button in SafariZlotnikov Denies Rampage in Brutal Runner-Runner Hand to Claim $715K Triton Title
Anatoly Zlotnikov emerged victorious in Event #2: $25,000 NLH 8-Handed at the Triton Poker Montenegro festival, banking $715,000 after navigating a marathon final table that featured some of the biggest names in the game and one of the most dramatic hands of the series so far.
The Russian secured the title from a 119-entry field, defeating Maher Nouira heads-up, but the turning point of the event that had everyone talking came earlier at the final table, in a hand against Ethan "Rampage" Yau that sent shockwaves through the feature table.
Rampage Falls in Cruel Runner-Runner Cooler
Yau found himself in a prime spot to double through Zlotnikov after getting his stack in good with A♠K♥ against A♣4♣.
The flop of K♣Q♦J♠ left Yau in complete control with top pair and Zlotnikov drawing to running cards only. The turn 4♦ gave the Russian a sliver of hope, but he was still down to just two outs heading to the river.
One of them arrived. The 4♥ completed the runner-runner miracle, giving Zlotnikov trips and leaving Rampage on the wrong side of a brutal setup as he exited in eighth place for $92,000.
Mikita Badziakouski was next to fall after committing his short stack soon after the Zlotnikov-Yau clash, locking up seventh place for $125,000.
Hannes Jeschka followed in sixth, with Jason Koon taking fifth for $212,500. Curtis Knight exited in fourth, while Yu Zhang completed the podium in third for $321,000.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anatoly Zlotnikov | $715,000 |
| 2 | Maher Nouira | $486,000 |
| 3 | Yu Zhang | $321,000 |
| 4 | Curtis Knight | $265,000 |
| 5 | Jason Koon | $212,500 |
| 6 | Hannes Jeschka | $166,000 |
| 7 | Mikita Badziakouski | $125,000 |
| 8 | Ethan Yau | $92,000 |
Heads-Up Decides the Title
Zlotnikov entered heads-up play against Nouira with a clear chip advantage, but the match still had swings before the final hand settled things.
The decisive moment came when Nouira moved all in with A♥5♣ and found himself dominated by Zlotnikov’s 10♦9♣ after a tense final exchange.
The board ran out 5♥3♠9♠8♠7♥, giving Nouira top pair but completing a straight for Zlotnikov to close out the tournament.
Nouira collected $486,000 for second place, while Zlotnikov secured a second Triton trophy to add to his $25,000 Turbo NLH success at Triton SHRS Cyprus in 2023 and the $715,000 first-place prize.