The World Series of Poker Paradise, which is in its second year, has partnered with the Triton Poker Series for the Triton Million, a unique tournament that paired either a businessman or businesswoman with a poker pro – each putting up a $500,000 buy-in – and then each competing in their respective fields on Day 1 before combining into one field on Day 2.

One of the last pairs announced for the Triton Millions, which is being live reported by PokerNews, was that of businessman “Texas” Mike Moncek and poker pro Shaun Deeb.

PokerNews caught up with the latter prior to the start of play, and the man who won a million-dollar body fat prop bet earlier this year shared his excitement.

“There’s only been bigger, the Big One for One Drop $1,000,000, and I only won a satellite to that. I never played it.” explained Deeb, who received a cash payout for that 2012 event as he was an alternate to the 48-man field.

So, how did Deeb, who doesn’t really play the high roller scene, end up in one of poker’s largest buy-ins ever?

“Mike messaged me a couple of months ago about possibly wanting to play this. I was like, ‘You know, I can get you a better pro if you want one.’ But he was like, ‘I want to play with you’ and we kind of went back and forth. Then a few days ago he decided, ‘OK, let’s do it’ and so we just had to coordinate. Everything was very last minute. I like to procrastinate.”

“It’s cool to get this opportunity. I don’t think I’ll do this very often in my career regardless of the result of this.”

As for his connection to Texas Mike, their friendship dates back several years, and actually both began and blossomed during the WSOP.

“We met at the WSOP over the years playing a couple of times, and then a guy who does all these big side bets with him introduced us,” Deeb shared. “We started chatting, I gave him some poker advice, and so over the years, we just talked more and more. We had some big side bets going this WSOP but his health wasn’t great, so we canceled. He’s just a great guy to be friends with. We try to hang out whenever we’re around each other and yeah, it’s cool to get this opportunity. I don’t think I’ll do this very often in my career regardless of the result of this. We’ll just have fun, take a shot, and see how it goes.”

Win or lose, Deeb is intent on making the most of his trip to the Bahamas.

“My family is coming down later. I really wanted to go to the Wynn as well and play the WPT Freeroll and stuff, but the days are just too conflicting. I looked at flying back and forth. I had some crazy things in my head, but I ended up here and we’ll see how it goes. You can get buried, a lot of high buy-ins here, and a lot of re-entries. Hopefully, it goes well and I don’t lose too much.”

The six-time bracelet winner is looking for his third WSOP Paradise cash having notched two in 2023. The first was a 99th-place finish in Event #1: $1,500 Mystery Millions for $3,690 and the other 88th in Event #11: $740 Flip & go for $1,400.

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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