The Triton Poker Series concluded its exciting run in Vietnam with a thrilling finish, showcasing the high-octane action of Short Deck poker. After a series of No-Limit Hold’em events, the festival wrapped up with two Short Deck tournaments, a variant of poker that offers a unique twist to the traditional game.
100k Short Deck Main Event Results
The marquee event, the 100k Short Deck Main Event, was a fiercely contested tournament with an impressive prize pool. Aaron Zang from China emerged as the champion, taking home $1,544,000 and his second Triton Poker title. Here are the results from the final table:
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Aaron Zang (China) – $1,544,000
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Michael Zhang (United Kingdom) – $1,115,000
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Kiat Lee (Malaysia) – $710,000
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Phil Chiu (Hong Kong) – $540,000
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Mikita Badziakouski (Belarus) – $416,000
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Paul Phua (Malaysia) – $318,000
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Jason Koon (United States) – $257,000
20k Short Deck Results
The 20k Short Deck event saw Sam Greenwood from Canada capture his second Triton title, claiming $207,000 in the process. Here’s the final table breakdown:
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Sam Greenwood (Canada) – $207,000
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Lun Loon (Malaysia) – $143,000
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Isaac Haxton (United States) – $91,000
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Seth Davies (United States) – $65,800
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Wei Hsiang Yeu (Malaysia) – $53,200
Short Deck Rules: A Quick Overview
If you’re new to Short Deck, also known as 6+ Hold’em, here’s a quick rundown of how the game differs from traditional No-Limit Hold’em:
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Deck: The deck is stripped down to 36 cards, removing the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. This significantly alters the odds and hand rankings.
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Hand Rankings: A flush beats a full house in Short Deck, which is one of the key strategic shifts from traditional poker.
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Ante-Only Format: Instead of blinds, players post antes, and typically the player on the button posts two antes. This setup leads to more frequent action and larger pots.
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Strategy: Due to the deck size and modified hand rankings, Short Deck is a more action-oriented game with more frequent multi-way pots and dynamic equity swings. For instance, a set is slightly favored over a flopped straight, and pocket aces are dealt much more often than in No-Limit Hold’em.
Why You Should Try Short Deck
Sam Greenwood, after his victory in the 20k event, shared his thoughts on the game: “It’s not as solvable as No-Limit because so many hands are multi-ways. It’s a much more social game because there are so many multi-way pots. At first, people might be intimidated, and if you’ve never played before, you’re going to make some really big mistakes. But the good thing about Short Deck is any mistake you make can’t be that bad.”
Greenwood’s words speak to the learning curve of Short Deck, which attracts players who are still mastering its nuances. But with its high-action gameplay and unique strategic elements, it offers great value for players willing to put in the time to study.
Where to Play Short Deck
If you’re interested in playing Short Deck, Triton was the first to host live ante-only Short Deck tournaments, making it the place for high-roller action. Their next stop is Cyprus in May 2024.
In addition, the WSOP has started to embrace Short Deck, offering two buy-ins: $1,500 and $10,000, both of which will be available this summer in Las Vegas.
Conclusion
With the thrilling victories of Aaron Zang and Sam Greenwood, the Triton Poker Series in Vietnam came to an exciting close. As Short Deck continues to grow in popularity, it remains one of the most fun and unpredictable variations of poker. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, Short Deck offers a fresh challenge and a chance to sharpen your poker skills.
