Zhao Wenjie Wins Triton Poker Jeju Main Event for $1.16 Million

China player Zhao Wenjie ended Triton Poker Jeju with a breakthrough victory in the $8,000 no limit hold’em main event. The win delivered $1,160,000 and the first major live poker title of Zhao career.

Zhao entered the festival with limited Triton experience but left with a seven figure payday after defeating a huge field.

Good to Know

• Triton Poker Jeju main event attracted 1,230 entries.
• Total prize pool reached $8,945,790.
• Zhao Wenjie collected $1,160,000 for first place.

Huge Field Creates Nearly $9 Million Prize Pool

Interest in the $8K no limit hold’em tournament proved massive. A total of 1,230 entries built a prize pool of $8,945,790, with the top 199 players earning payouts and six figure prizes reserved for the final nine.

Before the victory, Zhao had only modest tournament results recorded. The largest previous score reached $23,400 for a 47th place finish in a $5,000 main event at WSOP Super Circuit Cyprus last year.

After the Triton win, lifetime tournament earnings moved past $1.2 million.

Final Table Action

Spain player Ander Vallinas entered the final table with the largest stack and more than 150 big blinds. Japanese bracelet winner Shota Nakanishi and Zhao Wenjie were the only other players above the 100 big blind mark at the start.

Jimmy Guerrero and Eguchi Takumi exited first, followed later by high stakes regular Quan Zhou when Vallinas caught a pair against pocket fives. Several more eliminations followed, including Issey Maeda and Kai Yang. Liu Xiaohu finished fourth after running into a stronger ace held by Vallinas.

Three handed play saw Vallinas hold a strong chip advantage while Zhao stayed close behind. Nakanishi managed an early double but eventually fell in third place when Zhao won a key pot with ace queen.

Heads up play began with Vallinas slightly ahead in chips. Both players agreed to a deal that guaranteed large payouts while leaving extra prize money and the title still in play.

Momentum soon shifted. Zhao pulled ahead after forcing Vallinas to fold during a major bluff on a straight board. From there the final hand arrived quickly. Zhao moved all in with suited connectors and Vallinas called with ace nine. A flop containing three spades gave Zhao a flush immediately and ended the tournament.

Vallinas finished second but collected the largest payout due to the deal reached during heads up play.

Final Table Results

1. Zhao Wenjie — $1,160,000
2. Ander Vallinas — $1,337,000
3. Shota Nakanishi — $641,000
4. Liu Xiaohu — $475,000
5. Kai Yang — $371,000
6. Issey Maeda — $279,000
7. Zhou Quan — $213,000
8. Eguchi Takumi — $151,000
9. Jimmy Guerrero — $116,990

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