Record-Breaking $12.7 Million Hand: Monarch and Bjorn Li at Triton Poker

At the Triton Poker Super High Roller series in Jeju, Ossi "Monarch" Ketola and Bjorn Li played for the largest pot in poker history — $12,700,000.

As part of the prestigious Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Jeju, an event took place that is already being called one of the most significant in poker history: Finnish high roller Ossi "Monarch" Ketola and Hong Kong’s Bjorn Li contested a $12,700,000 pot in a heads-up match. This hand became the largest ever broadcast live and sparked intense discussion throughout the poker community. Pocket Pair Duel: How the Biggest Hand Played Out Players competed in $2,000,000 buy-in matches throughout the series. In a set of four matches at these stakes, Li emerged victorious by a score of 3 to 1. In the final game, Li won when Monarch attempted a bluff with "The Robbi" (jack-high, a hand named after a famous televised bluff) against Li’s nuts. Despite the loss, the two agreed to a rematch—this time for much higher stakes: the total pot reached $16,000,000. At the start of the decisive match, Li quickly took the lead by winning a large pot with pocket queens against Ketola’s ten-high bluff. However, the momentum soon shifted dramatically—setting the stage for a historic moment. Key Hand: Street-by-Street Breakdown The blinds were $40,000/$80,000. Monarch, on the button (the dealer position, which gives the advantage of acting last), raised to $200,000 with pocket nines (9♥9♣). Li, holding the bigger stack, responded with a three-bet to $800,000 with pocket eights (8♦8♥). Ketola, whose hand was a clear favorite, moved all-in for $6,350,000. After a long tank, Li called, creating a $12,700,000 pot in the middle. The flop came 6♠7♥10♥, giving both players straight and flush draw possibilities. However, neither the turn (3♣) nor the river (2♠) improved Li’s hand, and the entire massive pot went to Monarch. Subsequent Hands and Match Outcome After this hand, Li was left with $3,300,000—almost four times less than his opponent. About an hour and a half later, he lost the remainder of his stack in a classic coinflip. In the end, Monarch won only two out of five matches, but thanks to his victory in the most expensive one, his net profit totaled $4,000,000. Poker Records: Who Holds the Biggest Win in Streaming History? A debate has erupted in the poker world: should heads-up matches like Monarch’s be considered official records? Until August 2025, the record for the largest pot ever played on a live stream belonged to Tom Dwan, who won $3,100,000 from Wesley Fei on Hustler Casino Live in May 2023. That was a traditional cash game, where players can leave the table at any time. In recent weeks, Monarch has repeatedly played pots exceeding Dwan’s previous record, including a series against Dan "Jungleman" Cates, where Cates won $15,000,000 from Monarch. Earlier this same week, Monarch won $10,990,000 from well-known pro Alex Foxen—a record that stood for just three days. Tournament Standings and Prize Distribution Matches with $2,000,000 buy-in: Li — 3 wins, Monarch — 1 win Decisive match for $12,700,000 pot: Monarch wins Overall result: Monarch won 2 out of 5 matches, but thanks to the biggest hand, earned $4,000,000 in net profit Key hand: Monarch (9♥9♣) vs Li (8♦8♥), $6,350,000 all-in preflop, $12,700,000 pot Context: Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Jeju The tournament was held at Triton Poker—one of the most prestigious series for high rollers, where buy-ins and pots reach astronomical amounts. This is where the world’s best players regularly gather and record-breaking sums are played for. Ossi "Monarch" Ketola is known not only for his results but also for his controversial reputation—he often finds himself at the center of discussion due to his provocative statements and actions at the table. The series features stars like Tom Dwan, Alex Foxen, Dan Cates, and other renowned professionals, highlighting the highest level of competition and the significance of these events for the global poker scene. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this news is not just a chance to watch the stars in action, but also a source of valuable lessons. First, analyzing hands like these clearly demonstrates the importance of reading your opponent’s range and making decisions under pressure—even at the highest stakes. Watching professionals play is an excellent way to sharpen your strategic thinking and learn how to apply modern approaches to heads-up play and deep stacks. Second, such events are a reminder that poker is not just about luck, but also about psychological resilience. Monarch managed to come back after a series of setbacks and seized his opportunity when it arose. For PPPoker club players, this is a signal not to give up after temporary failures and to keep working on your game so you’re ready for key moments. Finally, Triton Poker’s high roller matches are a prime example of where determination and growth in poker can lead. Even if you’re currently playing at lower stakes, consistently improving your skills and studying best practices will help you grow as a player and reach new heights in PPPoker clubs.