Young Poker Star Wins First Triton Title & $2.5 Million With Parents on Rail

• Key takeaway one: Alex Kulev clinches his first Triton Poker High Roller Series title, pocketing $2.566 million in Budva, Montenegro.
• Key takeaway two: The event drew 102 participants, creating a substantial $10.2 million prize pool.
• Key takeaway three: Dramatic moments highlighted the series, including a pivotal hand that saw Mike Watson eliminated on the bubble.

The Triton Poker High Roller Series, held at the luxurious Maestral Resort & Casino in Budva, Montenegro, has been the talk of the poker world. With a series of high-stakes tournaments attracting the global elite, the spotlight was on Event #8 – the $100,000 8-Handed game, which saw a staggering 102 runners vie for a slice of the $10.2 million prize pool.

At the heart of this poker spectacle was Alex Kulev, a rising star in the high-stakes arena, who outlasted a field of seasoned pros to claim his first Triton trophy and a life-changing $2,566,000. The final showdown was against Thomas Santerne, another young talent making waves on the circuit. Meanwhile, Adrian Mateos, not to be outdone, secured his second Triton title in Event #7, taking home $1,761,000.

The tournament was rife with nail-biting moments, notably when chip leader Santerne and Mike Watson clashed, leaving Watson to exit dramatically on the bubble. As the tournament progressed, notable names fell short of the final table, including Seth Davies, Nacho Barbero, and Sean Winter, setting the stage for an intense finale.

Bryn Kenney's departure marked the beginning of the final table eliminations, followed by Aleksejs Poankovs and Dylan Linde, among others, paving the way for the climactic heads-up battle between Kulev and Santerne. With support from his parents who had flown in to witness their son's triumph, Kulev emerged victorious, an achievement he described as overwhelming and incredibly special.

Kulev's victory wasn't the only highlight of the Triton series. Adrian Mateos, another 29-year-old poker phenomenon, also left his mark by winning Event #8, defeating Justin Saliba for his second Triton title and a $1,761,000 payday. The event saw big names like Patrik Antonius, Phil Ivey, and Mario Mosbock cashing in, further adding to the series' allure.

With more action to come, including the eagerly anticipated $132,500 buy-in NLHE Main Event, the Triton Poker High Roller Series continues to captivate the poker world. Fans and enthusiasts can catch up on all the thrilling final table action on Triton's YouTube channel, ensuring they don't miss a moment of this high-stakes drama.