If you want to see what it takes to win at the absolute highest level of mixed-game poker, look no further than what happened at the Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju II. Argentina’s Jose Nacho Barbero has done it again, claiming his fourth Triton title and $646,000 in the $30,000 PLO/NLH Mix, after a dramatic heads-up battle with none other than the goat Phil Ivey.
Let’s break down how Barbero got it done, why this event was a must-watch for any serious Omaha player, and what you can learn from the best in the world.
The Event: $30,000 PLO/NLH Mix at Triton Jeju
This wasn’t your average high roller. The $30k PLO/NLH Mix is a true test of all-around poker skill, alternating between Pot Limit Omaha and No Limit Hold’em every orbit. The format punishes specialists and rewards those who can adapt, think fast, and thrive under pressure.
The event drew 94 entries, building a $2,820,000 prize pool. The top 13 spots paid, with a min-cash of $56,000 and a massive $646,000 up top for the winner.
The Final Table: A Murderer’s Row of Mixed-Game Talent
This final table was a who’s who of mixed-game crushers and high-stakes legends:
Watch the full final day here:
The Road to Victory: Nacho’s Run and Ivey’s Relentless Pressure
Nacho Barbero’s path to the title was anything but easy. The final table was loaded with players who have made their names in both PLO and NLH. Early on, Ben Tollerene and Michael Wang fell in quick succession, followed by Eelis Parssinen—one of the world’s most respected PLO minds.
Igor Yaroshevskyy, Dylan Linde, and Daniel Dvoress all made deep runs, but the real story was the relentless pressure applied by Phil Ivey. Ivey, already a five-time Triton champion, was gunning for a record sixth title and played his usual brand of fearless, creative poker. He put opponents to the test in both formats, mixing aggression with uncanny reads.
But Nacho Barbero was up to the challenge. He found key double-ups, made big folds when it mattered, and—crucially—navigated the PLO rounds with the kind of discipline and aggression that wins titles.
Heads-Up: Nacho vs. Ivey – A Clash of Titans
When the dust settled, it was Barbero and Ivey heads-up for the title. Ivey, the GOAT, was chasing his sixth Triton trophy. Nacho Barbero, already a three-time champion, was looking to join the ultra-elite club of four-time winners.
The heads-up match only took 3 hands. Phil Ivey (1,9 million chips stack) raised from the small blind with A♠️K♦️K♠️T♦️and Nacho Barbero (13,4 million chip stack) called with T♥️7♦️6♣️6♦️.
The flop came 3♥️5♥️4♦️.
Barbero flopped the nuts, he checked OOP, Ivey checked back.
The turn brought the J♦️ and gave Ivey a King high flush draw with the overpair. Barbero bet small, Ivey pushed all in.
The river brought the 5♠️ which sealed Barbero’s victory and crowning him the champion of the $30K PLO/NLH Triton Poker Series Event for a massive $646,000 payday.
Payouts and Final Table Results
Nacho Barbero’s win pushes his career live earnings over $28 million and cements his status as one of the most successful non-US players in high-stakes history.
What We Learned: Mixed-Game Mastery and Takeaways for Omaha Players
- Adaptability is Everything: The PLO/NLH mix punishes one-trick ponies. Nacho Barbero’s ability to shift gears, value bet thin in NLH, and navigate multi-way PLO pots was textbook, and a bit of luck 😉
- PLO is the Action Driver: The biggest and most complex pots at the final table happened during the PLO rounds. If you want to see how the best build pots, protect ranges, and exploit blockers, watch the replay here.
- Ivey’s Relentless Pressure: Even when short, Ivey kept the pressure on, especially in PLO. His willingness to put opponents to the test is a lesson for anyone who wants to move up in stakes.
- Mixed-Game Events Are the Ultimate Test: If you want to be a true high-stakes crusher, you need to be dangerous in more than one format. The best players in the world are all-in on mixed games.
If you want to become the next PLO tournament winner, head over to PLO Mastermind, the best Pot Limit Omaha training site on the market:
Key Takeaways
- Nacho Barbero wins his fourth Triton title, taking home $646,000.
- Phil Ivey finishes runner-up, just missing his sixth Triton trophy.
- The $30k PLO/NLH Mix drew 94 entries and a $2.8M prize pool.
- The final table was stacked with elite players: Dvoress, Linde, Parssinen, Tollerene, Yaroshevskyy, and Wang.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Triton Poker Series is the world’s premier high-stakes tournament circuit, featuring the biggest buy-ins and the best players on the planet.
The game alternates between Pot Limit Omaha and No Limit Hold’em every orbit, testing players’ skills in both formats.
Barbero is a legendary Argentinian pro with over $28M in live earnings.
As a PLO enthusiast with nearly 12 years of experience, I’m passionate about breaking down the complexities of Pot Limit Omaha, helping you sharpen your strategy and grow your bankroll – no matter your current level. I also share exclusive bonus and rakeback deals, along with discounts on poker courses and tools, so you can get an extra edge. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me online, playing PLO cash games and turbo MTTs.
