A Historic Triumph: Xuan Liu Becomes First Female Winner on the Triton Poker Tour

In a groundbreaking moment for the world of poker, Xuan Liu has become the first woman ever to win a title at the prestigious Triton Poker series. The Canadian pro made history at the 2025 Triton Poker Montenegro WPT Global Slam, defeating a star-studded field of 155 players to claim her first Triton title and a career-best $860,000 payday.

This historic win not only marks a personal triumph for Liu but also sets a new precedent for women in poker, breaking down barriers in the competitive world of high-stakes tournament play.

The final table finishers in the $25,000 WPT Global Slam, pictured clockwise from top left: Mike Watson, Tom Fuchs, Paulius Plausinaitis, Theodore McQuilkin, Xuan Liu, Kristen Foxen, Zhang Yu, Daniel Dvoress, and David Peters.

A History Was Made!

Despite this being Liu’s debut appearance at a Triton Poker event, the 39-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario proved her mettle by overcoming the competition and snaring her first Triton title. Her victory came as a pleasant surprise, as Liu had only flown to the festival with the intention of playing in a single event. 

“Obviously this is beyond my wildest dreams,” Liu remarked after her victory. “I know I really can’t hang on a day-to-day basis, but this is what the beauty of poker is all about… anybody can get lucky on any given day.”

Though Liu is new to the Triton Poker scene, she is no stranger to high-stakes competition. Her previous career-high score came in 2012, where she earned $600,000 with a fourth-place finish at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event. With this win, Liu’s lifetime earnings now exceed $3.1 million.

The Final Table Breakdown

The final day of play began with five players remaining, and Liu was positioned firmly in the middle of the pack. Two-time Triton champion Daniel Dvoress held the chip lead, but the action was far from decided. It was on this day that Liu began to make her mark.

In the crucial moments of the final table, Liu eliminated poker icon Kristen Foxen in fourth place with a well-timed hand of K♠ J♥ against Foxen’s K♣ 8♣. The majority of the chips went in preflop, and Liu’s hand held steady through the turn and river. Foxen, a seasoned player with nearly $12 million in career earnings, was knocked out, securing $325,000 for her efforts.

The next casualty was David Peters, a four-time bracelet winner, who saw his tournament end when his top pair could not survive against Dvoress’s flush draw. Peters earned $398,000 for his third-place finish, bringing his career total to more than $52 million.

Heads-Up: Dvoress vs. Liu

As heads-up play began, Dvoress held nearly a 4:1 chip lead over Liu. However, the Canadian’s determination shone through as she quickly chipped up. The decisive moment came when Liu shoved with 5♥ 5♦ against Dvoress’s A♣ Q♦, doubling her stack and taking control of the match. Dvoress made one final attempt to battle back with 10-3 suited, but Liu’s 7-6 was the stronger hand, ultimately leading her to victory.

Dvoress finished in second place, securing $579,000, while Liu emerged as the champion, her $860,000 payout representing not only her biggest career score but also a historic achievement.

A New Era for Women in Poker

Liu’s victory marks a significant milestone in the history of poker, as she becomes the first female champion on the Triton Poker tour. Alongside Liu, other women made waves in the event, with Sosia Jiang finishing in 20th place for $46,500, and Kristen Foxen securing fourth place. The representation of women at this elite level further solidifies poker as a sport of opportunity for players of all backgrounds.

Final Table Results

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FAQs

1. What is the significance of Xuan Liu’s win?
   Xuan Liu’s victory is historic as she becomes the first woman to win a title on the Triton Poker tour, breaking barriers for female players in high-stakes poker.
   
2. How many players competed in the 2025 Triton Poker Montenegro event?
   The event featured 155 entries, with players from around the world vying for the $3.875 million prize pool.
   
3. What was Liu’s previous biggest poker win?
   Before this triumph, Liu’s largest career payout was $600,000 from a fourth-place finish at the 2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
   
4. What does this victory mean for Liu’s career?
   This win boosts Liu’s career earnings to over $3.1 million, marking a significant milestone in her poker career and securing her place in poker history.
   
5. Who were some of the notable players who cashed in this event?
   In addition to Liu, notable players who cashed included Kristen Foxen, David Peters, Mikita Badziakouski, and Artur Martirosian.
   
6. How did Liu win heads-up against Dvoress?
   Liu won a crucial hand with pocket fives, defeating Dvoress’s A-Q in a race, and went on to clinch the victory after Dvoress’s final attempt was unsuccessful.