Phil Ivey was the first to bust with aces at the $200,000 Triton Invitational in Jeju

Phil Ivey was the first player eliminated from the prestigious $200,000 Triton Invitational tournament in Jeju after an unlucky hand with aces. The tournament set a record for the number of participants.

Phil Ivey becomes the first player eliminated from the $200,000 Triton Invitational in Jeju after busting with pocket aces Record-setting start for the Triton Invitational in South Korea The highly anticipated $200,000 Triton Invitational kicked off at Les A Casino in Jeju, South Korea, and immediately set a new record for number of participants. For the first time, this prestigious Triton Series event is being held in Asia as part of the series’ 10th anniversary celebrations. Organizers confirmed that 60 pairs —invited guests and professionals—took part in the Invitational, far surpassing the previous record of 48 pairs set in May at the Triton Invitational in Montenegro. Triton CEO Andy Wong called these numbers a “phenomenal achievement” for the series, emphasizing that the Invitational is especially popular among regular Triton participants. According to him, invited guests appreciate the chance to compete on equal footing with professionals, while for the pros, the tournament is appealing because they get to face new opponents for whom poker is primarily about the game and fair competition. Tournament format and structure The Triton Invitational features a unique format: on Day 1, invited guests and professionals play in separate fields, then merge into a single field on Day 2. This approach ensures maximum fairness and a diverse mix of opponents for all participants. The buy-in was set at $200,000 , automatically creating one of the largest prize pools in the series’ history. From the outset, the prize pool exceeded $24,000,000 , and it continues to grow as the tournament progresses thanks to re-entries. Phil Ivey’s strong start to the series and dramatic exit Five-time Triton champion and one of the most decorated players in the world, Phil Ivey entered the Invitational in top form. At the concurrent Super High Roller Series Jeju II, he had already reached two final tables and claimed the largest bounty of $400,000 in the $40K NLH Mystery Bounty event. However, in the main event—the $200,000 Triton Invitational—Ivey’s run was cut short right at the beginning. In the very first hand of the tournament, Phil Ivey found himself in the middle of one of the biggest pots of the opening level—with 445 big blinds in play. His opponent was Lithuanian pro Gytis Lazauninkas . This hand would prove decisive for Ivey’s tournament. Key hand: pocket aces cracked The hand began with Gytis Lazauninkas, holding a starting stack of 295,000 , raising to 2,500 . Phil Ivey, on the button with 212,000 , three-bet to 10,000 . Lazauninkas called. On the flop 4♣ 9♦ 2♥ , the Lithuanian checked, and Ivey bet 15,000 . Lazauninkas called again. On the turn 3♦ , Lazauninkas checked once more, and Ivey fired 45,000 . At this point, the Lithuanian player made a huge check-raise to 250,000 , putting Ivey all-in. It was a tough and pivotal decision for Phil, who spent several minutes in the tank before calling. At showdown, Lazauninkas revealed 9♥ 9♣ for a set of nines, while Ivey showed A♣ A♥ , making him a big underdog. The river brought the 3♣ , giving Lazauninkas a full house and sending Ivey to the re-entry desk. Thus, Phil Ivey became the first player eliminated from the tournament, repeating a similar early exit he experienced at the Triton Super High Roller Series Cyprus. For reference: a “set” is three cards of the same rank, and a “full house” is a combination of three of a kind and a pair. A “check-raise” is a move where a player first checks, then raises in response to an opponent’s bet. In this hand, Ivey found himself in a tough spot, holding an overpair but losing to a set that improved to a full house on the river. Tournament statistics and prize pool The 2024 Triton Invitational in Jeju featured 60 pairs of players—120 participants in total—setting a new tournament record. The buy-in was $200,000 per player, and the total prize pool exceeded $24,000,000 after the initial registrations and re-entries. Thanks to such strong interest from both professionals and invited guests, the tournament has become one of the most anticipated poker events of the year. For comparison: the previous record for number of pairs was set in May 2024 in Montenegro at 48 pairs. The increase in participants highlights the growing popularity of the Invitational format and the trust the Triton Series enjoys among the world’s poker elite. How to follow the Triton Invitational All tournament action can be followed live via the official Triton stream and in the Triton Plus Poker app. For the first time in Triton history, there is comprehensive text coverage on PokerNews, with editor Eliot Thomas —a specialist in poker and casino reporting—covering the event. He has previously reported on major tournaments such as the World Series of Poker and European Poker Tour, and is now on-site in South Korea. Key hand summary Players: Phil Ivey (A♣ A♥) vs. Gytis Lazauninkas (9♥ 9♣) Starting stacks: Ivey — 212,000, Lazauninkas — 295,000 Tournament prize pool at the time of the hand: $24,000,000+ Pot size: 445 big blinds Flop: 4♣ 9♦ 2♥ Turn: 3♦ River: 3♣ Result: Lazauninkas wins with a full house, Ivey is the first to bust What this means for PPPoker club players For PPPoker club members, this story is a vivid reminder that even the world’s best players aren’t immune to brutal coolers. Situations where pocket aces are cracked by a set or full house happen at every level, from amateur games to the highest stakes. The key is to stay disciplined and not let one tough hand throw you off your game. It’s also worth noting the tournament format: separate fields for invited guests and professionals create a fairer and more engaging game. In PPPoker clubs, you can experiment with similar formats, dividing tournaments by player category or skill level—this helps maintain balance and attract new members. Finally, Phil Ivey’s experience shows that even after a rough start, there’s always a chance to rebuy and keep fighting for big prizes. Don’t be afraid to use your second chance if the tournament structure allows it, and remember that poker is a long game where not just individual hands, but your ability to handle adversity, determines your success.