Timofey Kuznetsov Leads the 2017 Triton Super High Roller Manila 6-Max Event
The Triton Super High Roller Series has become a fixture on the international poker circuit since its founding in 2016. Once again some of the biggest names of the international poker circuit made the trip to Manila and joined the action in the exclusive Solaire Resort and Casino.
The first-class venue provided first-class service to its players including a free buffet and 35 unique players participated in the HK$ 250,000 6-Max Event (approximately $32,200) thus far.
After nine levels of 45 minutes each, only 24 hopefuls claimed chips and Russia's Timofey "Trueteller" Kuznetsov holds a commanding lead after turning the starting stack of 50,000 into massive 342,200. Kuznetsov still leads the 2017 leaderboard for online cash game winnings and went on a hot run to dominate Day 1 of 6-Max Event.
Kuznetsov first scored a fortunate double with king-ten suited against the jack-five suited of Winfred Yu, then busted Yu after cracking the aces of the President of Poker King Club with king-seven suited.
Sergio Aido lost more than half of his stack early on before going back on track in the last two levels of the night. The Spaniard bagged up 139,100, closely followed by Mikita Badziakouski (134,800), Dario Sammartino (129,200) and Rainer Kempe (116,500).
Other notables coming back for Day 2 include Koray Aldemir (93,900), David Peters (83,400), Pratyush Buddiga (77,800), Erik Seidel (76,500), Founder of Triton Richard Yong (74,000), Dan Colman (56,600), 2016 Triton Super High Roller SunCity Cup champion Dan Cates (52,100), defending Triton Super High Roller Main Event champion Wai Kin Yong (32,500), Winfred Yu (29,700) and Paul Phua (26,800).
Six players opted to fire a second bullet and this created a 41-entry strong field. However, this number is not final yet, as the registration remains open until the cards are back in the air for Day 2 as of 1 p.m. local time on Feb. 18.
Among those to buy in twice was Phil Ivey, but the superstar failed to find a bag and won't be allowed to enter again. Ivey first bowed out with ace-nine against the pocket kings of Stanley Choi before being eliminated a second time in a three-way all in with Kuznetsov and Rui Cao.
Bryn Kenney and Mustapha Kanit were also among the casualties, but both can enter again before Day 2. Kanit busted in the last hand of the night in a battle of the blinds with Kempe after the former limped in with ace-jack suited. Kanit kept his promise to go all in during the last three hands of the night and did so with the king-five off suit; the board ran out queen-high.
During the second level, the event organizers, including Yu, announced an upcoming Triton Super High Roller Series later this year in Macau and welcomed all participants to join. Luxury watch brand Hublot was announced as official timekeeper and provider of the tournament clock for the high-stakes spectacle.
Day 2 Seat Draw
| Table | Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Timofey Kuznetsov | Russia | 342,200 |
| 1 | 2 | Stanley Choi | Hong Kong | 50,100 |
| 1 | 3 | Jack Salter | United Kingdom | 39,100 |
| 1 | 4 | Devan Tang | Hong Kong | 85,500 |
| 1 | 5 | Sergio Aido | Spain | 139,100 |
| 2 | 1 | Pratyush Buddiga | USA | 77,800 |
| 2 | 2 | Wai Kin Yong | Malaysia | 32,500 |
| 2 | 3 | Winfred Yu | Hong Kong | 29,700 |
| 2 | 4 | Mikita Badziakouski | Belarus | 134,800 |
| 2 | 5 | Yu Liang | China | 117,000 |
| 3 | 1 | David Peters | USA | 83,400 |
| 3 | 2 | John Juanda | Singapore | 35,300 |
| 3 | 3 | Paul Phua | Malaysia | 26,800 |
| 3 | 4 | Marcus Yi Lim | Singapore | 64,600 |
| 3 | 5 | Rainer Kempe | United Kingdom | 116,500 |
| 4 | 1 | Koray Aldemir | Germany | 93,900 |
| 4 | 2 | Marius Torbergsen | Norway | 72,600 |
| 4 | 3 | Dan Colman | USA | 56,600 |
| 4 | 4 | Dan Cates | USA | 52,100 |
| 4 | 5 | Dario Sammartino | Italy | 129,200 |
| 5 | 1 | Adam Sanders | USA | 48,600 |
| 5 | 2 | Cheok Leng Cheong | Philippines | 73,000 |
| 5 | 3 | Erik Seidel | USA | 76,500 |
| 5 | 4 | Richard Yong | Malaysia | 74,000 |
The remaining 24 players and possible new participants and re-entries will return to The Forum at Solaire Resort and Casino at 1 p.m. local time with level 10 and blinds of 800-1,600 and a running ante of 200. The event is scheduled to play down to a winner and the PokerNews live reporting team will be there to provide all the updates.