“I Do Things Differently”: Jesse Lonis on Rising Fast and Staying Humble
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"I knew I'd get here eventually," Jesse Lonis said. He sounded like someone who wins $3.4 million twice a week.
Although in the high-stakes world of 2025, opportunities like that come at least once a month. But not for Lonis. Ten years ago, he was watching the likes of Stephen Chidwick and Fedor Holz battling at poker's top table. Three years ago, he'd morphed into a "breakout star" who was tipped for higher things. Just not quite this soon.
Rapid Ascent to Poker Stardom
"I never knew how quick it would happen," he said. "But if I set my mind to something, I usually achieve it. 90% of the players here worked from the bottom to make it to this point.
"A lot of top guys always thought I was a fish or a while or just lucky"
"Everyone's put in the work. I think I do my work completely differently from everyone else, which I think is starting to pay off."
By any known metric, Lonis is winning, and he's doing it his way. His style is brash and forceful, blending natural aggression with an infectious self-belief, the kind that's taken so many aspiring poker players to dizzying heights.
"A lot of top guys always thought I was a fish or a whale or just lucky," he said. "But now, I'm getting the respect from everybody."
And he is. This latest Triton final table wasn't just tough—it was typical. With killers like Holz and Chidwick, joined by the likes of Ivan Leow Player of the Year leader Artur Martirosian. This wasn't a win gifted by variance or a soft field. It was a fight.
And that's before you mention a certain Alex Foxen, close friend of Lonis, who bubbled the final table in tenth place, something Lonis admits he was happy about.
"I'm always rooting for Alex," he said. "But when we're both deep in something like this, on the break I said to him: 'Man, I can't root for you — you're just too good!'
"He's an animal, obviously, but it was a good thing when he busted. He'd feel the same if it was the other way around."
Changing the Game and Looking Ahead
There's a sense of transition around Lonis. Not just from underdog to champion, but from student of the game to influencer of it.
"I'm [clearly] doing something right," he noted. "I think it's making a lot of people adjust their game to try and do what I'm doing. I've seen players trying to be more aggressive lately. I think I've rubbed off on some of them."
After a near-miss in the $200,000 Triton Invitational, where a huge bluff derailed an otherwise "flawless" run, he quickly reset for the $100,000 Main Event.
"Just clear your mind, trust your plan. It'll pay off," he said.
It did.
And now, he's already looking ahead. The Montenegro trip was only supposed to last a few days. "I booked my flight before Day 3 of the Main," he smiled. "The only way I was changing it was if I made Day 3 of the Main. I miss my kids, but I may play the PLO events since I'm here."
Then it's on to the World Series of Poker, where he'll bring the same hunger and humility, now as the latest Poker Royalty signing
"I'm gonna lock in, just try to play my A game all the time, no matter the buy-in level. That's the most important thing for me. If I can constantly play my best game, which is very tough in poker, the results will come.
"I don't want to take it easy just because I have extra money. Just trying to stay humble, stay grounded and stay focused."
