A runner-runner flush gave Koon a huge win and the €1-million payout
The high-stakes poker scene witnessed a remarkable display of skill as Jason Koon emerged victorious in a unique winner-take-all Sit and Go during the European Poker Tour (EPT) stop in Monte Carlo. Nine elite professionals bypassed a planned cash game stream to instead compete for a total prize pool of $1,073,000 in a format where only the first-place finisher received a payout.
This high-intensity environment encouraged aggressive play and bold strategic maneuvers since participants had no incentive to play conservatively for secondary prizes. Koon navigated a field of legendary opponents to claim the entire seven-figure sum and solidify his reputation as one of the most formidable competitors in the world.
The roster for this exclusive event read like a hall of fame list featuring Stephen Chidwick, Patrik Antonius, and Mikita Badziakouski, among other heavy hitters. These nine players combined for career earnings exceeding $429 million, which highlighted the incredible level of talent gathered at a single table.
Because the tournament offered nothing for second place, the early stages were defined by massive bluffs and high-variance collisions. Badziakouski was the first to exit after a dramatic hand against Aleksejs Ponakovs, while Daniel Dvoress and Ben Tollerene followed shortly after as the blinds increased.
Koon eventually found himself in a dominant position during the later stages of the afternoon. After eliminating Artur Martirosian with two pair, he entered three-handed play with a significant chip advantage.
Although Kayhan Mokri managed to eliminate Stephen Chidwick in third place, the subsequent heads-up battle lasted only one hand. Koon called an all-in bet with an ace and managed to catch a runner-runner flush on the final board to end the tournament instantly.
