Phil Ivey Loses Three-Way All In for SHR Title to Adrian Mateos, Still Wins Biggest Prize

In a thrilling showdown at the Super High Roller Series Cyprus Event #6: $25,750 No-Limit Hold'em Mystery Bounty, Adrian Mateos clinched the title and a significant lead in the 2024 GPI Player of the Year race. Mateos's victory came with a substantial prize of $162,000 and an additional $165,000 in bounties. However, the spotlight also brightly shone on Phil Ivey, who, despite finishing second, emerged as the tournament's biggest winner financially, pocketing a total of $413,000, largely thanks to his impressive collection of $300,000 in mystery bounties.

Tournament Ends in Three-Way All In

The final table was a gathering of poker's elite, with the tournament attracting 40 entrants. Among those making it to the final moments were Sorel Mizzi, Sam Greenwood, and Seth Davies, who were eliminated in sixth, fifth, and fourth places, respectively. This set the stage for an intense three-handed play between Ivey, Mateos, and Quan Zhou, the winner of Event #2. Despite Ivey holding a significant lead as the three-handed play commenced, Mateos managed to double up, seizing the lead and setting up a dramatic conclusion.

The tournament reached its climax when Zhou pushed his 15-big blind stack with Ax6x. Mateos escalated the situation by going all-in with Ax10x, and Ivey followed suit with Kx4x. The flop momentarily put Ivey ahead with a small pair, but Mateos's flush draw materialized on the turn, securing his victory and concluding the high-stakes event without further suspense.

Mateos and Ivey: Giants of the Game

Mateos's triumph in Cyprus marks his third top-three finish in the series' first six events, propelling his live tournament career earnings to just under $50 million, as per The Hendon Mob. 2024 has already become Mateos's most financially successful year, with over $10 million in cashes to date.

Phil Ivey, a Poker Hall of Famer renowned for his 11 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, also had a standout performance. His strategic play and the acquisition of the two largest mystery bounties underscore his formidable presence in the poker world, positioning him just behind Mateos with over $46 million in career cashes.

The Super High Roller Series, which concludes on August 24, promises more high-stakes action, including the eagerly anticipated $300,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl starting on August 22. As the series continues to unfold, the poker community watches keenly, anticipating further displays of skill, strategy, and tantalizing high-stakes drama.