Latvia

Aleksejs Ponakovs is a Latvian professional poker player who has established himself as one of the most feared high-stakes tournament competitors in Europe. He burst onto the international scene with a series of deep runs at EPT and Triton events, combining disciplined pre-flop fundamentals with an aggressive post-flop style that has repeatedly confounded elite opponents. His biggest career score came at a Triton Super High Roller Series event, and he has consistently featured at final tables across Malta, Barcelona, and Prague. Known for his composed demeanour and sharp game-theory awareness, Ponakovs regularly competes in €10,000–€50,000 buy-in events. As of 2026, his total live tournament earnings exceed $7.7 million, placing him among the top earners from the Baltic region in the history of professional poker.