button in SafariPhil Ivey First Elimination in $200k Tournament After Aces Cracked
Phil Ivey was the first player eliminated from the record-breaking $200,000 Triton Invitational in Jeju, South Korea, after having his pocket aces cracked in the opening level in a massive 445-big-blind pot.
The five-time Triton champion and poker GOAT has enjoyed a strong run at the Super High Roller Series Jeju II so far, making two final tables and pulling the top $400,000 bounty from the $40K NLH Mystery Bounty. However, his first Invitational bullet came to an early end in the first hour after a terminal encounter with Lithuanian crusher Gytis Lazauninkas.
The monster pot sent Ivey to the rebuy desk, making him the first player to add to the $24 million prize pool already building for Triton's flagship tournament. The event is being held in Asia for the first time as part of the tour's decade-long celebrations, with the Invitees and Pros playing in separate fields on Day 1 before coming together on Day 2.
Check out the hand below:
Ivey Becomes First to Exit $200k Invitational
Gytis Lazauninkas raised to 2,500 from his stack of 295,000. Ivey, on the button with 212,000, three-bet to 10,000 and Lazauninkas called.
The flop was 4♣9♦2♥ to which Lazauninkas checked. Ivey bet 15,000 and again Lazauninkas just made the call. On the 3♦ turn, Lazauninkas was passive again, checking to Ivey, who bet 45,000. Lazauninkas then asked for it all, making a huge raise to 250,000 that would put Ivey all-in for his life in the $200,000 tournament.
Ivey went into the tank for a long time, spending several minutes trying to work out what Lazauninkas had, before eventually making the call. Lazauninkas revealed his 9♥9♣ while Ivey showed A♣A♥ and was well-behind.
Ivey had some outs on the river in the shape of aces and fives, but couldn't find them as the 3♣ completed the board and gave Lazauninkas a full house to send Ivey to the rail. This is the second time Ivey has famously bust the Invitational first-up (at the Triton Super High Roller Series Cyprus, too), and in the very first orbit of the day, no less.
Record-Breaking Field Confirmed for Invitational's Jeju Debut
During Friday's lavish seat draw ceremony, Triton confirmed numbers for Jeju's first Invitational had smashed the 48 pairing record that came in the most recent Triton Invitational in Montenegro in May, with 60 pairs of Invitees and Pros playing out the action at Les A Casino today.
Triton CEO Andy Wong described the numbers as a "sensational achievement," adding: "the Triton Invitational has huge appeal across Triton's player base. The Invitees love it because it gives them the best chance to compete on a level playing field...the pros are similarly keen to play as it introduces them to so many new opponents who play poker purely for fun and the spirit of competition."
You can follow all the action from the Triton Invitational direct from Jeju Shinhwa World by following the Triton live stream, Triton Plus Poker app, or for the first time with live reporting from PokerNews!
