The Best Poker Players Without a Triton Title (For Now!)

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The Triton Poker Series stands as the ultimate proving ground for poker’s elite, where the world’s best battle not only for seven-figure prizes but also for the prestige of high-roller supremacy. While the spotlight often shines on those who hoist the coveted trophies, some of the most accomplished Triton regulars remain in pursuit of their breakthrough win. Whether it’s a string of near-misses or the fickle hand of variance, these players are among the best to never claim a Triton title—yet.

1. Aleksejs Ponakovs boasts $14.2 million in Triton earnings, ranking 16th on the all-time money list. He came agonizingly close to victory at the 2024 Triton Monte-Carlo $50K, finishing as the runner-up. His biggest Triton cash of $2.54 million came at the 2024 Triton London $250K.

2. Ben Heath has twice been a runner-up, with his biggest payday coming at the 2024 Triton Million, where he banked a staggering $8.16 million for second place. With $14.1 million in Triton earnings, a title seems inevitable for this high-stakes crusher.

3. Isaac Haxton might be the best player in the world without a Triton trophy. He’s finished second six times and ranks 19th in all-time Triton earnings at $13.1 million. A model of consistency, Haxton is always deep in these events, and a Triton title feels imminent.

4. Wai Leong Chan, a high-stakes regular for years, has twice finished as the Triton runner-up. His best score of over $3.25 million came at the 2018 Triton Jeju 2M HKD event, and he has amassed $11.1 million in Triton earnings.

5. Wai Kiat Lee has finished second five times, making him one of the unluckiest players searching for a win. Despite consistently posting deep runs, including a $1.03 million cash at the 2023 Triton Cyprus $200K, a Triton title has eluded him thus far, with $9.2 million in earnings.

6. Seth Davies has yet to reach a Triton final heads-up battle but has been the king of third-place finishes, doing so four times. His biggest Triton score of $815K came at the 2023 Triton Cyprus $75K, contributing to his $8.1 million in earnings on the tour.

7. Spain’s Sergio Aido has three runner-up finishes but no trophy, despite being one of the most respected tournament players in the world. He’s capable of a breakthrough, as proven by his $1.35 million score at the 2024 Triton Jeju $50K, with $6.5 million in total Triton earnings.

8. Online legend Joao Vieira nearly won the 2023 Triton Paradise $100K Main Event, finishing second for $2.59 million, accounting for nearly 70% of his $3.8 million in Triton earnings.

9. Juan Pardo has come painfully close to a title, with his best finish being second place at the 2023 Triton Monte-Carlo $30K. He also has a near-million-dollar score from Triton London, totaling $2.8 million in Triton earnings.

10. Ren Lin, a high-energy presence at the table, has made waves with a second-place finish in the 2024 Triton Jeju $25K Short Deck event. While he hasn’t closed one out yet, his willingness to battle against the best keeps him in the hunt, with $2.8 million in Triton earnings.

11. Poker legend Erik Seidel has been at the top for decades, yet his Triton resume remains title-free. He’s finished second twice and earned over $2.2 million on the tour, but a trophy would be the ultimate addition to his legendary career.

12. David Coleman, the 20124 GPI Player of the Year, hasn’t played as many Triton events as some others on this list, but when he does, he makes them count. His biggest score was a second-place finish at the 2024 Triton Jeju $50K Bounty for $942,900, contributing to his $1.9 million in Triton earnings.