Phil Ivey was the first to bust with aces at the Triton $200k in Jeju

Phil Ivey was the first to be eliminated from the record-breaking Triton Invitational in Jeju after an unlucky hand with pocket aces. The tournament attracted a record number of participants.

Phil Ivey became the first player eliminated from the record-breaking $200,000 Triton Invitational in Jeju, South Korea, after his pocket aces were cracked in one of the tournament’s biggest pots. Record-Breaking Start for the Triton Invitational in Jeju This year, the Triton Super High Roller Series is hosting its prestigious Invitational in Asia for the first time, at Les A Casino in Jeju, South Korea. The $200,000 buy-in event attracted a record number of participants: 60 pairs of players — Invitees and Pros. This surpassed the previous record set in May at the Triton Invitational in Montenegro, which had 48 pairs. Triton CEO Andy Wong called these numbers “a phenomenal achievement” and noted that the Invitational format appeals to both amateurs and professionals. According to Wong, invitees appreciate the chance to compete with pros on equal footing, while professionals get the opportunity to face new opponents for whom poker is primarily about the game and competition. On the first day of the tournament, invitees and pros play in separate fields, and on the second day, they merge into a single pool. This creates a unique dynamic and gives players of all levels a chance to shine. Phil Ivey: A Rough Start Despite a Successful Series Five-time Triton champion and one of the most famous players of the modern era, Phil Ivey, came into the Invitational in great form. At the current Jeju series, he had already made two final tables and won the top bounty of $400,000 in the $40K NLH Mystery Bounty event. However, his first attempt in the $200,000 Invitational ended in disaster — Ivey was the first player knocked out, losing a massive pot right at the start. This wasn’t the first time Ivey has exited an Invitational early: a similar situation happened at the Triton Super High Roller Series in Cyprus. This time, everything was decided in literally the first hand of the day. Key Hand: Ivey’s Aces vs. Lazauninkas’ Set In one of the tournament’s opening hands, Lithuanian pro Gytis Lazauninkas opened with a raise to 2,500 holding a starting stack of 295,000. Phil Ivey, on the button with 212,000 chips, three-bet to 10,000. Lazauninkas called. The flop came 4♣ 9♦ 2♥. Lazauninkas checked, and Ivey bet 15,000. The Lithuanian called again. The turn brought the 3♦, and once more Lazauninkas checked. Ivey kept up the aggression, betting 45,000. At this point, Lazauninkas moved all-in for 250,000, covering Ivey’s stack and putting his tournament life at risk. Ivey tanked for a long time, trying to figure out his opponent’s range, but eventually called. Lazauninkas turned over 9♥ 9♣ — a set of nines, while Ivey showed A♣ A♥. The river was the 3♣, which didn’t help Ivey but gave Lazauninkas a full house. As a result, Ivey was eliminated, and his run in the Invitational ended almost as soon as it began. This hand built a pot of an incredible 445 big blinds — one of the largest at the start of a tournament of this caliber. Ivey headed to the re-entry desk, becoming the first to buy back in and add to the already growing prize pool, which at that point stood at $24,000,000. Format and Features of the Triton Invitational The Triton Invitational is a unique tournament featuring both invited amateurs and professional players. On the first day, they are split into two fields, which prevents early pro vs. pro clashes and gives amateurs a chance to shine. From the second day, all players merge and the battle for the biggest prizes begins. This year’s tournament is part of Triton’s tenth anniversary, adding even more excitement to the event. The prize pool already exceeded $24,000,000 at the start, making this Invitational one of the most significant poker events of the year. You can follow the tournament via Triton’s official live stream, the Triton Plus Poker mobile app, and for the first time — through PokerNews live text updates. On site is PokerNews editor Eliot Thomas, who specializes in poker events and has previously covered series such as the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour. Tournament Standings and Payouts (at the time of Ivey’s elimination) At the time Phil Ivey was eliminated, the tournament prize pool stood at $24,000,000, with 60 pairs (120 players) remaining. Ivey was the first to bust, after which he took advantage of the re-entry option. Below are the key tournament details at that moment: Tournament name: $200,000 Triton Invitational Venue: Les A Casino, Jeju, South Korea Date: tournament start — Friday (exact date not specified in the original) Participants: 60 pairs (120 players: invitees and pros) Prize pool: $24,000,000 (at the time of Ivey’s elimination) First player out: Phil Ivey Key hand: Phil Ivey (A♣A♥) vs Gytis Lazauninkas (9♥9♣), pot — 445 big blinds Quotes and Comments from the Organizers Triton CEO Andy Wong noted that the increase in participants is a “sensational achievement,” highlighting the appeal of the Invitational format for all types of players. According to him, invitees value the chance to play on equal terms with professionals, while pros enjoy facing new opponents for whom poker is, above all, about enjoyment and competition. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this news is a great illustration of how even the most experienced and decorated players can run into bad luck in a single hand. Even with a strong hand like pocket aces, the outcome depends on many factors — from tournament structure to opponents’ actions. This underscores the importance of discipline and the ability to handle setbacks. The Triton Invitational format, where amateurs and pros are initially separated and then merged, shows just how important player diversity is for tournament dynamics. In PPPoker clubs, you’ll also encounter opponents of all skill levels, and being able to adapt to each playing style is key to success. Finally, Phil Ivey’s example shows that even after a setback, there’s always a chance to get back in the game if the tournament format allows. Take advantage of such opportunities in PPPoker club tournaments to gain experience and keep your fighting spirit up after tough hands.