Triton Poker Series Jeju 2025: Newcomer Zhao Hongjun Champions Record-Breaking Event #1: $15,000 NLH 8-Handed ($818,000)

The Triton Poker Series roared back into Jeju, South Korea, and it came in HOT. The Landing Casino was buzzing, packed with more players than ever before for the opening event, Event #1: $15,000 NLH 8-Handed. We’re talking a staggering 379 entries (266 unique!), many of them fresh faces to the Triton scene, particularly a strong showing from China. This influx of new blood helped create a jaw-dropping $5,685,000 prize pool.

At the centre of this maelstrom of newcomers was China’s Zhao Hongjun (cover image), a 43-year-old entrepreneur from China. He’s not a full-time poker pro, just a guy who’s enjoyed the game for over a decade, and whose prior tournament cashes were, shall we say, modest. His first recorded cash came in 2017 at a PokerStars Championship event in Macau.

But in Jeju, Zhao Hongjun became a force. He originally came to the island for a golf getaway. Deciding to play a little poker turned into the best decision of his card-playing life. He didn’t just play, he dominated. Zhao held the chip lead at the end of both Day 1 and Day 2, a truly rare accomplishment. He outmanoeuvred the record-breaking field and stared down some serious poker talent to seize his first-ever Triton title and, oh yeah, a life-changing $818,000 payday after striking a heads-up deal.

🔥 What a win! 🔥

In his second-ever Triton appearance, 🇨🇳 Zhao Hongjun has conquered a record-breaking 379-player field to win Event #1 $15K NLH 8-Handed and take home a massive $818,000 💰💰!

Entering heads-up play as a 2:1 underdog, Zhao fought back, seizing control when it… pic.twitter.com/Hb7Is37asI

— Triton Poker (@tritonpoker) February 28, 2025

“I actually came to Jeju Island mainly to play golf and joined the tournament on the side,” Zhao confessed after his win. “My work keeps me quite busy, and although I’ve been playing poker for over a decade, I haven’t participated in many tournaments. I found this event relatively easy, even simpler than some tournaments in China. It was really fun. Moving forward, I’ll continue to compete in the 30K and 50K buy-in events and fully enjoy the experience of these legendary tournaments.”

Tournament Highlights

The series started with a bang – a dazzling opening ceremony featuring a traditional Dancing Lions performance. Triton CEO Andy Wong and co-founders Paul Phua and Richard Yong beamed at the record-breaking numbers. It was obvious that the Triton experience is hitting a chord, especially with the newcomers. Previously, the record was held by Jeju in March 2024, when there were 305 entries for a $25,000 buy-in.

The tournament itself was a pressure cooker. The field shrunk rapidly as players fought for their piece of the enormous prize pool, leaving even some big-name pros in the dust.

Day 2 became a tense race to the money bubble, and the final table and the sheer size of the field forced organizers to add an extra day to the schedule.

The bubble period was fraught with tension, featuring dramatic all-in confrontations. Jonathan Jaffe survived with the help of a toy capybara. But Zewei Xu wasn’t so lucky. He exited in the most agonizing position, his pocket eights falling to Samuel Ju’s aces.

Zhao Hongjun’s Reign

For most of Days 1 and 2, Zhao Hongjun was the man to beat. He commanded a hefty chip lead, but that didn’t mean the road was easy. Players like Paulius Plausinaitis put the pressure on, keeping things interesting. As the field thinned, even Triton Ambassador Jason Koon (10th for $86,000) couldn’t survive the onslaught.

INSERT JASON KOON STOCK IMAGE

The top 63 players made the money, and although fresh faces were making headlines, some familiar names also cashed, including Adrian Mateos (12th for $74,000), Christoph Vogelsang (15th for $65,000), Kahle Burns (25th for $41,000) and Espen Jorstad (27th for $41,000).

Eventually, the massive field was carved down to an unscheduled third day of play.

Final Table Recap

The final table was a mix of styles and experience, but Zhao Hongjun, amazingly, still held the chip lead. The action was fast and furious. Chen Dong was the first to fall, followed by Damir Zhugralin, whose pocket aces were brutally cracked by Zhao’s pocket jacks.

As the field dwindled, Yuzhu Wang gained momentum, setting up a head-to-head battle with Zhao. The two struck a deal, locking in massive payouts but leaving $40,000 on the table to play for.

In the final hand, Zhao Hongjun’s cards and his smart play sealed the deal. He defeated Wang, completing his stunning run from a casual golfer to Triton champion.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Zhao Hongjun – $818,000*
2. Yuzhu Wang – $975,000*
3. Zhen Chen – $497,000
4. Paulius Plausinaitis – $395,000
5. Weiran Pu – $309,000
6. Michael Jozoff – $243,000
7. Nikita Kuznetcov – $182,000
8. Damir Zhugralin – $129,000
9. Chen Dong – $103,000

*denotes heads-up deal

You can watch the Day 1 and 2 feature table action below.

The Rise of the Newcomers

One of the biggest stories of this opening event was the incredible performance of the Triton first-timers. Over 40% of the field was made up of new players, including a significant contingent from China, Taiwan, and Japan, many of whom qualified through regional satellites.

Social media stars and vloggers also jumped into the action, sensing the growing prestige of the Triton Series. Names like Ethan “Rampage” Yau, Alexander “Wolfgang Poker” Seibt, and Frankie Cucchiara made their Triton debuts, bringing a wave of excitement and engaging their huge online followings.

For Triton, this influx of fresh talent is a major win. “We are always keen to develop strong local collaborations with so many passionate poker players across Asia,” stated Triton’s Group Director, Lau Boon Cheng. “We want to encourage grassroots players to sample the Triton experience.”

A Thrilling Start to an 18-Day Extravaganza

This record-shattering opener is just the beginning of an 18-day poker marathon. The Triton Poker Series Jeju is serving up a delicious menu of No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Short Deck events, guaranteeing something for every poker palate.

With Zhao Hongjun’s improbable victory, the flood of new talent, and a record-breaking field to start, the Triton Poker Series Jeju 2025 is already legendary. As the high-stakes action unfolds, it’s clear: the Triton stage is where poker dreams come alive.

Content & Images Courtesy: Triton Poker

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