Anatoly Zlotnikov Wins Triton Poker SHRS Cyprus Event #7: $25K NLH 8-Handed Turbo; India’s Santhosh Suvarna Makes an Impressive Third FT Finish in the Series

On Monday, May 15, the 2023 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Northern Cyprus unveiled its inaugural $25,000 single-day turbo tournament, Event #7: NLH 8-Handed Turbo. The event found a champion in Russia’s Anatoly Zlotnikov, who rose above an 83-player field (64 unique players) to secure the top spot, walking away with the lion`s share of the $2,075,000 prize pool worth $496,100.

This victory came just under three weeks after Zlotnikov’s triumph at the Sochi Poker Festival Event #38: ₽46,200 PLO. His maiden Triton trophy in the $25K NLH 8-Handed Turbo event marked a career-high, thanks to a heads-up deal with Germany’s Niko Koop, who claimed a runner-up payday of $480,100.

The success of Zlotnikov comes close on the heels of his compatriot Viacheslav Buldygin‘s win in Event #6: $50,000 NLH 7-Handed, contributing to a streak of Russian victories in the series.

While Zlotnikov’s win deserves applause, the spotlight is also on India’s Santhosh Suvarna, whose performance has been nothing short of remarkable. At 43, the former Rockets Poker Room operator has been on fire at the Triton Poker festival in Northern Cyprus. Making his third final table finish in five days, Suvarna secured eighth place in Event #7: $25,000 NLH 8-Handed Turbo, netting a substantial $77,800 (~₹63.95 Lakhs). He has already accumulated a staggering $1,235,300 (~₹10.15 Crores) at the high roller festival.

The Dubai-based Suvarna has been a force to be reckoned with in Cyprus. He won the series-opener Event #1: $25,000 NLH GG Super Millions Live on May 11 for a career-best $700,000 (~₹5.76 Crores). Three days later, he finished fourth in Event #5: $40K NLH 8-Handed, taking home $457,500 (~₹3.76 Crores).

Suvarna has become a regular face at Triton Poker. He first made his mark at the series last year, finishing eighth in the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Cyprus Event #5: $75K NLHE 8–Handed. Since then, Suvarna has marked his presence in three more Triton Poker events, securing the #29 rank (with 1,071 points) in the Triton Poker Player of the Year rankings. With a title and five scores to his name, Suvarna boasts a whopping $2,108,300 (~₹17.33 Crores) in recorded earnings at Triton Poker events.

Survana`s phenomenal run in Cyprus has catapulted him to #3 on India’s All-Time Money List, with total live tournament winnings of $2,218,712 (~₹18.24 Crores). Given his stellar run in the series, it is no surprise that he plans to participate in all remaining tournaments, including the $100K Main Event and the $200K Invitational event, partnering with American poker pro Seth Davies in the latter.

Returning to the $25,000 NLH 8-Handed Turbo, the single-day tournament attracted numerous poker heavyweights, including Fedor Holz and Robert Kuhn.

Following the elimination of Dylan Linde (10th for $51,900), the nine-handed final table was set up.

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Ding Biao — 71 BBs
2. Niko Koop — 68 BBs
3. Paul Phua — 61 BBs
4. Elton Tsang — 39 BBs
5. Barak Wisbrod — 29 BBs
6. Linus Loeliger — 21 BBs
7. Anatoly Zlotnikov — 20 BBs
8. Phil Nagy — 13 BBs
9. Santhosh Suvarna — 9 BBs

Final Table Recap

Elton Tsang entered the final table with a middling stack but was the first to fall. He lost a massive pot with pocket fours to Loeliger’s pocket queens, with Barak Wisbrod cowboys drying out the remainder of his stack.

The eight-handed play persisted for an extended period before India`s only Triton champion, Santhosh Suvarna`s bid for a second title ended prematurely. In a tense three-way all-in showdown, Niko Koop’s pocket eights clashed with Anatoly Zlotnikov’s and Suvarna’s . Despite Suvarna’s homage to Doyle Bruson, he couldn’t withstand Koop’s one-card flush, which sent him to the sidelines, which was not too bad considering how short he was entering the final table.

The tournament saw rapid departures soon after, with Biao Ding (7th), ACR founder Phil Nagy (6th), and Linus Loeliger (5th) falling in quick succession.

Zlotnikov eliminated Barak Wisbrod (4th) and Triton founder Paul Phua (3rd), setting up a thrilling heads-up showdown against Niko Koop.

Zlotnikov and Koop, both making their Triton debut and cashing in for the first time, began the heads-up match nearly evenly matched with 35 and 31 big blinds, respectively. The duo agreed to examine the numbers, securing $480,100 each and leaving an extra $16,000 in play.

The decisive moment arrived swiftly. In the initial hands of heads-up play, Koop moved all-in with pocket tens against Zlotnikov’s . A King on the board sealed Koop’s fate in second place as Zlotnikov took home the Triton trophy.

Complete Payouts (USD)

1. Anatoly Zlotnikov – $496,100*
2. Niko Koop – $480,100*
3. Paul Phua – $265,600
4. Barak Wisbrod – $204,500
5. Linus Loeliger – $161,900
6. Phil Nagy – $126,500
7. Biao Ding – $99,600
8. Santhosh Suvarna – $77,800
9. Elton Tsang – $59,100
10. Dylan Linde – $51,900
11. Damir Zhugralin – $51,900

*denotes a heads-up deal

Content & Images Courtesy: Triton Poker

Images by Joe Giron/Poker Photo Archive

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