With live tournament earnings of over $23 million, John Juanda is one of the world’s most profitable poker players now after beating Germany’s star player Fedor Holz in heads-up final of the Triton Super High Roller Series HK$1,000,000 Main Event in Macau, which drew 83 entries (57 unique entries with an additional 26 re-entries) and generated a whopping HK$78,086,400 (approx. $10,008,703) prize pool. Juanda earned his largest ever live cash of HK$22,410,400 (approx. $2.87 million) for his victory, while Holz walked away with HK$16,398,000- the 2nd place prize money,
In heads-up, the Indonesian poker pro Juanda had to face none other but Fedor Holz from Germany who collected over $16 million in live tournament earnings last year only, mostly from high roller events. Juanda entered the heads-up with solid chip lead over Holz and managed to clinch the title. It took him four and a half hours to beat his opponent to take down the coveted high roller title.
Juanda quickly extended his chip advantage significantly. However, Holz managed to recover and took his stack equal to his opponent Juanda. Shortly after, he got two quick and massive pots to secure the chip lead, but his triumph was short-lived as Juanda regained momentum and took the lead only three hands later. The Indonesian poker pro never looked back from there and won the title finally.
On the final hand of play, Holz moved all-in pre-flop after a limp from his opponent on the button. Juanda went into the tank for a couple of minutes and eventually called with Ah-5s against Holz’s As-3h. The board was 9c-10h-6s-6c-5h and Juanda took down the title with two pairs of sixes and fives.
Final Table Payouts (HKD):
1. John Juanda – HK$22,410,400
2. Fedor Holz – HK$16,398,000
3. Kahle Burns – HK$10,151,000
4. Adrian Mateos – HK$6,950,000
5. Dietrich Fast – HK$4,607,000
6. Stephen Chidwick – HK$3,436,000
7. Timothy Adams – HK$2,811,000
8. Isaac Haxton – HK$2,421,000