Danny Tang Wins Triton Cyprus Short Deck Main Event

Danny Tang has achieved an impressive feat by becoming a three-time Triton Poker champion. His remarkable success unfolded during the 2023 Triton Super High Roller Series North Cyprus festival, where he claimed two titles. Notably, Tang’s latest triumph occurred only four days after winning the $50,000 no-limit hold’em Turbo event, securing an impressive prize of $545,000. In the short deck main event with a buy-in of $50,000, he outlasted a field of 44 entries, earning an additional $750,000.

This outstanding victory marked the fifth-largest score of Tang’s career, propelling his total tournament earnings to nearly $15.4 million. Alongside his three Triton wins and a World Series of Poker bracelet, Tang’s accomplishments solidify his position as a prominent figure in the poker world.

Tang’s path to victory was not without challenges, as he faced a formidable final table that included Jason Koon, a seven-time Triton champion, and Mikita Badziakouski, a four-time Triton champion. Surviving a three-handed showdown against these seasoned opponents, Tang emerged victorious. Reflecting on his achievement, he remarked, “This is my seventh stop, it took me a while to get one under my belt. I got it in Vietnam, but that was a small field, smaller buy-in. This is the main event, against these two, three-way. It was a very tough final table.”

In addition to the prestigious title and substantial prize money, Tang earned 510 Card Player Player of the Year points, further solidifying his position as a top player. With four titles and five final-table finishes in the year, he has amassed a total of 1,854 points and over $1.9 million in earnings, currently ranking 59th in the 2023 POY standings presented by Global Poker.

The intense competition of the event began with 17 players at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel & Spa. Jason Koon held the chip lead at the start, while Tang found himself in the eighth chip position. Unfortunately, Michael Watson fell short of securing his ninth final-table finish of 2023, encountering Tang’s pocket aces with his pocket kings. Despite both players hitting sets by the turn, luck was not on Watson’s side, resulting in his elimination.

A pivotal moment in the tournament arose with a three-way all-in confrontation. Kiat Lee, the shortest stack, held A-9 suited, while Sam Greenwood possessed pocket kings. Tang held A-Q and ultimately triumphed with a river card that improved his hand to aces and queens, securing the double elimination. Lee earned $154,000 for sixth place, while Greenwood took home $198,000 as the fifth-place finisher. Greenwood’s impressive performance throughout the year includes seven final-table finishes, two titles, and over $6.2 million in POY earnings, positioning him in 16th place in the current POY standings.

Richard Yong, fresh off a victory in the $25,000 short deck event, finished in fourth place. Yong’s A-6 suited fell short against Koon’s A-Q when Koon flopped top two pair. With no favorable turn card, Yong exited the tournament with $253,000, raising his career earnings to over $16.4 million.

The stage was set for the climactic three-way showdown between Tang, Badziakouski, and Koon. The trio engaged in a fierce battle that lasted nearly an hour and a half. Koon’s elimination came when his A-Q clashed with Tang’s A-K. Despite a paired ten-high board, neither player improved their hand, resulting in Koon’s departure in third place ($330,000).

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded in this event:

PlacePlayerEarningsPOY Points
1Danny Tang$750,000510
2Mikita Badziakouski$515,000425
3Jason Koon$330,000340
4Richard Yong$253,000255
5Sam Greenwood$198,000213
6Kiat Lee$154,000170

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