![]() ![]() One of the core challenges we had was determining the status of borderline cases of applicants for the non-pros. It was also a unanimous decision to make the wearing of a suit and tie mandatory for the final table. So, I suggested we could segregate the pros from the non-pros on Day 1, and also place severe restrictions on players using clothing to hide the neck and face. The non-pros needed to feel as comfortable and interested as possible. One area I was sure we could improve was the format for the non-pros. We dissected previous big buy-in events and noted what had worked well, and picked out areas we felt we could improve. “We began sending invites to non-pros, and as time went on, we believed that we could get 30-players. ![]() A rough headcount threw up 22 players, and Triton Million London was born.” The Format “Andrew named a few American-based pros and non-pros he felt confident would play, and I did the same with the Asian players. “I called the group together, and this time invited Andrew Robl, and I walked them through the idea of the invitation format with the field split 50/50 between pros and non-pros. “I woke up the next morning, and knew that we had to try something different,” said Phua. At this point, the group felt that the event should be open to all players, but there was something about this decision that kept me awake that night.”Ĭreating the biggest buy-in poker tournament the world has ever seen needs input from the players, and when it comes to high stakes action, there is nobody more experienced than Andrew Robl. Choosing London also meant the creation of the biggest buy-in event ever – a £1,050,000 buy-in, with £50,000 from each buy-in donated to charity. I also know from playing with them that the American high rollers love London. ![]() “It was important to make the venue accessible from all parts of the world, and many Asian High Rollers have homes and children based in the UK. It’s a world-class environment, with an incredible infrastructure. The group considered Montenegro and Manila, but I was always insistent that London would be the ideal venue. “We knew that it was important to at least match the previous buy-ins of the One Drop events, so we quickly agreed that the buy-in would be $1m,” said Phua. I knew we were on the verge of creating something special.” Triton Million London: The BirthĮight months pass before the two Yongs, and Phua meet at the Maestral Resort and Casino in Montenegro during the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series. “We decided to let the ideas stew, but the excitement was palpable. “At this time we had a concept, but no more,” says Triton co-founder, Paul Phua. The trio next meets in Jeju, 2018, during the Triton Poker Series, and discuss buy-ins, structure, location and potential beneficiaries. Yong nods his head, and the germination process begins. The Triton owners ask Yong if he thinks it’s feasible to run a big charity event, similar to the One Drop. Over dinner, the conversation inevitably turns to poker. A collection of the finest components of the high roller stratum are in town to compete in a €25,500 High Roller and two €100,000 Super High Rollers.Īmongst them are Triton Poker’s co-founders Richard Yong and Paul Phua, and Dusk till Dawn (DTD) Poker and Casino owner, Rob Yong. October 2018, and Leon Tsoukernik and his team at the King’s Resort in Rozvadov are hosting the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE). One wonders if that’s how the Triton Million concept began. Warren Buffet once said, “If you’re the luckiest 1% of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99%.” ![]() Luck and skill are the Yin and Yang of poker, and here sits Shakerchi confirming that the Yin runs straight through the heart of the highest echelons of the game – the 1%ers. “Life is a lot like poker,” says Shakerchi, “You can prepare, train and upskill, but ultimately luck is going to be the predominant factor in your success.” A red WSOP hoodie drowns his thin frame spectacles sit snugly on his beak, and he wears a playful yet pensive look on his face.Ī member of the production team claps, and beneath the incessant cricket-like riffle of thousands of poker chips, Shakerchi answers a question on how he has been so successful in life? ‘Raidalot,’ as he’s known in online poker circles, sits in a chair facing the camera. He’s here to do some promotional work for Triton Million London: A Helping Hand For Charity. Talal Shakerchi, CEO of Meditor Capital Management, and serious poker aficionado arrives at the King’s Lounge, in the Pavilion at the Rio during the 50th Anniversary of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). ![]()
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