Anatoly Zlotnikov cemented his status as one of poker’s most dangerous high rollers on Saturday, steamrolling the $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em eight-max final table at the 2026 Triton Super High Roller Series Montenegro presented by CoinPoker. The Russian crusher left Montenegro $715,000 richer and with his name permanently etched on Triton’s wall of champions.
Anatoly Zlotnikov Goes Undefeated in All-In Pots
What made Anatoly Zlotnikov’s victory at Triton Montenegro 2026 particularly remarkable was his flawless record in all-in confrontations. Zlotnikov did not lose a single all-in pot at the final table — a stunning feat in a field loaded with world-class talent.
His most eye-catching elimination came against content creator and bracelet winner Ethan “Rampage” Yau. Yau got his chips in with A♠K♥ against Zlotnikov’s A♣4♣ and flopped a king on a K♣Q♦J♠ board, leaving Zlotnikov drawing thin. The 4♦ turn and 4♥ river delivered back-to-back miracles, knocking Yau out in eighth place ($92,000) and igniting Zlotnikov’s steamroller run.
Zlotnikov Blocks Jason Koon’s Record Chase
One of the tournament’s biggest subplots was Jason Koon’s pursuit of a record-extending 13th Triton title. Anatoly Zlotnikov personally ended that pursuit in a pivotal five-handed hand.
Koon, running as the short stack, flopped top pair with 8♦5♠ and got his chips in with the best of it against Zlotnikov’s A♦J♦. A J♥ on the turn flipped the advantage, and Zlotnikov secured the pot. Koon exited in fifth place, earning $212,500 and pushing his career tournament earnings to $74 million.
The Final Table Rundown
Event 2 of Triton Montenegro 2026 attracted 119 entrants and generated a $2,975,000 prize pool. The final table featured some of poker’s biggest names, including five-time Triton champion Mikita Badziakouski (who now boasts $71.8 million in career earnings), Hannes Jeschka, Yu Zhang, Curtis Knight, and Maher Nouira.
Zlotnikov eliminated the final four players in rapid succession:
- Curtis Knight (4th – $265,000): Zlotnikov’s pocket kings faded Knight’s flopped flush draw with Q♦J♦.
- Yu Zhang (3rd – $321,000): Zlotnikov’s K♣10♣ connected with a king on the flop to beat Zhang’s A♥8♥.
- Maher Nouira (2nd – $486,000): Heads-up, Zlotnikov flopped a pair of nines against Nouira’s pair of fives and held to secure the title.
Full Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anatoly Zlotnikov | $715,000 | 840 |
| 2 | Maher Nouira | $486,000 | 700 |
| 3 | Yu Zhang | $321,000 | 560 |
| 4 | Curtis Knight | $265,000 | 420 |
| 5 | Jason Koon | $212,500 | 350 |
| 6 | Hannes Jeschka | $166,000 | 280 |
| 7 | Mikita Badziakouski | $125,000 | 210 |
| 8 | Ethan Yau | $92,000 | 140 |
Zlotnikov’s Second Triton Title — and a Spot on the Wall
Anatoly Zlotnikov now holds two Triton titles, both in $25,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em events. His first came at Triton Cyprus in 2023. With this Montenegro victory, Zlotnikov earns a permanent banner on Triton’s wall of champions — a distinction he clearly coveted.
“I’m a killer, too. We are all killers,” Zlotnikov said after his win. “This was a tough final table. Everybody knows what they’re doing. Ponakovs, Mikita Badziakouski, true legends. I have this amazing feeling, because I want you guys to put me on the wall.”
The win also earned Zlotnikov 840 Card Player Player of the Year points, his third qualifying result of 2026, placing him 165th on the yearlong POY leaderboard.
