When Punnat "Pro Punnat" Punsri touched down at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in early January 2026, he was greeted by scenes typically reserved for Olympic champions or national sports heroes. Crowds of fans, media cameras, and representatives from Thailand's poker community gathered to welcome him home with applause, flowers, and unmistakable pride. The reception highlighted a fascinating contradiction: a poker player celebrated as a national hero in a country where poker remains officially illegal.
Accomplished poker professional Jordan Cristos has been sentenced to five months in the Clark County Detention Center following a series of legal issues that culminated in threats against World Poker Tour CEO Adam Pliska. The 38-year-old American, who has amassed over $3.6 million in live tournament earnings throughout his career, now faces significant consequences for actions that have shocked the poker community.
