Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju II Opens in Style
The Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju II kicked off in South Korea with the $25,000 WPT Global Slam, running September 9–23 at Jeju’s Landing Casino & Resort. The opening event drew 199 entries and generated a $7,775,000 prize pool, immediately setting the tone for a high-stakes festival that features buy-ins ranging from $25,000 to $150,000.
American James Mendoza emerged as the champion, securing just his second Triton cash and his career-best score of $1,515,000. The victory marked a defining moment for Mendoza, who outlasted a star-studded field to earn the prestigious title.
Foxen’s Fortune Shifts on Day 3
High-stakes regular Alex Foxen entered the final table as the commanding chip leader after a hot Day 2 in which he cracked pocket kings twice. Seeking his fourth Triton title, Foxen looked poised to dominate.
However, his luck turned quickly. Early in the final, his ace-king ran into the pocket aces of France’s Emilien Pitavy, who had begun as the short stack. Later, with three players left, Foxen’s ace-jack looked strong against Mendoza’s king-six after an ace-high flop. But a seven on the turn opened a straight draw, and a four on the river completed it for Mendoza, sending Foxen out in third for $721,600.
Foxen’s Jeju results so far included only a 137th-place finish in the $3,000 QQPK Genesis for $5,140. While the WPT Global Slam ended in disappointment, Foxen’s $12.7 million in career Triton earnings and reputation as one of the toughest crushers in the high-roller scene ensure he remains a favorite throughout the series.
Xue Song Battles Mendoza Heads-Up
China’s Xue Song advanced to heads-up play after navigating a tough final table. In the last hand, Song’s pocket queens faced Mendoza’s ace-eight. The board delivered an ace on both the flop and river, leaving Song with a runner-up finish worth $962,000 — still a significant career result.
Final Table Highlights
The final nine featured international star power. France’s Emilien Pitavy converted his short-stack grind into a deep run, finishing fourth for $584,000. Russia’s Viacheslav Goryachev claimed fifth for $460,000, while Singapore’s Ho Bao Qiang (7th, $260,000) and China’s Yan Yingyao (6th, $350,000) added strong showings.
Thailand’s Punnat Punsri, fresh off a runner-up finish in the Triton ONE Main Event for $1,205,775 earlier in the week, placed ninth for $155,000.
Notable Names in the Field
Day 2 action featured Bryn Kenney, poker’s all-time money leader, who exited in 10th place for $130,000. Fellow American Michael Wang took 16th after losing a flip with ace-ten against Kenney’s pocket sixes.
The final table was broadcast live with commentary by Randy Lew and Ali Nejad, giving fans worldwide a front-row seat to the drama.
$25,000 WPT Global Slam Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Mendoza | United States | $1,515,000 |
| 2 | Xue Song | China | $962,000 |
| 3 | Alex Foxen | United States | $721,600 |
| 4 | Emilien Pitavy | France | $584,000 |
| 5 | Viacheslav Goryachev | Russia | $460,000 |
| 6 | Yan Yingyao | China | $350,000 |
| 7 | Ho Bao Qiang | Singapore | $260,000 |
| 8 | Dai Ming | China | $190,000 |
| 9 | Punnat Punsri | Thailand | $155,000 |
Looking Ahead
The Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju II is just getting started. With nearly $20 million already generated across the Triton ONE festival and marquee events still to come, Jeju is once again the epicenter of the global high-stakes poker scene.
