VIP wins the LuxonPay Invitational
More recreationals cashed than pros in the Pro/Am event, with entrepreneur Ramin Hajiyev shipping it for $4 million.
The point of the Pro/Am poker format is to level the playing field by reducing the ratio of pros to amateurs, as well as allowing the recreational players to compete together for a day before being unleashed on the elite players.
It seems to be having the desired effect, as a VIP has won the LuxonPay Invitational. Ramin Hajiyev of Azerbaijan has just taken it down for $4,122,554 after defeating German Pro Tobias Duthweiler heads-up.
The entrepreneur defeated a field of 86 and a final table that included Patrik Antonius, Sean Winter, and Punnat Punsri on his way to the title in the $200,000 buy-in event.
13 players made the money and seven of them were recreational players, once again proving the merit of the format. In this event, a professional player was only able to enter with an invite from a VIP. In the case of Hajiyev, he invited Mikita Badziakouski, who did not cash.
Coverage of the Triton High Roller Series continues today with the $100,000 Main Event from 13:00 CET.
| Rank | Country | Player | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Azerbaijan | Ramin Hajiyev | $4,122,554* |
| 2nd | Germany | Tobias Duthweiler | $3,606,446* |
| 3rd | Finland | Patrik Antonius | $2,100,000 |
| 4th | United States | Sean Winter | $1,640,000 |
| 5th | Thailand | Punnat Punsri | $1,325,000 |
| 6th | Malaysia | Wai Kiat Lee | $1,030,000 |
| 7th | New Zealand | Sosia Jiang | $820,000 |
| 8th | Malaysia | Wai Yong | $636,000 |
| 9th | England | Ben Heath | $481,000 |
*Denotes a heads-up deal.
