Jason Koon has become a force on the professional poker circuit, and his dominance in the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series has earned him a reputation as one of the best players in the world.
Now Koon has not only won a record seven Triton events and racked up 33 cashes — he has also won the Ivan Leow Player of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed upon Triton Poker Series competitors.
Head and shoulders above the competition
When Triton announced the award on Twitter, they mentioned that "it was an extremely close call for the contenders" but that the run Koon went on in North Cyprus "sealed the deal."
While Triton's diplomatic announcement alleging a close race is admirable, most poker players and fans know that Koon had this award in the bag all along. He already had the most wins ever on the Triton circuit. But we understand completely why they chose his May 12 win at Cyprus as the event that pushed him over the top of contention.
That win didn't just net Koon a $2.4 million prize — it also bolstered his record to six career Triton wins, two more than Mikita Badzakiakouski in second place. The West Virginia native was quickly earning himself the distinction of undisputed Triton GOAT.
But he wasn't done with the North Cyprus dub — he also pulled down a victory 10 days later at Triton's $100,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em main event. The total counts after that W: a record seven wins in the series, and an incredible $21.8 million in total Triton prize money. He trails only Bryn Kenney ($30.6 mil) for most total Triton earnings of all time.
A dream come true
“This is a dream come true for me," Koon told Triton reporter Ali Nejad after that win. "When I first started playing these, it was a dream to even be in them. I don’t know why I’ve gotten to run so good in these big spots, but I definitely don’t take it for granted. I feel blessed, and it’s something I’ll never forget."
Koon's genuine and humble nature makes him a poker player everyone can root for — even his opponents. In a sport previously known for trash talking and fierce rivalries in past generations, Koon consistently goes about his business with respect for the game, the series, and his competitors.
Most people would develop an ego. With three more victories than the next-best Triton champion and lifetime tournament earnings of nearly $47 million — good for fifth place on poker's all-time money list — nobody could blame him if he let out an occasional brag here and there.
But perhaps Koon is too focused on rising to first place on that all-time list to brag or boast along the way. The 37-year-old never seems satisfied — he clearly has his sights set on more career success, a vision that the world of poker is lucky to witness along the way.
About the Ivan Leow Player of the Year award
Triton Poker officially announced in March that its annual award honoring the top player in the series would be named after famed poker player and Triton co-founder Ivan Leow. One of the most successful Triton players ever, Leow passed unexpectedly in September 2022. His name now adorns the Player of the Year trophy, which the winner takes home along with $200,000 in cash.
CEO of Triton Poker Andy Wong called the naming of the award "a chance for us to recognize the immense contribution Ivan made to the poker community, and to express our profound admiration for the way he has inspired us all."
More about Koon, the humble GOAT and a beautiful poker mind
Earlier this year, Sporting News Australia sat down with Koon to discuss his illustrious professional poker career, his past as an athlete, and his strict nutritional regimen. He also spoke in detail about the state of poker, as well as the traits possessed by the best and most consistent players in the world. T
Koon elaborately detailed how his athleticism helped open up opportunities for him — and what his past lessons in and around track and field taught him about himself both as a person and a poker player.
He also opened up about the psychological components of poker, and how having a scientific and mathematical brain can only help so much in live poker. And he clearly believes that these elements of the game will continue to help high-stakes live tournaments thrive despite the ever-rising popularity of online games.
"That's the beauty of poker," Koon explained candidly. "It's this giant, beautiful collage of tons of different elements that can create a winning, monstrous poker player. It's a beautiful game because there's still several different ways to carve out a win."
Among many other subjects, Koon also talked about his five favorite athletes, his friendship with Warriors star Draymond Green, and the poker pros he respects the most. Check out this all-encompassing interview, a brief dive into a beautiful poker mind, below.