In a landmark moment for poker, Xuan Liu has etched her name in the history books by becoming the first woman to win a Triton Poker title. Her victory at the 2025 Triton Super High Roller Series in Montenegro not only earned her a prestigious trophy and a massive payday, but also broke one of the most enduring gender barriers in the world of high-stakes poker.
A Night to Remember in Montenegro
The $25,000 GG Super Millions event at the luxurious Maestral Resort and Casino in Budva, Montenegro, was the stage for this unforgettable moment. The tournament drew a massive 172-entry field, generating a prize pool of $4.3 million. Competing against some of the toughest professionals in the game, Xuan Liu remained composed, strategic, and fiercely competitive throughout the event.
When the dust settled, Liu stood alone, taking home a first-place prize of $965,000 and becoming the first woman to claim a Triton Poker Series title—a feat that had never been achieved in the tour’s storied history.
A Career-Defining Victory
Liu’s victory isn’t just symbolic—it’s the largest single cash of her career and brings her total live tournament earnings to over $4 million, according to the Hendon Mob Poker Database. Her win wasn’t a fluke or lucky run; it was a display of world-class poker skill, mental resilience, and unshakable confidence.
She entered the final table with a healthy chip stack and never looked back. With aggressive but calculated play, Liu dismantled a table filled with elite pros, including two-time Triton champion Michael Watson and Triton regular Sam Greenwood.
Her final heads-up opponent, Thailand’s Punnat Punsri, was no pushover—he has millions in live earnings and a Triton title of his own. Yet Liu kept the pressure on, executing a bluff-catch with king-high and navigating the short-stack dynamics masterfully until she sealed the win with ace-jack dominating Punsri’s ace-four.
Breaking Barriers and Shattering Stereotypes
Triton Poker has long been known as one of the most elite series in the world, featuring super high roller events with buy-ins ranging from $25,000 to $1 million. The series has drawn legends of the game like Jason Koon, Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, and Fedor Holz. But what’s been missing is consistent female representation at the final tables—until now.
Liu’s win is a powerful reminder that women belong at the highest levels of poker. She didn’t just show up—she conquered one of the toughest fields in the world. Her win will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of female players to pursue the game at the highest levels.
“It’s an honor to represent women on such a big stage,” Liu said after her win. “I hope this opens doors and encourages more women to play fearlessly.”
A Trailblazing Career
Born in Canada and of Chinese descent, Xuan Liu has been a prominent figure in the poker world for over a decade. She first gained mainstream attention during her deep run in the 2011 EPT Sanremo Main Event, where she finished fourth for €500,000.
Over the years, Liu has been a vocal advocate for diversity in poker and has used her platform to champion gender inclusivity. Her presence in high roller fields has been rare but significant, and this win at Triton cements her legacy as not only a skilled competitor but a history-making icon.
Final Table Payouts – Triton Montenegro $25K GG Super Millions
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Xuan Liu | Canada | $965,000 |
| 2nd | Punnat Punsri | Thailand | $660,000 |
| 3rd | Michael Watson | Canada | $466,000 |
| 4th | Andras Nemeth | Hungary | $370,000 |
| 5th | Sam Greenwood | Canada | $287,000 |
| 6th | Bert Stevens | Belgium | $222,000 |
| 7th | Jason Koon | USA | $170,000 |
| 8th | Henrik Hecklen | Denmark | $130,000 |
| 9th | Aaron Zhang | China | $102,500 |
A Win Beyond the Chips
While the prize money is significant, Xuan Liu’s victory is about more than just the financial windfall. It’s about breaking ceilings, rewriting narratives, and inspiring confidence in every underrepresented group within the poker world.
This victory represents progress. It tells young girls who watch poker streams that they, too, can compete—and win—on the game’s most prestigious stages. It tells the industry that skill has no gender.
As Triton continues to grow and host events around the world, the legacy of Liu’s historic win will undoubtedly encourage broader representation and open the door for more diversity in the game.
Final Thoughts
Xuan Liu’s landmark win at Triton Montenegro isn’t just a story of personal triumph—it’s a pivotal moment in the evolution of poker. Her $965K victory at one of the most elite poker events globally confirms that poker is truly a meritocracy when the right opportunities are given.
She not only walked away with a career-defining title and a seven-figure payday but also carried an entire movement forward.
As poker continues to globalize and diversify, stories like Liu’s will become the new normal—and the game will be better for it.
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Sources
- CardPlayer: Xuan Liu Makes History as First Woman To Win Triton Poker Title
- The Hendon Mob Database
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