Aleksejs Ponakovs biography
Aleksejs Ponakovs is a Latvian professional from Riga who recorded his first tournament result in 2010, at 18. He won his first World Series of Poker bracelet online on GGPoker in 2021 in the $7,777 Lucky 7's High Roller for $432,491.
In 2022 he won the WSOP $100,000 High Roller for $1,897,363, beating Phil Ivey heads-up and denying him an 11th bracelet. He has since become one of the most successful players on the Triton Super High Roller Series: he finished 4th in a $262,500 event in London in 2023 for $2,540,000, 2nd in a $150,000 event in Jeju in 2025 for $3,139,000 and won the $100,000 Triton Main Event at WSOP Paradise in December 2025 for $4,750,000, his third bracelet. In 2026 he won a $150,000 Triton anniversary event in Montenegro for $3,027,000 and the EUR 25,000 High Roller at EPT Monte Carlo.
With more than $42 million in live tournament earnings, Ponakovs is first on Latvia's all-time money list.
Career summary
Latvia's all-time money leader with more than $42 million in live earnings, Aleksejs Ponakovs is a three-time WSOP bracelet winner and multiple Triton champion.
Aleksejs Ponakovs poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Triton Montenegro $150,000 10th Anniversary Special | 1st | $3,027,000 |
| 2026 | EPT Monte Carlo EUR 25,000 High Roller | 1st | EUR 839,430 |
| 2025 | WSOP Paradise $100,000 Triton Main Event | 1st | $4,750,000 |
| 2022 | WSOP $100,000 High Roller | 1st | $1,897,363 |
| 2021 | WSOP Online $7,777 Lucky 7's High Roller | 1st | $432,491 |
| 2025 | Triton Jeju $150,000 | 2nd | $3,139,000 |
| 2023 | Triton London $262,500 | 4th | $2,540,000 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $42,700,000+, plus 3 WSOP bracelets.
Aleksejs Ponakovs playing style
Ponakovs is an elite, aggressive super high roller who thrives in small fields of the world's best players.
Business & sponsorships
Professional poker player.
Why Aleksejs matters
Aleksejs Ponakovs from Riga is Latvia's all-time money leader and one of the biggest winners in super high roller poker in the 2020s.
FAQ about Aleksejs Ponakovs
How many WSOP bracelets does Aleksejs Ponakovs have?
Three: an online event in 2021, the $100,000 High Roller in 2022 and the $100,000 Triton Main Event at WSOP Paradise in 2025.
What is Aleksejs Ponakovs's biggest win?
$4,750,000 for winning the Triton Main Event at WSOP Paradise in December 2025.
How much has Aleksejs Ponakovs won playing poker?
Aleksejs Ponakovs has won $42,700,000+ in live tournament earnings.
