A first champion from Cyprus: Christopher Philippou

All the hullaballoo in the tournament room at the Triton Super High Roller Series in Cyprus last night was focused on Day 2 of the Coin Rivet Invitational. It was playing into the money and beyond. But on three, then two and then one table across the room, Triton was naming its newest champion.

The $25,000 Pot Limit Omaha event played out in its entirety in relative silence on Sunday, September 11, and Cyprus-based Christopher Philippou claimed the very first major tournament score of his career — and it was a first-place on the world’s most prestigious tour.

Philippou beat a field of 32 entries, including nine re-entries, to claim at $270,000 prize. The final table gives an indication of the quality of the players defeated: Eric Seidel was knocked out in sixth, Stephen Chidwick made it to fourth and Philippou beat Talal Shakerchi heads-up to claim the prize.

Shakerchi had a healthy chip lead when it was just him and Philippou at the table, but Philippou was able to turn it around and wrap up the win just after 3am local time. His only other documented tournament cash came in an online WSOP event, where he finished 63rd in a $1,500 PLO event in 2020.

Heads up between Talal Shakerchi and Christopher Philippou

This is therefore a breakout success for him, against a small but exceptionally tough field. We hope it won’t be Philippou’s last appearance on the Triton Super High Roller series.