Poker legend knocks out quad aces at Triton Jeju 2026

At the main event of the Triton Poker Series Jeju 2026, Jean-Noel Thorel beat Nick Petrangelo’s aces with four of a kind, taking the lead in the tournament.

The $100,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em Main Event has kicked off at the Triton Poker Series Jeju II 2026, and already in the early stages, a hand unfolded that many are calling one of the most memorable of the tournament. At the center of the action were French veteran Jean-Noel Thorel and renowned pro Nick Petrangelo. Key Hand: Set vs Pocket Aces On level five, with blinds at 1,000/2,500, Jean-Noel Thorel, known for his unconventional playing style, opened to 5,000 from middle position. Nick Petrangelo, on the button, three-bet to 20,000. Thorel called. The flop came 3♥2♦3♦. Thorel checked, and Petrangelo continued for 20,000. Thorel called. On the turn, the K♥ fell, and the action repeated: Thorel checked, Petrangelo bet 80,000, and Thorel called again. The river was the 3♠, completing the board. Thorel checked a third time. Petrangelo bet 300,000, leaving himself just 36,000 chips behind. Thorel check-raised, and Petrangelo called all-in. Petrangelo tabled A♥A♣—the top full house, which most at the table considered unbeatable. But Thorel revealed 3♣2♣, giving him quad threes. This pot propelled Thorel’s stack to over a million chips and put him in the tournament lead, while Petrangelo was eliminated. Standings After the Key Hand At the last break, Jean-Noel Thorel remained in the lead with 1,200,000 chips. In second is Quan Zhou from China with 966,000, followed by Defeng Chen with 720,000. The top 10 also features well-known players such as Artur Martirosian, Thomas Muehloecker, Daniel Rezaei, and Pedro Padilha. Current Chip Count (Top 7): Jean-Noel Thorel — 1,200,000 Quan Zhou — 966,000 Defeng Chen — 720,000 Artur Martirosian — 621,500 Thomas Muehloecker — 510,000 Daniel Rezaei — 506,000 Pedro Padilha — 479,000 Who Is Jean-Noel Thorel and His Quest for a Triton Title Jean-Noel Thorel is one of the most experienced and respected players on the high roller circuit. He already boasts 16 cashes at Triton events, totaling $11,269,800. Despite his impressive résumé, a Triton Poker Series title has so far eluded the Frenchman. Thorel came especially close in 2024, finishing runner-up in the Triton Poker Jeju Main Event with the same $100,000 buy-in, earning $2,875,000—a result that stood as his personal best for a long time. In 2025, at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Super Main Event, Thorel again finished second, this time for $6,000,000. Whether Thorel can finally capture a Triton title remains to be seen. For now, he holds a commanding lead, and fans have every reason to follow his run live on PokerNews. Context: Triton Poker Series Jeju II 2026 The Main Event of the Triton Poker Series Jeju II 2026 is a $100,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament that traditionally attracts the world’s top players. The Triton Series is renowned for its high stakes, elite fields, and reputation as one of the most prestigious events in live poker. The tournament features stars such as Artur Martirosian, Thomas Muehloecker, Daniel Rezaei, Pedro Padilha, and other professionals who regularly compete on the world’s biggest stages. Hand Breakdown: How Thorel and Petrangelo Played It The key moment in this hand was Thorel entering the pot with 3♣2♣ from middle position—a hand most players at this level would rarely play aggressively. But Thorel’s reputation for creative play came into effect. Petrangelo, holding pocket aces, improved to the top full house on the river, but Thorel made quads and check-raised the river, forcing Petrangelo to put in all his remaining chips. Hands like this highlight the importance of reading your opponent and understanding hand ranges, and show that even the strongest starting hands can be vulnerable to creative play. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this hand is a vivid example of how important it is to think flexibly and be willing to go beyond standard strategies. Even at the highest stakes, unconventional starting hand selection and aggressive play can pay off if you read your opponents well and know how to use their expectations against them. At the same time, Petrangelo’s story is a reminder: even with the strongest hand, you can’t afford to let your guard down. It’s crucial to analyze your opponent’s actions at every stage of the hand and be prepared for unexpected holdings—especially when you’re up against players known for their creativity and aggression. The practical takeaway for PPPoker players: don’t limit yourself to standard lines, and always adapt your strategy to your opponents’ playing styles. Follow major tournaments to learn from the pros and apply their approaches in your club games.