Poker Hall of Famer Phil Ivey came so close to victory in the 15^th Triton Poker Series event in Jeju as the PokerStake partnered event worked towards its conclusion in the South Korean province. Beaten by Bing Diao at the last, Ivey nevertheless took home over three-quarters of a million dollars amid a dramatic ending to the event, with other stars Stephen Chidwick and Ole Schemion present at the final table too.

Koon and Tang Lose Out This Time

With 84 entries, 41 of those $50,000 buy-ins were re-entries, meaning even a min-cash wouldn’t break some players even in this two-day event that concluded on Monday. A total of 14 players were paid, with Jason Koon surviving with pocket fives on the bubble. The West Virginian snuck into the money places as at the time of his double-up through Stephen Chidwick, Tomas Ribeiro busted at the other table, all-in with top two pair on the flop only to be trumped by Ole Schemion’s top set of kings.

After Koon doubled, he busted, min-cashing for $76,000 in 14^th place, with Dylan Linde (13^th) also winning that amount for lasting one place further up the leaderboard. Exits for Killian Loeffler (12^th for $82,500) and Sam Greenwood (11^th for $92,500) followed before Danny Tang couldn’t make the final table, sliding out in 10^th for $101,250, the first six-figure score of the tournament.

When Japanese player Kosei Ichinose busted in 9^th the final table of eight were formed, with Phil Ivey holding a slim advantage at the top of the chipcounts. With the stacks shortening in terms of big blinds, push or fold became the way of it. Phua doubled up to survive, while Ding Biao doubled into the lead. Nacho Barbero attempted to do the same in order to preserve his chances of scooping two Triton titles on the trip. That attempt was doomed, however, as his stack mostly lost to a straight for Schemion before Biao got the last of it, sending the Argentinian home with $152,500 in eighth place.

Heroes Stumble in Middle Stages

With seven remaining, the middle stages of the final table – where seven finalists in the official history books gathered – saw poker heroes fall by the wayside. Patrik Antonius reached another final table in the $100,000 Triton Poker Series Jeju Main Event, on that occasion finishing fourth. This time, he lost to his old frenemy Phil Ivey, busting in fourth for $200,000.

Chidwick had doubled up Antonius shortly before the Finn’s demise but it was a surprise next as German player Ole Schemion departed for a score of $247,500. Down to just a couple of big blinds, Schemion thought he had the perfect hand to double with pocket aces, but Biao’s double-suited kings proved pivotal and gave him an unassailable flush by fifth street.

The British hero busted next, his unable to overcome Biao’s as the board sunk the moustachioed master Chidwick in fifth place for $317,500. That left just four players, with Biao in the lead in terms of chips as well as momentum.

Ivey Goes Oh So Close

“Phil Ivey is a very good player. There’s always a lot of luck – I got the cards this time.”

Down to four, it was the Malaysian businessman and poker personality Paul Phua who busted next. All-in with a hand drawing to a club flush, Phua’s hand was losing to Phil Ivey’s made two pair with and with those three blocker cards making it hard to find a club, none came on turn or river, leaving Phua to collect $401,000 in fourth place.

Three-handed, Jared Bleznick was short and that didn’t help him make the final two, edging him out for $490,000. Bleznick got it in bad with trips and a worse kicker than Phil Ivey, who would go into the heads-up battle holding the lead. The American had a stack of 10.5 million chips to Biao’s 6.25 million but the 10-time WSOP bracelet winner and Poker Hall of Famer was to be denied.

Biao went on the attack from the off and quickly levelled up the stacks. Taking a slim lead, the Chinese player was ahead when a flop of gave him two pair sevens and fours. Ivey got his chips in with and hit gin on the turn to make a flus, only for Biao to hit the for a full house and take the title.

“Phil Ivey is a very good player – there’s always a lot of luck,” Biao admitted after the closing stages. “I got the cards this time. The more I play, I am getting better and better.”

With signature results like this, Phil Ivey’s conqueror Ding Biao may yet rise further if he keeps winning Triton Poker Series titles for seven-figure payouts. This latest result is a testament to his passion for the PLO format as well as his skill.