While Danny Tang and Wai Kin Yong were making waves with their four Triton titles each, trailing just behind Jason Koon with eight, the latter responded swiftly, asserting his dominance with a decisive win at the $60,000 Short Deck Main Event in London’s Triton series.
The event garnered a total of 46 entries, including 19 re-entries, culminating in a prize pool of $2,760,000. Koon's relentless drive secured him the first prize, a sumptuous $828,000, and an exclusive Jacob & Co timepiece, complementing one he previously received in Cyprus. Acknowledging the invaluable support of his friend, Paul Phua, Koon intends to gift the watch to him.
The drama unfolded at the final table as Tan Xuan, after a string of audacious plays, found himself in a challenging position. Chris Brewer usurped his initial lead. Yet, the volatility of short deck poker ensured that fortunes could turn rapidly.
In one memorable pot, Koon’s nines hit quads against Xuan's set of kings, resulting in a massive shift in chips and momentum. This hand essentially defined the event's final stages, pushing Xuan to fourth place with $292,500 in winnings.
🇺🇸 @JasonKoon didn't even use his One-Time in short deck! pic.twitter.com/aJVc60WcXy
— Triton Poker (@tritonpoker) August 11, 2023
The final table saw Lun Loon, a rising star in the Triton Series, whose exceptional performance ended in a third-place finish, cashing $386,800. His exit paved the way for a heads-up duel between Koon and Kiat Lee. Despite Lee's commendable resilience, Koon's vast experience in short deck poker dictated the pace and eventual outcome.
The event concluded with Jason Koon solidifying his status as a Triton legend, while Kiat Lee settled for second place with $598,000.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever one-outered anyone in a tournament,” Koon said. “I just accepted my fate, got up.” But lady luck was on his side today, allowing him to secure a record ninth title.
Wow, just wow 🤯. No words can describe 🇺🇸 @JasonKoon's achievements. Koon strikes again as he lands his 9th Triton title 🔱🏆. With 4 Short Deck titles under his name, he proves that he's the short deck king! Congratulations again, Jason 🥳🎉! pic.twitter.com/JBZ2QJkOIE
— Triton Poker (@tritonpoker) August 10, 2023
Watch the replay of the final table here:
2023 Triton London Event #16 – $60,000 Short Deck Main Event
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jason Koon | USA | $828,000 |
| 2nd | Kiat Lee | Malaysia | $598,000 |
| 3rd | Lun Loon | Malaysia | $386,800 |
| 4th | Tan Xuan | China | $292,500 |
| 5th | Chris Brewer | USA | $226,300 |
| 6th | Wai Kin Yong | Malaysia | $176,700 |
| 7th | Masashi Oya | Japan | $140,700 |
| 8th | Daniel Dvoress | Canada | $111,000 |
