While Patrik Antonius is a Poker Hall of Famer with $29 million in career tournament earnings, along with millions more won online and in cash games, he had his hands full with a stacked final table in the $200,000 buy-in Triton Invitational at Sporting Monte-Carlo in Monaco.
Some of Europe’s biggest high-stakes crushers were on hand to battle Antonius for the $5,130,000 first-place prize, but it was a complete unknown that ended up giving him the most trouble.
After three days of play, the field of 102 had been whittled down to just two, Antonius, and 69-year-old businessman and poker novice Vladimir Korzinin. The Estonian, who admitted on the live stream that he didn’t “know how to play,” became a viewer favorite for his wild and unconventional decisions and was even dubbed ‘Gambledore’ by those in the chat for his bearded resemblance to the Harry Potter character.
Korzinin had Antonius on the ropes at one point, and would have won the tournament had he found a hero call during heads-up play, but Antonius was able to fight back for the title and the $5.13 million payout.
“Obviously, it feels really special at home,” said the Finnish pro, who has lived in Monaco for more than a decade. “A bit surreal. It was not easy today.”
Although Antonius normally focuses on cash games, it’s been a great year on the high roller circuit for the 43-year-old former model and tennis standout. In March, he took fourth in the Triton Jeju $100,000 event for $1.7 million, and then in April, he returned home to win the €100,000 EPT Monte Carlo high roller for $2.2 million.
Korzinin settled for $3.47 million, which was only his third cash. Just last month, he took third in a $10,000 EPT Cyprus side event for $78,300 for his first ever in-the-money finish.
The Triton Invitational featured a unique format where amateur players invite poker pros to play, but are segregated in their own field to start the tournament. The field is then combined on day 3.
Notables who finished in the money included Wai Kin Yong (16th), Brian Kim (15th), Nick Petrangelo (14th), Chris Brewer (13th), Linus Loeliger (12th), Tan Xuan (8th), and Konstantin Maslek (7th).
Mikita Badziakouski finished in sixth place, taking a bad beat at the hands of Korzinin. He did bank $1,188,000, however, for the 18th seven-figure score of his career. The Belarusian now has $59.5 million in total recorded earnings, which is good for fourth place on the all-time money list.
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau then lost a coinflip to bust in fifth place, adding $1,506,000 to his quickly growing poker resume. He now has $11.1 million in total earnings, including the $4.7 million he pocketed in May during the Triton Montenegro $125,000 high roller event.
The Czech Republic’s Roman Hrabec has had a great week in Monaco, starting with his win in the $40,000 mystery bounty event for $1.18 million. He then took fourth in the invitational, winning another $1.87 million to grow his lifetime totals to $13.8 million. That includes the $4.3 million he picked up in March for winning the Triton Jeju $100,000 high roller.
2022 WSOP main event champion Espen Jorstad was the next to fall, failing to hit his flush draw against Korzinin’s top pair. The Norweigian earned $2.25 million as a consolation prize, giving him $18.3 million overall.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout |
| 1 | Patrik Antonius | $5,130,000 |
| 2 | Vladimir Korzinin | $3,470,000 |
| 3 | Espen Jorstad | $2,255,000 |
| 4 | Roman Hrabec | $1,867,000 |
| 5 | Mikalai Vaskaboinikau | $1,506,000 |
| 6 | Mikita Badziakouski | $1,188,000 |
| 7 | Konstantin Maslak | $908,000 |
| 8 | Tan Xuan | $684,000 |
| 9 | Morten Klein | $510,000 |
The Triton Super High Roller Poker Series in Monte Carlo is hitting the mid-way point with tournaments running from Nov. 1-14 on the shores of the Mediterranean. Stay tuned to Card Player for recaps throughout this marquee tournament series featuring the best poker players in the world.
*_Photo Credit: Triton Poker_