Do not let his wire-framed eyeglasses, affectionate smile and recurring snicker idiot you, Stephen Music is without doubt one of the final individuals you need to see on the poker desk. That is dangerous information for gamers on the Triton ONE sequence because the 2022 World Poker Index (GPI) Participant of the 12 months plans on enjoying a full slate of tournaments on the inaugural competition on South Korea’s Jeju island.
Music has already had greater than his share of success on the island, together with two excessive curler victories at The Lord Poker Tour (TLPT) earlier this 12 months.
But it hasn’t all been smooth-sailing for the American professional, who revealed to PokerNews that he had a tough 2024 earlier than turning it round after which some by profitable the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona Principal Occasion for a career-best $1.4 million.
Triton ONE Sequence Sees Sturdy Begin in Jeju
The Songbird of His Era
Although his first money dates again to 2016, a victory in a $500 October Poker Weekend at Turning Stone Resort for $32,957, and his resume included a number of World Sequence of Poker (WSOP) Circuit wins and a 2019 EPT Barcelona facet occasion victory for $205,341, Music really made a reputation for himself in 2022 when locked up POY by profitable the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Championship on the eleventh hour for $712,650. If the general POY distinction wasn’t sufficient of an accomplishment, Music was additionally named the Mid-Main POY.
“That 12 months was in all probability the very best I’ve ever run,” Music advised PokerNews. “I imply, I’ve ran actually, actually good. However that 12 months I simply could not miss. The 12 months simply felt straightforward. There was no downswings or something, it was simply constant. It felt like I used to be cashing each match. A type of dream years for positive.”
The breakout 12 months was something however a fluke. Two years later, Music topped a area of 1,975 gamers within the Twentieth-anniversary EPT Barcelona Principal Occasion to win seven figures after a heads-up take care of Brit Andrew Hulme. It was Music’s second trophy in Spain as he gained a €2,200 EPT Barcelona facet occasion in 2019 for $205,341.
Music’s second main run in Barcelona — plus an NAPT Excessive Curler victory a number of months later for $439,400 — saved him from what he described as a troublesome 12 months of match poker.
“That was nuts as a result of I might really been getting back from a reasonably large downer on the time,” Music mentioned. “I used to be down a good quantity through the summer season however I sort of saved it and ended up barely up with a pair good runs. However total, that 12 months I might been getting crushed. So to win (the) EPT Barcelona Principal, it simply exhibits that you simply preserve enjoying and something can occur. So long as you present up, you have acquired an opportunity to show every little thing round.”
“I Simply Should Drive Myself to Fold Generally”
Music’s opponents in Jeju could not have been thrilled to see him present up on the first-ever Triton ONE competition. In Could, he gained back-to-back The Lord Poker Match excessive rollers on this very venue for respective scores of $750,000 and $204,000.
“I are inclined to need to play extra arms. I are inclined to not need to fold. I simply should pressure myself to fold typically.”
“The match scene is admittedly nice right here,” he mentioned. “It is like quite a lot of motion, which is cool. Individuals aren’t afraid to (go for it). It makes it a little bit more durable, although, as a result of you possibly can’t simply autopilot and fold. A few of these guys will attempt to savage you. So you have gotta battle again typically. However it’s enjoyable right here.”
Earlier than talking with Music on a break throughout a gap flight of the $3,000 buy-in Triton ONE Genesis (an occasion he did not money), PokerNews witnessed Music three-bet in late place and pressure a fold from an opponent who appeared extra fascinated about taking his full 15-minute break than enjoying out the hand. May the aggressive transfer be indicative of Music’s total enjoying model?
“I might say I can change it up right here and there,” Music mentioned. “However I are inclined to need to play extra arms. I are inclined to not need to fold. I simply should pressure myself to fold typically.”
Shared Success
Music is not the one one in his orbit to expertise poker success. Earlier this summer season, he watched his shut good friend and fellow high-stakes professional Adam Hendrix obtain the dream of constructing the ultimate desk of the WSOP Principal Occasion, the place he completed in sixth place for a career-best $1.9 million.
“Truthfully, it was simply unreal,” Music mentioned. “We acquired collectively the day earlier than and we had been all hanging out and making an attempt to look over stuff and put together for his FT. However yeah, it was truthfully so enjoyable.”
“Individuals speak about it on a regular basis, however who you are pals with or your community is simply so huge in poker. Particularly in a troublesome recreation like this the place some huge cash’s at stake and you’ll go on some fairly sizable downers. So it is good to have guys who’re proper in there with you who you speak via it (with) or bounce concepts off of. It helps out rather a lot, for positive.”
Music is presently enjoying within the $10,000 Thriller Bounty, the place he’s seated to the appropriate of fellow crusher Kristen Foxen. Her husband, Alex Foxen, is among the many chip leaders of the occasion with 132 gamers remaining as of publishing.
In the meantime, the Triton One QQPK Genesis has reached its last two tables with $564,000 and two trophies awaiting the eventual winner.
*Pictures courtesy Triton, Drew Amato & Spenser Sembrat
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.
