The 2025 Triton Poker Jeju high-stakes tournament festival concluded with an incredible total prize pool of over $148.7 million distributed across 18 events. The final event, a $25,000 short deck turbo tournament, saw Kiat Lee emerge victorious in the early hours of Sunday, March 16.
The Malaysian poker pro triumphed over a competitive field of 31 entries, securing a top prize of $264,000 and his first Triton trident trophy. This win further cements Kiat Lee‘s reputation in the high-stakes poker scene, pushing his career earnings to over $13.8 million, with a remarkable $11.5 million of that total coming from his 33 cashes in Triton Poker events.
After his victory, Kiat Lee expressed his excitement: “It means a lot to me. I always wanted to win a title.” His perseverance and skill finally paid off with this well-earned win.
The Tournament Breakdown
The one-day event boasted a total prize pool of $775,000, with payouts distributed among the top six finishers. The tournament saw several big names battle it out for the title, including poker legends Jason Koon, Phil Ivey, and Isaac Haxton.
Jason Koon, a ten-time Triton champion, narrowly missed out on the money, exiting on the bubble. His pocket tens failed to hold up against Kiat Lee’s A-K, as Lee flopped an ace and maintained his lead.
Phil Ivey, a five-time Triton champion and 11-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, was the first player eliminated in the money. His K-J fell to the A-K suited of Isaac Haxton, landing him a $54,000 payday and boosting his lifetime earnings beyond $48.4 million.
Key Eliminations Leading to Victory
Lun Loon was next to go, finishing in fifth place for $70,000 after his A-K was outmatched by Kiat Lee‘s pocket kings.
Four-handed action saw Rene Van Krevelen exit in fourth place, earning $89,000. His pocket eights failed to hold against Michael Zhang’s K-Q suited, with Zhang completing a full house by the river to secure the knockout.
Isaac Haxton’s tournament run ended in third place when his K♦Q♦ lost to Kiat Lee’s Q♥10♥. The final board delivered a heart flush for Lee, sending Haxton to the rail with a $116,000 payout. This result pushed Haxton’s career earnings to nearly $53.9 million.
Heads-Up Showdown
The final heads-up battle began with Zhang holding a commanding chip lead of 5,500,000 to Kiat Lee’s 3,800,000. However, Lee quickly turned the tide with a crucial hand, making quads against Zhang’s full house. This massive win gave him control of the match, leading to the final all-in confrontation.
Zhang made his last stand with Q♠J♠ against Kiat Lee’s A♦8♣. The board ran out K♣9♠6♥A♣6♠, securing the victory for Lee with aces and sixes. Zhang earned $182,000 as the runner-up. Earlier in the day, he had placed third in the $50,000 short deck event for $326,000, bringing his total earnings for the day to an impressive $508,000.
Kiat Lee’s Moment of Glory
With this triumph, Kiat Lee not only claimed his first Triton trophy but also solidified his standing among poker’s elite. His consistency in high-stakes events has made him a formidable competitor, and this victory marks a significant milestone in his already impressive career.
As the Triton Poker Jeju festival wraps up, Kiat Lee‘s name shines brightly among the tournament’s biggest winners. This win is likely just the beginning of more major successes for the Malaysian poker star, as he continues to make waves in the world of high-stakes poker.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
| 1 | Kiat Lee | $264,000 | 336 |
| 2 | Michael Zhang | $182,000 | 280 |
| 3 | Isaac Haxton | $116,000 | 224 |
| 4 | Rene Van Krevelen | $89,000 | 168 |
| 5 | Lun Loon | $70,000 | 140 |
| 6 | Phil Ivey | $54,000 | 112 |
