Triton Jeju: Vogelsang Dominates Main Event, Watson Claims Fifth Title, Ketola Continues Million-Dollar Heads-Up Duels

Vogelsang Crowned Main Event Champion
 

German pro Christoph Vogelsang solidified his reputation as one of the most formidable opponents in the high roller scene by converting his chipleader position in the Main Event into a triumphant win. The top finisher out of 228 entries received a prize of over $4.5 million from the $22.8 million prizepool. After a heads-up deal with runner-up Samuel Mullur, Vogelsang took home nearly $4.1 million and an exclusive Jacob & Co watch, awarded only to Main Event winners.

The German player's Triton title count doubled with this win, following his 2023 triumph in the $100K NLHE event in Monte Carlo. Vogelsang expressed the special significance of this victory for him. "This title is special because it's the Main Event — the most prestigious tournament of Triton. This series is my favorite place to play poker; I know the players and staff here, so I'm thrilled to have won," Vogelsang shared right after his victory. 

The journey to the title was not an easy one — during the final table, he faced dangerous foes like Aleks Ponakovs and Ben Heath, but was able to make the right decisions at critical moments. One of the most important was when he held off a major bluff from Ponakovs, gaining a massive chip lead that allowed him to play his aggressive game.

The heads-up against Muller, who has been in excellent form in Jeju, was surprisingly brief. Vogelsang entered the duel with a 2:1 chip lead and needed just three hands to become the new Triton Poker Series Main Event champion.

Final Table Results – $100K NLH Main Event

Watson Secures Fifth Title
 

Canadian pro Mike Watson claimed his fifth Triton title after a dramatic heads-up against Stephen Chidwick, producing one of the most memorable finishes of the series with a straight flush on the river to seal Event #10: $125K NLH 7-Handed.

The tournament attracted 69 entries, creating a prizepool of $8,625,000, and the final table featured a star-studded lineup — including Watson, Chidwick, Mikita Badziakouski, Artur Martirosian, Jun Obara, and Kristen Foxen, who became the new female world number one on the all-time money list after finishing third.

Watson, who had to use a last-minute re-entry, later dominated the table and took away more than $2.1 million following a heads-up deal.

"It's amazing to win another title and set a new career high," said Watson after his triumph. "Given how much I've been playing these big buy-ins, it's a bit disappointing it took so long to surpass it."

The decisive hand ended with a Hollywood-style finish when Watson, with Q d 9 d on the small blind, merely called, and Chidwick checked with J s 7 d. The flop came T d J d 2 s, Chidwick hit top pair and called Watson's bet. The turn 6 s changed nothing, but the river landed a K d, completing Watson's straight flush. Chidwick made a high bet, and Watson responded with an all-in. The British player, after much deliberation, called, only to see the combination that ended the tournament in grand style.

Final Table Results – $125K NLH 7-Handed

Ketola and the Million-Dollar Heads-Up Saga
 

Finnish player Ossi "Monarch" Ketola is putting on a show during the Jeju festival like never before seen in high rollers. Alongside other elite names, he's engaged in multiple million-dollar heads-up matches, which have quickly become the top conversation outside of the official tournaments.

Just days ago, Ketola made history by winning a record $10,990,000 pot in a duel with Alex Foxen— the first time ever a live stream showcased a hand for an eight-figure sum. 

After challenges from Wiktor “Limitless” Malinowski and Alex Foxen, more challengers followed. First was fellow countryman Elias Talvitie, who faced Ketola in two heads-up matches for an incredible $6 million each, but Talvitie lost both, ending with a net of -$6,000,000.

The next day, Kayhan Mokri stepped in, facing Ketola in three heads-up matches in a single evening. The first two, for $4 million each, were both won by the Norwegian pro. Ketola attempted to even the score by doubling the stakes in the next game. This time, luck favored the Finn, leaving both players at par for the evening. 

As if that wasn't enough, the next day, Ketola and Mokri repeated their bout, this time for $10 million. The decision came unexpectedly fast with a classic coin flip between Ketola's Q c Q s and Mokri's A d K h. The Finnish player went all-in, and a nearly $8 million pot went to Mokri, concluding the two-day duel with a $5 million profit.

As Triton Poker Series in Jeju moves into its final days, it remains to be seen if the Finnish gambler finds more challengers in these high-stakes million-dollar games.

Source: Triton Poker Series, Triton Poker Plus, X, YouTube