Simao Wins $200K Triton Invitational in

From Two Big Blinds to a Historic Title

The $200K NLH Triton Invitational at Triton SHRS Jeju II produced one of the more remarkable comeback stories of the series. Brazil's Joao Simao, left with roughly two big blinds shortly after the money bubble burst, rebuilt his stack through a series of double-ups, reached the final day with an average stack, and went on to win the event for $7,250,000.

That result stands as the largest tournament score in Brazilian poker history. Biao Ding of China finished second for $4,940,000, a personal best.

Event Format and Field

The Invitational drew an elite field built around invited businessmen paired with professional players. A total of 60 pairs were invited, and the event reached 173 entries, generating a prize pool of $34,600,000 paid among the top 31 finishers.

The bubble phase on Day 2 was defined by a costly bluff from Filipino player Semi Sun, who held an above-average stack before exiting. Chinese player Yang Wang, who eliminated Sun, carried the chip lead into the final day.

Final Table and Heads-Up

Simao arrived at the final table as chipleader and entered heads-up play with close to a 2:1 advantage over Ding. The two declined to discuss a deal and played a heads-up duel that lasted about 2.5 hours.

Despite the initial chip edge, Simao was the first player to face possible elimination. He survived via a split pot and then regained the lead. In the final hand, all the chips went in on a flop of 9h 5s 5d. Ding held Th 9s against Simao's Ks Kd. The turn 2s and river 7d did not improve Ding's hand, ending the tournament.

American Seth Davies finished third for $3,470,000, becoming the first player to reach three Triton Invitational final tables.

Event #10 Final Table Results

• 1. Joao Simao, Brazil — $7,250,000
• 2. Biao Ding, China — $4,940,000
• 3. Seth Davies, USA — $3,470,000
• 4. Yang Wang, China — $2,820,000
• 5. Emilien Pitavy, France — $2,245,000
• 6. Winfred Yu, Hong Kong — $1,693,000
• 7. Hannes Jeschka, Germany — $1,237,000
• 8. Thomas Boivin, Belgium — $905,000
• 9. Eric Tsai (Ting-Yi Tsai), Taiwan — $749,000

Wantman Takes First Triton Title in $50K

Event #11, the $50K NLH 7-Handed, drew 70 entries and a prize pool of $3,500,000, with the top 11 players paid. The closing stages became an all-American affair, with USA players filling the podium.

Matthew Wantman and Poker Hall of Famer Nick Schulman reached heads-up and agreed to an ICM deal. Schulman secured $810,279 and Wantman $806,721, leaving $30,000 and the trophy to play for. The heads-up lasted only three hands after the deal, and Wantman claimed his first Triton title, bringing his total to $836,721.

Event #11 Final Table Results

• 1. Matthew Wantman, USA — $836,721*
• 2. Nick Schulman, USA — $810,279*
• 3. Ben Tollerene, USA — $448,000
• 4. Dan Dvoress, Canada — $344,000
• 5. Danilo Velasevic, Serbia — $273,000
• 6. Danny Tang, Hong Kong — $213,000
• 7. Aliaksandr Shylko, Belarus — $168,000

*ICM deal.

Thorel's Quads Highlight $100K Main Event Opener

Event #12, the $100K NLH Main Event, began with 160 entries and a prize pool of $16,000,000. Late registration remained open until the start of Day 2, so both figures were expected to rise. A total of 73 players advanced to Day 2.

The standout hand of the opening day involved French veteran Jean-Noel Thorel and American star Nick Petrangelo. On a board of 3-2-3-K-3, Petrangelo moved all-in holding A-A for a full house. Thorel revealed 3-2, having rivered quads, and Petrangelo was eliminated as Thorel climbed the leaderboard.

Danilo Velasevic ended Day 1 as chipleader. Nick Schulman, who entered the Main Event directly after finishing the $50K heads-up, held the second-largest stack.

Event #12 Top 10 After Day 1

• 1. Danilo Velasevic, Serbia — 1,864,000
• 2. Nick Schulman, USA — 1,381,000
• 3. Lun Loon, Malaysia — 1,350,000
• 4. Jean-Noel Thorel, France — 1,236,000
• 5. Chahnhoon Jung, USA — 1,185,000
• 6. Alex Foxen, USA — 1,173,000
• 7. Jingyao Yan, China — 1,096,000
• 8. Quan Zhou, China — 1,018,000
• 9. Hannes Jeschka, Germany — 868,000
• 10. Danny Tang, Hong Kong — 810,000

What the Results Show

The Jeju stop underlined a familiar theme in high-roller poker: short stacks can recover quickly when blind levels are deep relative to the average stack, and ICM deals often reshape the final payouts before the trophy is decided. Simao's run from two big blinds to champion is a reminder that in tournament poker, survival is often the first step toward a title.