The Best Poker Players Without a Triton Title (For Now!)
For poker’s elite, the Triton Poker Series is the ultimate proving ground—a stage where the world’s best battle not only for seven-figure prizes but for the prestige of high-roller supremacy.
The spotlight often shines on those who hoist the coveted trophies, but some of the most accomplished Triton regulars are still searching for their breakthrough win. Whether it’s a string of near-misses or simply the fickle hand of variance, these players remain among the best to never claim a Triton title—yet.
As the Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju festival unfolds with record-breaking fields, Jeremy Ausmus (Event #3: $25K NLH) and Anatoly Filatov ($25K WPT Global Slam) are two top contenders who have bagged that elusive victory. However, the below crop of players are still looking to add another chapter to their pursuit of poker greatness.
1. Aleksejs Ponakovs – $14.2M in Triton Earnings
Aleksejs Ponakovs has done just about everything in poker except win a Triton title. With $14.2 million in earnings, he's 16th on Triton’s all-time money list and came agonizingly close to victory at the 2024 Triton Monte-Carlo $50K, where he finished runner-up.
His biggest Triton cash—$2.54 million—came in the 2024 Triton London $250K, proving he can navigate the toughest fields. A title seems inevitable.
2. Ben Heath – $14.1M in Triton Earnings
Twice a runner-up, Ben Heath is another high-stakes crusher who remains just shy of Triton gold.
His biggest payday came at the 2024 Triton Million, where he banked a staggering $8.16 million for second place. With a resume like his, it's a matter of when, not if, Heath bags a Triton win.
3. Isaac Haxton – $13.1M in Triton Earnings
Isaac Haxton might be the best player in the world without a Triton trophy. He’s finished second six times and ranks 19th in all-time Triton earnings.
A model of consistency, Haxton is always deep in these events, and it feels like a Triton title is just around the corner.
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4. Wai Leong Chan – $11.1M in Triton Earnings
Wai Leong Chan has been a high-stakes regular for years and has twice finished as Triton runner-up.
His best score came back in 2018 at the Triton Jeju 2M HKD event, where he pocketed over $3.25 million. Despite a lower profile than some of his peers, Chan remains one of the most dangerous players in the game.
5. Wai Kiat Lee – $9.2M in Triton Earnings
Wai Kiat Lee has finished second five times, making him one of the unluckiest players searching for a win.
He’s proven he belongs among the elite, consistently posting deep runs.
He's nabbed a seven-figure score on the tour, a $1.03 million cash at the 2023 Triton Cyprus $200K.
6. Seth Davies – $8.1M in Triton Earnings
Unlike some of his peers, Seth Davies has yet to reach a Triton final heads-up battle.
Instead, he's been the king of third-place finishes, doing so four times. His biggest Triton score of $815K came at the 2023 Triton Cyprus $75K.
With his track record of consistency, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take that final step soon.
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7. Sergio Aido – $6.5M in Triton Earnings
Spain’s Sergio Aido has three runner-up finishes but no trophy to show for it. He’s one of the most respected tournament players in the world, and his $1.35 million score at the 2024 Triton Jeju $50K proves he’s capable of a breakthrough.
8. Joao Vieira – $3.8M in Triton Earnings
An online legend, Joao Vieira nearly won the 2023 Triton Paradise $100K Main Event, finishing second for $2.59 million. That result alone accounts for nearly 70% of his Triton earnings, but there’s no doubt he has the skill to get back in contention.
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9. Juan Pardo – $2.8M in Triton Earnings
Juan Pardo is another player who has come painfully close to a title. His best finish was second place at the 2023 Triton Monte-Carlo $30K, and he also has a near-million-dollar score from Triton London. He’s had the deep runs, and sooner or later, one of them will end with a trophy.
10. Ren Lin – $2.8M in Triton Earnings
A high-energy presence at the table, Ren Lin has made waves on the Triton circuit with a second-place finish in the 2024 Triton Jeju $25K Short Deck event. While he hasn’t closed one out yet, his willingness to battle against the best will keep him in the hunt.
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11. Erik Seidel – $2.2M in Triton Earnings
Erik Seidel has been at the top of poker for decades, yet his Triton resume remains title-free. He’s finished second twice and earned over $2.2 million on the tour, but a trophy would be the ultimate addition to his legendary career.
12. David Coleman – $1.9M in Triton Earnings
20124 GPI Player of the Year David Coleman hasn’t played as many Triton events as some of the others on this list, but when he does, he makes them count. His biggest score was a second-place finish at the 2024 Triton Jeju $50K Bounty for $942,900. If he keeps firing, a title could be in his future.
Best Without a Triton Title Statistics
| Name | Cashes | Best Place | Best Score | Triton Earnings | Triton Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksejs Ponakovs | 20 | 2nd (2024 Triton Monte-Carlo $50K) | $2,540,000 (2024 Triton London $250K) | $14,224,840 | 16th |
| Ben Heath | 20 | 2nd (2x) | $8,160,000 (2024 Triton Million) | $14,161,516 | 17th |
| Ike Haxton | 44 | 2nd (6x) | $1,582,000 (2023 Trinton London $125K) | $13,095,978 | 19th |
| Wai Leong Chan | 17 | 2nd (2x) | $3,252,348 (2018 Triton Jeju 2M HKD) | $11,144,580 | 24th |
| Kiat Lee | 28 | 2nd (5x) | $1,030,000 (2023 Triton Cyprus $200K) | $9,236,032 | 35th |
| Seth Davies | 32 | 3rd (4x) | $815,000 (2023 Triton Cyprus $75K) | $8,145,527 | 43rd |
| Sergio Aido | 10 | 2nd (3x) | $1,353,000 (2024 Triton Jeju $50K) | $6,479,290 | 56th |
| Joao Vieira | 9 | 2nd | $2,590,000 (Triton Paradise $100K Main Event)) | $3,821,000 | 87th |
| Juan Pardo | 9 | 2nd (2023 Triton Monte-Carlo $30K) | $970,000 (Triton London $125K Main Event) | $2,825,800 | 105th |
| Ren Lin | 12 | 2nd (2024 Triton Jeju $25K Short Deck) | $611,000 (2024 Triton Jeju $50K) | $2,814,700 | 106th |
| Erik Seidel | 11 | 2nd (2x) | $535,180 (Triton Madrid €30K) | $2,216,615 | 125th |
| David Coleman | 3 | 2nd | $942,900 (2024 Triton Jeju $50K Bounty) | $1,901,900 | 135th |
