Alex Anton Wins Triton Jeju Turbo Title for $577,000

Alex Anton speeds to a Triton Poker turbo title in Jeju

Alex Anton added another major line to his résumé by winning the $30,000 no-limit hold’em turbo event at the 2026 Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju II. The bracelet winner outlasted a 70-entry field and claimed $577,000, which became the second-largest cash of his career.

On paper, a Triton title is always a big deal. In a turbo format, though, the story changes a little. The shortened levels compress skill edges, increase the importance of stack depth, and put a premium on fast, accurate decisions. In other words, this was not a slow-burn marathon; it was a high-pressure sprint where one flip can decide a fortune.

Anton’s reaction captured that reality perfectly. He called the event “really silly,” not because it lacked prestige, but because the structure forced players into a constant stream of high-dollar all-ins. Still, the win matters, and it matters a lot: it shows he can adapt to the fastest formats on one of poker’s toughest stages.

Payouts, POY points, and a stronger 2026 campaign

The $577,000 payday pushed Anton’s career earnings past $3 million. His only bigger score remains the $678,300 he earned this summer by winning the $10,000 Mystery Bounty at the WSOP in Las Vegas.

The Triton victory also came with 588 Card Player Player of the Year points. That gave Anton his third title and seventh final-table finish of 2026, a season that has already turned him into one of the most productive players on the circuit.

With 4,570 total points, the 25-year-old from Miami moved up to 21st place in the CoinPoker-presented overall standings. For players following the POY race, this is a reminder that consistency plus one or two giant results can quickly reshape the leaderboard.

If you are preparing for similar high-stakes fields, studying formats at poker rooms and sharpening your game through poker school can make a real difference when stacks get shallow and decisions get thin.

How the Triton Jeju final table unfolded

Only the top 11 finishers shared the $2,100,000 prize pool. Ren Lin was the last player eliminated without a payout, and the frustration was amplified because he had already bubbled the $50,000 event earlier the same day.

Daniel Rezaei finished 11th for $52,000, and Jesse Lonis followed in 10th for the same amount. Once the final nine were set, every elimination locked up six-figure money, turning each pot into a high-stakes swing.

Stephen Chidwick, a three-time Triton champion, began the final table as the chip leader. Anton sat third in chips, which gave him room to maneuver but not enough to relax. In turbo poker, even a strong start can evaporate quickly.

• 9th — Mingcong Chen, $60,000
• 8th — Winfred Yu, $79,000
• 7th — Mikita Badziakouski, $101,000
• 6th — Byron Kaverman, $128,000
• 5th — Adrian Mateos, $164,000
• 4th — Stephen Chidwick, $207,000
• 3rd — Alisson Piekazewicz, $269,000
• 2nd — Artur Martirosian, $411,000
• 1st — Alex Anton, $577,000

Key hands that decided the Triton turbo

Mikita Badziakouski was one of the first big names to fall. His pocket fours ran into Artur Martirosian’s A♦K♣ and failed to hold, sending the Belarusian out in seventh for $101,000. With more than $72.8 million in live earnings, Badziakouski remains one of the game’s most accomplished players, but turbo poker rarely gives anyone much breathing room.

Byron Kaverman then exited in sixth place for $128,000, and pocket fours were involved again. This time Martirosian picked up the better end of the race with 10♣6♣. In a slower structure, those spots might never happen so often. In a turbo, they are part of the daily grind.

Adrian Mateos also lost to Martirosian. Mateos got the chips in ahead with A♠J♥ versus Q♦9♥, but a nine on the turn flipped the hand and sent the Spanish star to the rail in fifth for $164,000.

Stephen Chidwick fell in fourth when Anton’s J♠4♣ held against 10♦6♣. That pot was crucial: it helped Anton seize momentum from a player with more than $80 million in career earnings.

Expert analysis: what this result means for players

Anton’s win is a strong example of what modern high-roller turbo poker rewards. In these fields, technical postflop skill still matters, but it is no longer enough on its own. Players need elite short-stack instincts, disciplined push/fold ranges, and the emotional control to keep making correct decisions while variance runs hot.

• Turbos compress edges, so preflop accuracy becomes even more valuable.
• Short-stack all-ins are not “luck spots” only; they are range battles that demand preparation.
• Big-field super high roller events reward players who can switch gears quickly.
• Deep runs in POY races often come from combining volume, adaptability, and one marquee score.

For the broader poker ecosystem, Triton continues to prove that the top tier of live poker is not just about reputation. It is about adjusting to format, pressure, and field quality. If you want to build toward that level, it helps to keep an eye on poker clubs and promotions & bonuses that can support your bankroll and tournament schedule.

Final table finish: Martirosian falls short, Anton closes it out

Heads-up play began with Martirosian holding a 4:3 chip lead over Anton. The American fought back, briefly took control, then lost a key all-in with 8-4 suited against A-J, bringing the stacks close again.

The match stayed volatile, with the shorter stack winning several all-ins before Anton finally sealed the title. His K♥6♠ held against 5♥3♥ in the last hand, ending the event and awarding Martirosian $411,000 for second place.

Martirosian, now a four-time Triton champion, pushed his lifetime earnings to $42.5 million with the runner-up finish. Anton, meanwhile, added a huge trophy and another elite cash to a season that is rapidly becoming one of the best of his career.

In a format this fast, one thing is clear: the player who adapts best, not just the one who starts best, is usually the one lifting the trophy.

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