This week’s poker news celebrates both wins and losses. We’ll start off with the big wins before ending on a somber note after the poker community shockingly lost one of their own.
Kenney Moves To Top Spot On All-Time Live Tournament Earnings List
Bryn Kenney is now No. 1 on the all-time live tournament poker money list. The 32-year-old gambling pro vaulted his way past Erik Seidel, Daniel Negreanu and Justin Bonomo after he finished second in the largest buy-in poker tournament in history for $20,606,421. The payout at the London Hilton was the largest single payday ever awarded in a poker tournament.
After taking the entire summer off in anticipation of the Triton Million tournament and its 1,050,000 euro buy-in, Kenney was locked in on the opportunity to score the absolutely massive prize. Kenney, who is a native of New York, made it clear that moving in to No. 1 on the all-time money list was his endgame goal for this year. The fact that he called his shot and then delivered on his word makes his most recent performance that much more impressive.
After raking in a combined $9.2 million with some huge cash prizes at the Aussie Millions, Triton Jeju and Triton Montenegro, Kenney was sitting at No. 4 on that list with a combined $35.1 million in cash earnings. His latest runner-up result pushed him to $55.75 million in earnings, which created a $10 million buffer between him and the former world No. 1 Bonomo for top spot.
Zang Is The Big Winner Of The Largest Buy-In Poker Tournament Ever
While Kenney moved into top spot on the all-time money list, Aaron Zang came out on top of the largest buy-in poker tournament of all-time. Zang survived a field of 54 total entries to win the Triton Million charity invitational no-limit hold’em event, earning an incredible $16,810,979.
Zang was one of 27 recreational players that managed to enter the event and each of those 27 recreational players invited a single poker professional guest to participate in the record-setting event. Zang beat out an impressive final table on his way to the win, including outlasting Kenney in heads-up play for the victory. In addition to the massive cash prizes that the players took home, $2.7 million euros was donated to charity.
Online Poker Legend Richard ‘Nutsinho’ Lyndaker Passes Away After Accidental Overdose
On a sad note, the online poker legend Richard ‘Nutsinho’ Lyndaker has passed away. The well-known high-stakes player was found in his in his San Diego apartment following an accidental overdose.
Reports have indicated that Lyndaker overdosed on the prescribed pain medication that he was using to deal with pain from a recent soccer injury. According to a poster on a poker forum who claimed to be a close friend of Lyndaker’s family, the overdose was confirmed by the coroner’s toxicology report.