Aaron Zang won the richest tournament in the history of poker when he defeated Bryn Kenney heads up and overcame a 5-1 deficit to win the million dollar buy-in 2019 Triton Million in London. Zang and Kenney made a heads-up deal, so Kenney actually banked more as a second-place finisher with nearly £16.9 million. With over $55.5 million in earnings, Kenney took over first place in the all-time money winner list according to Hendon Mob.
Ship it to Aaron Zang! The businessman from China and high-stakes player outlasted a difficult final table to win the 2019 Triton Million London that had a buy-in worth £1,050,000. Zang won £13.7 million or approximately $16.9 million USD in the richest tournament of all-time.
The Triton Million in London attracted 54 runners in this special invitation only event in which wealthy "businessmen" and "recreational" highstakes players had the opportunity to invite pros to participate in this special charity event. The tournament had a buy-in of £1,050,000 with 50K set aside to A Helping Hand charity.
Overall, the Triton folks raised £2.7 million in charity for A Helping Hand thanks to the generosity of pros and recs in the high-stakes community. Poker players definitely get a bad rap, but its moments like this that should garner more attention. The gambling world is usually a black hole for money, but poker players actually give back.
But let's be honest here... everyone in London playing at Triton were not exactly there to save the friggin' whales. They were there to win the mountains of cash in play. The top 11 places paid out or roughly 20% of the field, but the Triton London was a top-heavy event. All the cheesecake was at the top of the heap. Initially, they set aside £19 million to first place and £11 million to the runner-up.
Bill Perkins, gas trader and baller from the US, bagged up the lead at the end of Day 1. Only 36 of the original 54 players were alive after the first day of action in London. Durrr and Rick Salomon were the first two players to exit after they dusted off their stacks in this million dollar field rather quickly. Jungleman, Fedor Holz, Haralabob, and Billy Baldwin were among the causalities on Day 1.
At the end of Day 2, the money bubble had burst and Igor Kurganov bubbled in 12th place. He went home with zilch, while everyone else locked up a min-cash. Winfred Yu (11th place), Chin Wei Lim (10th place), and Wai Leong Chan (9th) busted late on Day 2, while Chan bubbled the final table.
With eight remaining, Vivek Rajkumar bagged up the lead at the end of Day 2. He went into the final table as the guy to beat with over 18M in chips. Vivek was unable to maintain the lead and fizzled out in fifth place.
Tim Adams was the first player to bust at the final table when he went out in eight place, which paid out £1,400,000. Rec Alfred DeCarolis hit the bricks in seventh place, followed by Bill Perkins and his pinstripe suit in sixth place.
Vivek bowed out in fifth place, which paid out £3 million. With four to go, Aaron Zang was the last rec standing with three sharks circling with Dan Smith, Bryn Kenney, and Aaron Zang.
Chidwick busted fourth but he still banked £4.4 million or over $5.3 million USD.
Dan Smith was the next player out. His remarkable run ended in third place, which paid out a whopping £7.2 million or almost $8.8 million USD. Not too shabby, eh?
When heads up began, Zang trailed 5-1 in chips. They made a deal and played for the title and a little extra left on the table.
Zang rallied from his huge deficit to pull even and then overtake Kenney. Zang went on to win and he earned £13.78 million per terms of the deal, which is less than Kenney's final score worth £16.9 million for a runner-up finish.
Zang banked approximately $16.75 million USD and Kenney walked away with over $20.5 million. Man cut that up any way you want and it's still a sick hail.
With the victory Zang got more street cred. And for a second-place finish Kenney took over first place in the all-time money list over at Hendon Mob with over $55.5 million in winnings. It's Kenney first and ZeeJustin second. Heck of a run for Kenney over the last couple of years. The 32-year old pro from Long Island, New York loves these Triton events and let's not forget he kicked off 2019 with a victory down under at the Aussie Millions.
2019 Triton Million for Charity - London
Buy-in: £1,050,000
Entrants: 54
Prize Pool: £54,000,000
Payouts: 11
Final Table Results:
1. Aaron Zang (China) £13,779,491**
2. Bryn Kenney (USA) £16,890,509**
3. Dan Smith (USA) £7,200,000
4. Stephen Chidwick (UK) £4,410,000
5. Vivek Rajkumar (India) £3,000,000
6. Bill Perkins (USA) £2,200,000
7. Alfred DeCarolis (USA) £1,720,000
8. Timothy Adams (Canada) £1,400,000
