Daniel Dvoress defeated Xuan Liu heads-up in the $30,000 NLH 8-Handed event at the Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju II, collecting $942,000 and his seventh Triton title.
The result reversed the outcome of the pair’s previous major heads-up encounter. Last May, Liu beat Dvoress in the WPT Global Slam at Triton Montenegro for $860,000, becoming the first woman to win a Triton poker title.
Dvoress controls final table
Dvoress began the final day as the chip leader and remained in front throughout. The Canadian, who has more than $54 million in live tournament earnings, said he had enjoyed an unusually strong run through the key all-in confrontations.
“I think I won every single all in,” Dvoress told PokerNews. “Or something close to that.”
Taiwan’s Candy Lin had a chance to become the second woman to win a Triton title after reaching the final table, but she was eliminated in fourth place by Dvoress. Her pocket nines failed to hold against Dvoress’ suited king-eight after the flop improved his hand.
Dvoress then eliminated Lithuania’s Gytis Lazauninkas to begin heads-up play with a substantial chip advantage. Liu had previously come from behind to beat him, however, giving the final duel an added storyline.
“She really tried to make it a deja vu,” Dvoress said. “She was like, ‘Deja vu. Remember last time you did all the work?’ But yeah, I guess we’re one-one though, so that’s fair.”
Triton names feature at final table
The final table also included American high-stakes player Ben Tollerene, who finished eighth for $118,000, and Stephen Chidwick of Britain. Chidwick placed fifth for $279,000, moving closer to Bryn Kenney on poker’s all-time money list.
Dvoress was already in contention for the Triton Player of the Year award, and the victory strengthened his position in the race.
“The player of the year race is for sure important,” Dvoress said. “It’s obviously a prestigious thing to win. And then it’s also quite a lot of money.”
Dvoress did not have time for a lengthy celebration. He immediately entered the $40,000 Mystery Bounty event as he continued his bid for the Player of the Year title.
Source: PokerNews
