In a spectacular show of skill and composure, American high-stakes poker legend Ben Tollerene added another major title to his resume, conquering the 2025 Triton Poker Montenegro Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) Main Event. The tournament set a new Triton record for the biggest PLO prize pool in the series’ history, and Tollerene’s final payout of $3,217,000 marked one of the largest single-event earnings of his career.
A Career-Defining Win in a Stacked Field
The $100,000 buy-in PLO Main Event drew an elite field of 120 entries, generating a staggering $12 million prize pool at the Maestral Resort & Casino in Budva, Montenegro. Competing against some of the sharpest minds in the game, including poker legends and nosebleed regulars, Tollerene’s path to victory was anything but easy.
Known by his online moniker “Ben86,” Tollerene built his reputation dominating online cash games and transitioning seamlessly to the live tournament circuit in recent years. This win reinforces his status as one of the most feared mixed-game specialists on the planet.
“I haven’t played a ton of live PLO tournaments, but I’ve played so much online. I was just trusting my instincts,” Tollerene said after the victory. “It feels really good.”
Final Table Fireworks
The final table was a pressure cooker of world-class talent. Tollerene navigated through a field that included fierce competitors like Eelis Pärssinen, Laszlo Bujtas, Gavin Cochrane, and Jens Lakemeier.
In the end, Tollerene faced off against Eelis Pärssinen heads-up. Pärssinen, a respected PLO beast in his own right, battled fiercely, but it was Tollerene who ultimately closed out the match. Pärssinen earned $2,280,000 for his runner-up finish.
The final hand saw Tollerene flop a strong hand and correctly call down Pärssinen’s aggression, showcasing his sharp reads and nerves of steel.
Final Table Payouts
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Tollerene | USA | $3,217,000 |
| 2 | Eelis Pärssinen | Finland | $2,280,000 |
| 3 | Gavin Cochrane | UK | $1,520,000 |
| 4 | Laszlo Bujtas | Hungary | $1,160,000 |
| 5 | Jens Lakemeier | Germany | $885,000 |
| 6 | Joni Jouhkimainen | Finland | $665,000 |
| 7 | Andreas Torbergsen | Norway | $505,000 |
| 8 | David Benyamine | France | $390,000 |
Tollerene’s PLO Mastery on Display
This victory isn’t just a trophy—it’s a reminder of Tollerene’s depth of knowledge and dominance in four-card formats. Unlike No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha demands a different level of strategic complexity, and Tollerene’s ability to adapt quickly and exploit small edges paid off big time.
His calculated aggression, balance between nut-peddling and bluffing, and near-perfect timing made it clear why he’s held in such high regard by his peers.
Triton Continues to Break Barriers
This PLO Main Event was the biggest of its kind in Triton history, reaffirming the global growth and high-roller interest in Pot-Limit Omaha. With buy-ins north of $100,000 becoming increasingly common in Triton events, the series continues to draw the attention of both elite professionals and wealthy recreational players.
Budva’s luxury seaside atmosphere, the electric energy of the high-stakes tables, and the elite player list made this event one of the most memorable on the 2025 poker calendar so far.
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