Adrian Mateos Pursues Historic Double at Record Triton Jeju Invitational
The $200,000 Triton Jeju Invitational drew 155 entries and a $31 million prizepool on Day 1, as Mateos aims to become the first two-time champion.
Key Takeaways
- The $200,000 Triton Jeju Invitational drew 155 entries and a $31 million prizepool after Day 1.
- Adrian Mateos leads the professional charge, aiming for back-to-back Triton Invitational titles.
- Jules Dickerson topped the Day 1 chip counts with 1,431,000, ahead of Alejandro Lococo and Winfred Yu.
- Phil Ivey re-entered after losing aces to a set of nines and finished Day 1 with 237,000 chips.
- Registration remains open until Day 2, with 94 players advancing and more expected to join.
Adrian Mateos is positioned to make Triton Poker history following Day 1 of the record-setting $200,000 Triton Jeju Invitational at LES A Casino. With 155 total entries and the prizepool surpassing $31 million, Mateos seeks a consecutive Invitational title—a feat not yet accomplished.
Prizepool Surges as Triton Jeju Invitational Breaks Records
The $200,000 buy-in Triton Invitational, hosted in Asia for the first time, quickly became the largest event in the series’ history. Initial registration brought in 120 players through 60 pairings, split between VIPs and professional players. By the conclusion of ten levels on Day 1, rolling registration increased the field to 155 entries. Organisers at LES A Casino in Jeju kept registration available until the start of Day 2, indicating a further anticipated rise in the prizepool, which already stood at $31 million by the close of play on Saturday.
Notably, Phil Ivey saw early drama, losing his initial stack when Gytis Lazauninkas cracked his aces with a set of nines. Ivey immediately re-entered and finished the day in 77th place with 237,000 chips (40 big blinds).
Top Stacks: Pros and VIPs Share the Lead
The Day 1 leaderboard showed a balance, with the top ten evenly split between VIP participants and seasoned professionals. The UK's Jules Dickerson secured the overnight chip lead with 1,431,000 chips. Argentina's Alejandro Lococo followed with 1,173,000. The list also included Winfred Yu (Hong Kong), Stephen Chidwick (UK), Isaac Haxton (USA), Adrian Mateos (Spain), Musk Thomas (China), Klemens Roiter (Austria), Ethan 'Rampage' Yau (USA), and Tom Fuchs (Germany). All top ten stacks were above 900,000 chips, representing strong deep-field potential ahead of Day 2.
$200K Triton Jeju Invitational Top 10 Stacks
- Jules Dickerson (UK): 1,431,000
- Alejandro Lococo (Argentina): 1,173,000
- Winfred Yu (Hong Kong): 1,118,000
- Stephen Chidwick (UK): 1,076,000
- Isaac Haxton (USA): 1,040,000
- Adrian Mateos (Spain): 1,025,000
- Musk Thomas (China): 1,025,000
- Klemens Roiter (Austria): 1,018,000
- Ethan Yau (USA): 908,000
- Tom Fuchs (Germany): 900,000
Adrian Mateos Chasing Back-to-Back Invitational Titles
Adrian Mateos, representing Spain, finished Day 1 with a stack of 1,025,000 chips, placing him among the leaders. Mateos is aiming for back-to-back Invitational victories, having previously secured the title in Montenegro last May for a career-best $6,370,000. His recorded tournament earnings now total $67,892,885 over 14 years. No player has ever claimed two Triton Invitational victories, positioning Mateos for a potential landmark achievement.
Stephen Chidwick and Isaac Haxton each closed Day 1 with over 170 big blinds, emphasising the event's competitive depth. The chart-topping performances also reflected the strength of the professional contingent.
High Stakes Drama: Standouts and Notable Survivors
Ethan 'Rampage' Yau (USA) joined the lead pack, celebrating his birthday with a top-ten stack. Patrik Antonius, coming off a $10 million loss the prior evening, survived Day 1 and bagged 229,000 chips for a shot at a tournament turnaround. Of the 155 entries, 94 players advanced to Day 2, with further registrations expected before play resumes.
The Triton Jeju Invitational continues to set new benchmarks for live tournament participation and prizepool size—underscoring Asia's integration into high-stakes poker circuits.
Registration and Tournament Format at Triton Jeju
The Triton Invitational utilised a pair-based entry structure with equal representation from VIP and professional sectors. Late registration remains open until Day 2 begins, impacting the final prizepool and player count. The event’s format encourages a mix of recreational participants and elite pros, a hallmark of the Triton Poker series. Tournament action will continue at LES A Casino, with the full Day 1 stream available via official broadcasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many entries did the Triton Jeju Invitational draw on Day 1?
The Triton Jeju Invitational reached 155 total entries by the end of Day 1 as registration remained open, establishing a record for the series.
What is the current prizepool for the $200,000 Triton Jeju Invitational?
The prizepool for the Triton Jeju Invitational stood at $31 million at the close of Day 1, with further growth expected as late registration continues.
Who leads the chip counts after Day 1 of Triton Jeju?
Jules Dickerson holds the chip lead with 1,431,000 chips, followed by Alejandro Lococo and Winfred Yu.
What milestone is Adrian Mateos pursuing at the Triton Jeju Invitational?
Adrian Mateos aims to become the first player to win two Triton Invitational titles, having previously claimed the championship in Montenegro in May for $6,370,000.
Which notable players advanced to Day 2 at Jeju?
Adrian Mateos, Stephen Chidwick, Isaac Haxton, Ethan Yau, and Phil Ivey are among the professionals advancing from Day 1, with 94 players moving forward.
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About the author
Daniel Reyes
Poker Correspondent
Daniel Reyes covers live and online poker — tournament series from the WSOP and EPT down to the daily online grind, room news, promotions, and the industry moves behind them. The reports keep every score, prize pool, and player name exactly as the record shows, and follow the story past the final hand: who qualified, what the payout structure rewarded, and how the field is shifting. For roster changes, software updates, and regulatory knocks on the poker economy, Daniel Reyes is the desk's first read.
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