same event, Ivey suffered another cooler when his pocket kings were cracked by Brian Kim’s ace-four, which hit quads in a three-way all-in.
The long, 12-hour Day 2 saw a number of poker heavyweights fall short of the money, including Steve O’Dwyer, Kristen Foxen, Bryn Kenney and Daniel Dvoress.
Fan favorite Vladimir “Gambledore” Korzinin also busted before the payouts, though he left a mark. Canadian pro Sam Greenwood discussed his battles with Korzinin on a recent Life Outside Poker podcast.
They Busted with a Big Payout
The first player to cash was China’s Esti Wang. Others who busted with a payout included Triton co-founder Paul Phua (18th, $335,000), Artur Martirosian (14th, $412,000), DoorDash founder Stanley Tang (13th, $452,000), and Sergio Aido (12th, $452,000).
At the top of the leaderboard heading into Day 3 is Javid Ismayilov of Azerbaijan, who bagged 68 big blinds.
He’s trailed by local contender Aleksa Pavićević. Other notables still in the hunt include Eric Wasserson, Taylor von Kriegenbergh, Joni Jouhkimainen, and recent Triton champ Seth Davies.
All remaining players are now guaranteed at least $519,000, but it’s the $6.18 million first prize everyone’s chasing.
