Phil Nagy Partners With Ebony Kenney in $200,000 Coin Rivet Invitational

06:48
06 Sep

Americas Cardroom CEO Phil Nagy has invited Ebony Kenney to team up and play in the $200K buy-in pro-am Coin Rivet Invitational in mid-September.

The high stakes tournament is part of the Triton Poker Series Cyprus and is projected to offer a prize pool in excess of $20 million. Vying for chunks of that money — and a likely $5 million first place prize — will be 64 players consisting of 32 pros and 32 amateurs.

The structure of the Coin Rivet Invitational calls for the amateurs — or wealthy business people if you prefer — to invite a pro poker player to be on their 2-player team. Nagy has tabbed Kenney to join him in the event, a pairing that is certain to be watched by poker players and fans alike.

“Ebony is a refreshing and unique personality who brings such joy and spirit to the table,” the ACR boss said. “Her passion and fearlessness make her competitive in any tournament, so I’m thrilled to give her a Super High Roller shot.” Kenney is an ACR team pro — among other pursuits that include modeling and confidence coaching — but has yet to enter the realm of $200K buy-in poker tournaments. She is fresh off a min-cash in the 2022 WSOP Main Event for $25,500. “To say that I am beyond excited and grateful to Phil would be a complete understatement,” Kenney stated. “It’s not every day I get to play poker with the best players in the world. It feels surreal and I plan on taking in every moment.” Those best players include the likes of Phil Ivey teamed with Paul Phua, Fedor Holz joining forces with David Einhorn, and Rob Yong pairing with 2022 WSOP Main Event champion Espen Jorstad. The capped field is filling up fast for the tournament set for Sept. 10-12 at the brand new poker room of the Merit Royal Diamond in North Cyprus.

Split-Field Format

The first day of action will see the pros and amateurs compete separately, with one re-entry permitted. Players who bag and tag for Day 2 will then co-mingle on the felt. Teammates will be separated until two tables remain.

Some may recall that the £1 million buy-in Triton Helping Hand for Charity tournament in London three years ago used the same type of split-field format. Aaron Zhang ($16,775,820) won that event despite being behind more than 5-1 in chips when heads-up action against Bryn Kenney ($20,563,324) began. Kenney won more money after the two players cut a deal.

Whether deal-making will occur at the final table of the Coin Rivet Invitational remains to be seen. What is known is that the exciting pro-am action will be live streamed “in true Triton Series style,” said Triton CEO Andy Wong.

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