Thrilling Start to the Triton Super High Roller Series
The glittering lights of Monte Carlo saw the commencement of the Triton Super High Roller Series with the Special Triton Invitational. This unique event brought together elite poker professionals and business enthusiasts in a high-stakes clash on the felts. With a buy-in of $200,000, it attracted 73 participants, resulting in a colossal $14.6 million prize pool.
Dan Smith Triumphs Among Titans
The tournament’s pinnacle was reached by seasoned high roller expert, Dan Smith, securing a remarkable victory worth $3,870,000. This achievement marked the third-largest prize in Smith’s illustrious poker career, reinforcing his reputation as one of the game’s leading players. Smith, ranked sixth on the all-time money list, is now one step closer to overtaking Daniel Negreanu in fifth place.
A Stellar Final Table Lineup
Smith’s journey to victory wasn’t a walk in the park. He outperformed a star-studded final table that featured France’s new all-time money leader, Jean-Noel Thorel (4th – $1,390,000), Germany’s prodigious talent, Fedor Holz (7th – $694,000), and sports betting icon Haralabos Voulgaris (9th – $406,000).
Final Table Results:
- 1. Dan Smith (United States) – $3,870,000
- 2. Mario Mosböck (Austria) – $2,690,000
- 3. Elton Tsang (Hong Kong) – $1,780,000
- 4. Jean-Noel Thorel (France) – $1,390,000
- 5. Alexander Shelukhin (Russia) – $1,125,000
- 6. Danny Tang (Hong Kong) – $875,000
- 7. Fedor Holz (Germany) – $694,000
- 8. Ilkin Gabrili (Azerbaijan) – $540,000
- 9. Haralabos Voulgaris (Canada) – $406,000
A Milestone Achievement for Dan Smith
This victory represents Smith’s first Triton title and elevates his all-time earnings to an impressive $49.1 million, edging closer to the $50-million milestone. It’s an accomplishment that rivals only his third-place finish in the 2019 Triton Million For Charity ($8.8 million) and another third-place finish in the 2018 Big One for One Drop ($4 million).
Smith Reflects on His Success
Speaking after his triumph, Smith acknowledged the ever-increasing competition in the world of poker. “Poker’s really tough these days and only getting tougher,” he stated. “I started playing super high rollers in 2012, and there’s only like seven of us who are still left from back then. It’s really cool that I still get to compete and sometimes win at this level. This is a huge moment, and it’s really cool that I get to do it.”
An Invitational Invite Leads to Victory
Smith’s entry into the event came via an invitation from Danish businessman Theis Vad Hennebjerre. Interestingly, Hennebjerre was eliminated early in the tournament, while his high-stakes partner, Smith, went on to seize the title.
A Thrilling Conclusion
Mario Mosböck, a retired footballer, initially held the chip lead over Smith. However, fate took a turn, resulting in a dramatic two-pair versus two-pair showdown. Smith emerged victorious, locking up a seven-figure payday, cementing his place in poker’s elite.