A Live Poker Weekend Recap: Big Wins and Bigger Stories from Triton, PokerGO, and Kings of Tallinn

Ramin Hajiyev Climbs From Three Big Blinds to Triton Glory

Triton Poker events are never short on drama, but Ramin Hajiyev’s path to victory in the $30K NLH 8-Handed in Jeju might just take the cake — and it’s barely even March. Starting with just three big blinds at the close of registration, Hajiyev turned that near-bust into a $1,517,000 payday — and his second Triton title.

The 252-entry field ensured the prize pool hit $7.56 million, and with 30-minute levels, the action never slowed down. Big names like Isaac Haxton, Alex Foxen, and Artur Martirosian all fell short of the final table, leaving a mix of familiar faces and a few new challengers to battle it out.

David Peters was the first final table casualty, running his pocket sixes into pocket eights to exit in 9th. Kahle Burns followed after his A Q couldn’t crack Hajiyev’s K 7 . It was a fast-paced affair, with no one able to hold onto chips for long, but Hajiyev made his stack work, winning key pots without needing to gamble too often.

Mao Renji grabbed headlines with some fearless calls and big knockouts, but in the end, it was Hajiyev who controlled the endgame. With three left, he dispatched both Winfred Yu and Renji to lock up the win, securing yet another highlight on his already impressive resume.

Final Table Results – Triton Jeju $30K NLH 8-Handed

Photo Credit: Triton Poker Series

Wolfgang Poker Spins Max Late Reg Into $680K Triton Score

Staying with Triton for just a second longer, let’s look at Event #3 at Triton Jeju — another record-breaking $25K NLH — which ended with a name that might surprise you. Alexander “Wolfgang Poker” Seibt, better known for his YouTube antics than high roller wins, nearly ran the table after max late-registering on a whim. The result? A career-best $680,000 payday and a whole lot of respect from the pros.

With 391 entries generating a massive prize pool, the event drew a who’s who of poker talent, including Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, and Fedor Holz. But when the dust settled, it was Wolfgang sitting at the final table —cautious but confident, laddering spots as big names busted.

Jeremy Ausmus briefly held the lead after a wild misclick saved him from elimination earlier in the day, but Wolfgang’s patience paid off. Folding an ace in one spot, watching others collide, and avoiding unnecessary risk all combined to push him deeper than anyone expected.

From streaming to six-figure scores, Wolfgang’s Jeju adventure might just be the influencer poker story of the year — and again it’s only March.

Wow! ACES vs. KINGS! 😯 It should be all over for Jeremy Ausmus, but a misclick preflop may give him a chance to escape with his life! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/xFIyDeC3dy

— Triton Poker (@tritonpoker) March 1, 2025

Chino Rheem Takes Down PGT Mixed Games 8-Game in Las Vegas

Over in Las Vegas, the PokerGO Studio played host to the PGT Mixed Games festival, where Chino Rheem added yet another trophy to his growing collection. The three-time WPT champ took down the $10,200 8-Game event for $195,500 after agreeing to a heads-up deal with Josh Arieh.

Rheem’s run was part of an overall strong showing this series, including a third-place finish in a previous event for $114,000. The 92-entry tournament featured some of the most decorated mixed game players in the world, with Nick Schulman, David Funkhouser, and Alex Livingston all making the final table.

It’s no secret Rheem thrives under the bright lights, but this latest win shows he’s just as dangerous in the mixed game streets as he is in No Limit Hold’em.

Final Table Results – PGT Mixed Games $10,200 8-Game

Kaspars Butans Rules in Tallinn with Record-Breaking Main Event Win

Over in Europe, or Estonia to be more exact, the Kings of Tallinn Main Event broke records with 1,181 entries, and when all was said and done, Latvia’s Kaspars Butans stood alone at the top. The soft-spoken grinder, who usually shuns the spotlight, walked away with €182,000 and the biggest win of his career.

Butans entered the final day as the chip leader and barely gave up that position, playing a steady, composed game while others swung wildly. The final table saw familiar names like Anton Bergstrom (aka “WhatIfGod”) and 2023 champ Priit Parmasto fall short, leaving Butans to battle Sweden’s Mounir Tajiou for the title.

The heads-up match started with Tajiou holding the lead, but Butans quickly turned the tables after a flush-over-flush cooler left the Swede reeling. One last trap — limping queens and calling off Tajiou’s shove — sealed the deal, giving Butans a clean victory and the Kings of Tallinn crown.

Final Table Results – Kings of Tallinn Main Event