Isaac Haxton managed to double up early, but his comeback attempt ended during a Pot-Limit Omaha hand against Schwecht. Haxton got involved with K♥ K♦ Q♦ J♠, but Schwecht’s A♦ 9♥ 5♦ 4♥ found the right runout to send the American star out in seventh place for $78,000.

Artur Martirosian followed in sixth place for $98,000. He was eliminated during a No-Limit Hold’em round when his ace-jack could not overcome Cong Pham’s pocket kings. Pham made the hand even stronger by flopping a set, leaving Martirosian with no realistic path back into the pot.

Zlotnikov Builds Momentum

Ben Tollerene finished fifth after clashing with Anatoly Zlotnikov in a PLO hand. The chips went in on a Q♠ A♦ 3♦ flop, with Tollerene holding 10♣ 10♦ 6♣ 6♦ against Zlotnikov’s Q♦ Q♥ 7♦ 2♥. Zlotnikov had flopped a set, and the diamond turn gave him a flush, leaving Tollerene drawing dead.

Zlotnikov then eliminated Mike Watson in another PLO hand. Watson got his chips in with A♠ A♣ 9♥ 9♠ and was in excellent shape against Zlotnikov’s A♥ 7♦ 2♥ 2♠. However, Zlotnikov hit another deuce to make trips and knock Watson out in fourth place for $164,000.

The Russian continued his run by eliminating Cong Pham in third place. Both players made a spade flush in a PLO hand, but Zlotnikov’s ace-high flush beat Pham’s jack-high flush. Pham collected $217,000 for his podium finish.

Heads-Up Battle Turns Schwecht’s Way

Zlotnikov entered heads-up play with the lead, holding 79 big blinds against Schwecht’s 54 big blinds. However, Schwecht quickly regained control.

The German won several early pots, took back the chip lead, and began applying pressure. Zlotnikov had been running well, but Schwecht remained composed and slowly shifted the momentum back in his favor.

The final hand came in Pot-Limit Omaha and produced a dramatic finish.

Schwecht raised with Q♥ J♦ 9♠ 4♥, while Zlotnikov defended with J♥ 9♥ 8♥ 8♣. The flop came 3♥ Q♦ 8♠, giving Zlotnikov a set of eights. Both players checked.

On the 2♥ turn, Schwecht bet and Zlotnikov raised. Schwecht called, and the river brought the 10♥. Both players made a flush, but Schwecht had the stronger one. The remaining chips went into the middle, and Schwecht’s better flush secured the title.

First Triton Trophy and $465,000

The victory gave Schwecht his first Triton Poker trophy and a $465,000 payday. For Zlotnikov, the runner-up finish was still worth $334,000 after an impressive final-table run.

Schwecht’s win was built on persistence, patience and strong use of a dominant chip stack. After several close calls in previous Triton events, he finally managed to turn a deep run into a championship.

The result marks a major milestone in Schwecht’s high-stakes career and adds his name to the list of Triton Poker champions.