The highlight of the upcoming Triton Poker Super High Roller Series trip to Montenegro will be the $200,000 Triton Invitational, a tournament that has become one of the most popular on the poker calendar for players and fans alike.

The prizes will be huge. The trophy comes with enormous prestige. But this is more than just another high-stakes poker tournament. 

The Triton Invitational is a curated experience, where the field is carefully selected to provide a perfect balance of players from across the Triton community. 

At the start of the event, there are two sides to the field. One features official Invitees, who are invited to play by a dedicated Triton selection panel. Each Invitee is paired with a poker professional of their choice, with the pro playing only against other pros as the tournament gets going. 

They play 10 levels in separate parts of the tournament room, before the field merges to reach its winner.

For the past few weeks, many of the game's leading pros have been checking their messages daily, hoping to be picked to play. But there's another frequently asked question associated with this tournament: How do you get to be one of the Invitees?

A CURATED EXPERIENCE

The first Triton Invitational took place in London in 2019 and had an eye-watering £1 million buy-in. Back then, what we now call "Invitees" were more commonly referred to either as "businessmen" or "VIPs", hinting that they were more likely to be found in the boardroom than the poker room. 

But the term "Invitee" is more appropriate, mainly because it tells you all you really need to know. 

In order to become a Triton Invitee, you need to be invited to play by Triton — and through the years, the method of selecting Invitees has been refined and perfected by everyone associated with the process.

Invitees are not chosen based on their celebrity or net worth, but they're certainly not selected at random. It's more important to the Triton selection committee that Invitees reflect the qualities valued by the brand, not least an abiding passion for poker and a commitment to elevating the standing of the game.

Access to the Invitee side of the draw also reflects a player’s poker experience. Triton is keen to protect Invitees from the highly skilled pros who tend to patrol the super high roller tournament scene, at least during the tournament’s early stages. Anybody who clearly uses poker as their principal money-earning endeavour will need to play in the professionals’ side of the draw. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Through many years playing poker across the world, Triton’s passionate founders have met numerous poker players of all backgrounds, abilities and bankrolls. Many have become their friends. 

It follows that a number of established Triton Invitees are long-time poker opponents who are fixtures in the high-stakes cash games that remain a popular backdrop to the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series. These players have been among Triton’s most dedicated supporters since the earliest days of the tour.

Although their bankrolls are usually huge, they tend to be recreational players, who enjoy poker as a way to relax from their other business concerns.

But that's not the only way to receive an invitation.

Poker enthusiasts interested in playing the Triton Invitational can submit an application to Triton's dedicated VIP Relations team. It doesn't matter if a player has ever sat down at a Triton event before. 

The application will request various details about an applicant's background, and the team will seek to verify the information drawing on a wide network of contacts around the world.

"We encourage everyone interested to apply to become Invitee – our team is happy to guide them through the process," says Kate Badurek, Triton VIP Relations Director.

WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION?

Triton has a dedicated selection committee which reviews each application and aims to identify potential players who best reflect the spirit of the Triton Invitational. 

There are numerous considerations, including playing experience, involvement in the broader poker scene, and how a player might enhance the overall Invitational experience. 

It’s not about prestige for prestige’s sake. The top priority is creating the best possible experience for Invitees – curating a field that is balanced, competitive and memorable for all participants.

In some cases, Triton will consult with a small group of players, including some pros, to gain a broader insight into a potential player's suitability for the game. This is done via a confidential conversation, allowing the committee to get an honest overview of an applicant's merit.

While Invitees may often be well-known individuals in their chosen industries, not all are high-profile businesspeople or VIPs. In some cases, Triton has welcomed low-stakes professionals who, after careful evaluation, were approved to join the Invitee side of the field.

And while some applications may be declined, they are not discarded. Triton will often revisit them for future events.

"We understand that the selection process may not always seem to be fully transparent from the outside, but decisions are always rooted in what will create the most balanced field and the most meaningful experience for all players," says Badurek.

A SUCCESSFUL PROCESS

The success of previous Triton Invitationals clearly indicates the process is working. 

After Aaron Zang downed Bryn Kenney heads-up in London, in what remains Triton's richest event to date, further invitationals held in Cyprus, Monte Carlo, London (again) and the Bahamas have been similarly spectacular.

Alejandro Lococo, Sam Grafton, Dan Smith, Patrik Antonius and Kenney have added Invitational triumphs to their long list of poker accolades. And pairings are being confirmed daily for the next iteration in Montenegro, which will run from May 19-21, 2025.

Check the dedicated Triton Invitational page for latest updates. 

WATCH IT LIVE

The Triton Invitational will be streamed in full cinematic detail on Triton Poker Plus, and our official YouTube and Twitch channels, with expert commentary, and full access to one of the most exclusive poker events in the world.

📍 May 19–21, 2025

 🎥 Live from Maestral Resort & Casino, Montenegro