Anatoly Zlotnikov Wins Triton Montenegro Event #2 for $715,000
Russian pro Anatoly Zlotnikov captured Event #2 of the Triton Super High Roller Series (SHRS) Montenegro on May 15, claiming the second Triton title of his career. The $25,000 NLH 8-Handed event at the Maestral Resort & Casino in Budva drew 119 entries, and Zlotnikov closed out heads-up play against Tunisia's Maher Nouira to bank the trophy and a $715,000 first-place prize. Nouira collected $486,000 for the runner-up finish.
Second Trophy in Three Years, Breaking the Silence Since 2023 Cyprus
Zlotnikov captured his first Triton title in 2023 at the SHRS North Cyprus $25K NLH 8-Handed Turbo, but the years since had been defined by steady cashes rather than another breakthrough win. This victory pushes his career trajectory sharply upward, well beyond his previous WSOP-tracked live earnings of roughly $1.62 million. Making the final table was no small accomplishment either. He had to navigate an eight-handed field stacked with Triton regulars, including five-time Triton champion Jason Koon, Mikita Badziakouski, Ethan "Rampage" Yau, Hannes Jeschka, and Curtis Knight.
Rampage's Heartbreak: AK vs A4 Runner-Runner Quads
The hand that everyone was talking about came when American poker vlogger Ethan "Rampage" Yau busted in eighth. Yau called Zlotnikov's all-in with A♠K♥, only to find himself ahead against A♣4♣. The flop landed K♣Q♦J♠ — top pair and total domination for Yau, with Zlotnikov drawing only to running cards. But the turn 4♦ and river 4♥ produced trip fours for the Russian, completing one of the most brutal runner-runners of the series. Yau exited calmly with $92,000 for eighth place, just one double-up short of the lineup he would have needed to make a real run. Triton's official social channels captured the moment with the comment, "When the chips go in, the cards have the final word. This final table is BRUTAL." The hand became a major talking point among Yau's audience for days.
The Final Hand: Nouira's Top Pair vs Zlotnikov's Straight
Zlotnikov entered heads-up play with a clear chip lead, but the match wasn't without its swings. The decisive moment came when Nouira moved all in with A♥5♣ — dominated against Zlotnikov's T♦9♣. The board ran 5♥3♠9♠8♠7♥, giving Nouira top pair on the flop, but Zlotnikov completed a 7-8-9-10 straight on the river to seal the title.
What It Means for the Ivan Leow POY Race
Event #2 also reshapes the picture for the 10th-anniversary "Ivan Leow Player of the Year (POY)" race. Early-season leader Ike Haxton now has another credible threat in the mix, and with a $200,000 bonus and a top-10 payout structure on the line, every new champion this festival matters. Attention now turns to Event #3, the $30K NLH 8-Handed, where Finnish legend Patrik Antonius bagged the chip lead heading into Day 2. The remaining 20-player field also includes five-time Triton champion Danny Tang, Mario Mosböck, Fedor Holz, and Zlotnikov himself — setting up another fierce final-table run.
Triton Montenegro 2026 continues through May 28 with 18 events on the slate, with the festival's two flagship tournaments — the $100K NLH Main Event (starting May 21) and the $100K PLO Main Event (starting May 24) — still ahead as the marquee back-end of the schedule.
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