Though jaw-dropping events abound at the Triton Poker Series in Jeju, South Korea, the 2025 $15,000 No-Limit Hold’em event produced a hand that astounded even seasoned players. Folding pocket kings preflop—a move that preserved his tournament life and solidified his name in poker history—Chinese player Xu Wang, a relative unknown in high-stakes poker circles, gave a masterclass in discipline and intuition.
The Hand That Went Against Reason In Triton Poker Series in Jeju
Opening with a raise to 8,500 from under the gun, Wang set blinds at 2,000/4,000 with a 4,000 big blind ante. Espen Jorstad, the 2022 WSOP Main Event champion, made a three-bet to 29,000 from the button, prompting Wang to respond with a four-bet to 100,000 before Jorstad shoved all-in. With 192,000 chips remaining, Wang faced a crucial decision: rely on his intuition or forfeit more than half of his stack.
Skeptical observers were Ali Nejad and Randy Lew. “If this man folds pocket kings, I’m diving right into the ocean,” Nejad exclaimed. Lew said, “You just cannot fold this, right?” But after a moment, Wang threw his kings carelessly into the muck—face up—showing a read so exact it astonished Jorstad. Reluctantly showing his pocket aces, the Norwegian confirmed Wang’s remarkable fold.
Why Is A Poker Anomaly Folding Kings?
The second-strongest starting hand in Texas Hold’em is pocket kings; folding them preflop almost results in heresy. Kings statistically follow only aces, which rule with an 81% equity advantage. Still, Wang’s choice was not haphazard; it sprang from a sophisticated awareness of his opponent’s inclinations. Known for a tight-aggressive approach, Jorstad, a Triton London winner with about $19 million in earnings, is his rapid all-in return, which indicates extreme power, perhaps limiting his range to aces or kings. Wang displayed next-level situational awareness when he could detect the former in seconds.
Contextual History: When Legends Fold The Unfoldable
Wang’s laydown links a unique pantheon of famous folds. Two-time WPT champion Jonathan Little folded kings preflop at a WPT event in 2019, later saying, “If you’re folding K-K, you’re folding everything… but occasionally it makes sense.” Even more renowned is the 2006 WSOP Main Event fold of René Angélil. After a three-bet, the Canadian music entrepreneur, husband of Celine Dion, mucked king’s face-up only for his opponent to expose aces—a move that rendered his table dumbfounded.
Professional Views: When Should You Trust Your Gut?
“When a play makes sense, don’t be afraid to make it,” Jonathan Little says here. While folding kings preflop is practically unimaginable for beginners, professional players understand that context rules more than pure hand strength. Tournament stage, stack sizes, and opponent behavior can all help to turn a “never fold” situation into a disciplined escape.
In Essence: The Skill Of Letting Go
Xu Wang’s fold is evidence of the changing meta of poker, in which adaptation and instinct usually beat strict strategy. While most players hang on kings like a lifeline, Wang’s bravery to let go—amid high-stakes pressure—showcases the subtle ingenuity distinguishing outstanding from average players. As Triton Poker Series in Jeju showed, sometimes the cards you forcefully discard are the most effective action in poker, not the chips you advance.
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