The sun dipped over the Adriatic as Montenegro’s most prestigious poker room crackled with tension. Inside the glitzy Triton Series setup, 132 of the world’s most elite poker minds gathered for one of the crown jewels of the high-roller calendar—the $200,000 NLH Invitational. With the blinds up to 4,000/8,000/8,000 and play into the deep levels of Day 2, the field has been whittled down to just 86 players, and France’s Thomas Santerne has emerged as the chip leader, sitting comfortably with 1,167,000 chips (146 BBs).
In a tournament that feels more like a private summit of poker royalty than a regular event, the chip counts read like a who’s who of the high-stakes world. This is not just a tournament; it’s where strategy, legacy, and millions collide.
Thomas Santerne Sets the Pace
While many eyes were fixed on poker icons like Phil Ivey, Fedor Holz, and Jason Koon, it wasThomas Santernewho quietly and confidently climbed to the top. With patient aggression and tactical discipline, Santerne ended the day as the only player above the 1.1 million mark. His performance thus far has been nothing short of surgical.
Just behind him sits Leon Sturm of Germany, wielding 1,150,000 (144 BBs) in chips, followed by Aleksa Pavicevic with 1,051,000 (131 BBs)—both well within striking distance.
Top 10 Chip Counts – A Battle of Titans
Here’s a look at the current top 10 as the event heads into its next critical phase:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chips | BBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Santerne | 🇫🇷 France | 1,167,000 | 146 |
| 2 | Leon Sturm | 🇩🇪 Germany | 1,150,000 | 144 |
| 3 | Aleksa Pavicevic | 🇲🇪 Montenegro | 1,051,000 | 131 |
| 4 | Ben Tollerene | 🇺🇸 USA | 987,000 | 123 |
| 5 | Raul Manzanares Lozano | 🇪🇸 Spain | 981,000 | 123 |
| 6 | Ramin Hajiyev | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 926,000 | 116 |
| 7 | Sameh Elamawy | 🇪🇬 Egypt | 902,000 | 113 |
| 8 | Stanley Tang | 🇺🇸 USA | 874,000 | 109 |
| 9 | Suparat Kitpaiboonsin | 🇹🇭 Thailand | 813,000 | 102 |
| 10 | Esti Wang | 🇨🇳 China | 782,000 | 98 |
These players have distanced themselves from the field, but with average stacks hovering around 460,000 (58 BBs), the gap is still recoverable for anyone left in the mix.
Legends Still Lurking in the Field
There’s no shortage of legendary names just outside the top 10. Fedor Holz (760,000), Aleks Ponakovs (753,000), and Sergio Aido (715,000) are all in excellent shape. The presence of Jessica Teusl, Elton Tsang, and Mikita Badziakouski adds even more depth to a field that reads like the final table of a poker hall of fame induction.
American superstars like Chris Brewer, Dan Smith, Phil Ivey, and Bryn Kenney are also very much in contention. Ivey, who has had a strong Triton season so far, is cruising with 487,000 chips (61 BBs).
Indian Star Santhosh Suvarna in the Hunt
Representing poker in India, Santhosh Suvarna holds 450,000 chips (56 BBs)—just below the average but still in very competitive territory. Suvarna has been India’s standout performer in recent Triton stops and continues to carry the tricolor with pride in this elite lineup. His deep runs are inspiring a new wave of high-stakes players back home, contributing to the rapidly growing landscape of poker India.
Familiar Faces & Fierce Competition
A deeper dive into the middle of the leaderboard reveals names like:
- Jason Koon – 345,000 (43 BBs)
- Stephen Chidwick – 366,000 (46 BBs)
- Steve O’Dwyer – 353,000 (44 BBs)
- Sean Winter – 318,000 (40 BBs)
- Linus Loeliger – 406,000 (51 BBs)
Even the lower stacks hold names that are never truly out until the last river card hits. Patrik Antonius (219,000), Alex Foxen (249,000), and Adrian Mateos Diaz (211,000) still have chips—and that means danger for everyone else.
At the bottom of the pile is Jesse Lonis, sitting with just 79,000 (10 BBs). But anyone who’s followed his meteoric rise in 2025 knows that 10 big blinds is more than enough for a comeback story.
The Structure and What’s Next
The tournament is currently at Level 4K/8K/8K, with 86 of the original 132 entrants remaining. The chip average sits at 460K, and the battle ahead promises big swings, bold bluffs, and brilliant calls.
As eliminations continue and the money bubble looms, the action is only going to get wilder. With millions on the line, reputations at stake, and Triton glory up for grabs, no player will be holding back.
Final Thoughts: The Calm Before the Storm
As Day 2 continues, one thing is clear—the $200K NLH Invitational is more than just a tournament. It’s an all-star warzone of strategy and resilience. Whether it’s the silent precision of Santerne, the creative flair of Holz, or the stoic menace of Ivey, this event has all the ingredients of a modern poker classic.
Stay locked in with BetterPokerNews for daily updates from Triton Montenegro, chip counts, live recaps, and deep analysis. The world of high-stakes poker has never looked more electric.
Sources:
Triton Poker official updates, live chip counts from the Montenegro 2025 Invitational
About BetterPokerNews
BetterPokerNews is your go-to destination for global poker news, strategy, and updates. From Triton Super High Roller Series to WSOP and beyond, we bring you in-depth coverage of the biggest names and moments in the poker world—excluding Indian-specific news. Stay informed, stay sharp, and never miss a river with BetterPokerNews.