The $200,000 buy-in Coin Rivet Invitational at Triton Poker Cyprus got underway today and saw Poker Hall of Famer Phil Ivey busting in just the first level of play in a nut flush vs. second nut flush confrontation against Switzerland's Linus Loeliger.
Ivey quickly bought back in for another $200,000 in the invite-only event that pairs top professionals against recreationals. Others battling in the High Roller event include professionals Michael Addamo, Laszlo Bujtas, Stephen Chidwick, Jason Koon, Isaac Haxton, Mikita Badziakouski and Espen Jorstad, as well as recreationals Tony G, Paul Phua and Wai Kin Yong.
Cooler Felts Ivey
The hand took place during Level 1 with blinds of 500/1,000/1,000. The Triton Poker stream picked up the action on the river with Ivey in the hijack with k♦️
Loeliger checked after rivering the nut flush and Ivey fired a bet of 80,000 into the pot of 96,000 with the second nuts.
Concealing his face as he held the stone goods, Loeliger check-jammed with his stack of 294,000 to send Ivey into the tank after starting the hand 300 big blinds deep.
"OK," sighed Ivey as he called with his remaining 189,000.
And with that, one of poker's most accomplished players was the first player eliminated as his Swiss opponent secured the early double.
Ivey, who is after his third Triton title after winning a $75,000 Short Deck event in April, quickly bought back into the invitational for a total investment of $400,000 and he is still alive with 82 of 110 entrants remaining.
Haxton Battles Addamo
There have been plenty of other highlights so far in the unique high-roller event, including a hand where Addamo, who has dominated the high-roller circuit as of late, squared off against Haxton, a veteran high stakes crusher.
The battle between two of poker's best took place with blinds of 1,000/1,500/1,500 with Addamo raising to 3,500 from under the gun with a♥️5♥️. Action folded to Haxton on the button, who three-bet to 14,000 with 6♣️5♣️.
"I don't think Addamo is the type to fold ace-five," said commentator Randy Lew.
Indeed, Addamo did not fold and instead four-bet to 49,000. Haxton called.
The flop came 6♦️7♣️8♣️ to completely smack Haxton, giving him bottom pair, a flush draw and an open-ended straight draw. Addamo checked with his own straight draw and Haxton bet 25,500. The always aggressive Addamo wasn't giving up and check-raised to a small 62,000. Haxton called.
The turn brought the k♦️ to miss both players and Addamo bet 75,000. Haxton responded by raising all in for 184,250 and Addamo gave a defeated smirk before mucking his hand.
Winners so Far
Triton Poker Cyrpus kicked off last with Patrik Antonius taking down Event #1: $25,000 No Limit Hold'em and most recently saw Kahle Burns winning Event #5: $75,000 No Limit Hold'em for $1.7 million.
A full list of winners so far at Triton Poker Cyrpus is available in the table below.
Triton Poker Cyrpus Results
| EVENT | PRIZE POOL | ENTRANTS | WINNER | PRIZE (IN USD) | |
| Event #1: $ 25,000 No Limit Hold'em | $3,275,000 | 131 | Patrik Antonius | $825,000 | |
| Event #2: $ 30,000 No Limit Hold'em | $3,690,000 | 123 | Ben Tollerene | $807,927 | |
| Event #3: $ 50,000 No Limit Hold'em | $5,850,000 | 117 | Pieter Aerts | $1,472,000 | |
| Event #5: $ 75,000 No Limit Hold'em | $6,600,000 | 54 | Kahle Burns | $1,730,000 |
