In a stunning display of poker versatility, Thailand’s Punnat Punsri has added a Pot-Limit Omaha title to his impressive collection of tournament victories. The 32-year-old poker professional claimed the $25,000 PLO event at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Montenegro, banking $550,000 and securing his fourth Triton trophy.
From Learning Experience to Championship Glory
What began as a learning opportunity transformed into a masterclass in tournament poker. Punsri, primarily known for his No-Limit Hold’em expertise, entered the event at the last minute as preparation for the upcoming World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
“I’m still learning this game,” Punnat Punsri remarked after his victory. “Everyone at the final table had more experience in PLO than me.” This modest assessment belies his natural talent, as Punsri now ranks 12th globally on the Global Poker Index and 43rd on the All-Time Money List with career earnings exceeding $23.9 million.
The Thai star’s decision to expand his poker repertoire paid immediate dividends. Despite facing established PLO specialists, Punsri navigated the 84-entry field with remarkable skill, eliminating his final four opponents personally.
Final Table Action
Entering the final day as chip leader with 5,070,000 (85 big blinds), Punsri faced formidable competition from Martin Dam, Alex Foxen, Dirk Gerritse, Isaac Haxton, and Sean Rafael. The action unfolded rapidly, with Rafael departing on just the second hand of play when his top set fell to Gerritse’s completed flush.
Haxton, making his 54th Triton cash, followed shortly after. Despite doubling through Punsri earlier, Haxton couldn’t escape when the Thai player picked up double-suited aces. Their confrontation saw Punsri’s hand improve to a straight against Haxton’s flopped two pair.
The elimination pattern continued as Gerritse, known online as “venividi” and making his first Triton final table, fell in fourth place. His AQ104 couldn’t overcome Punsri’s J10107 when a ten appeared on the river.
Alex Foxen became Punnat Punsri’s next victim on the very next hand. Despite his strong Montenegro performance, Foxen’s AQ105 succumbed to Punsri’s 9753, which flopped two pair and rivered a flush.
The heads-up battle against Dam was brief but dramatic. Dam, a previous PLO champion at Triton Montenegro, faced a significant disadvantage with just 14 big blinds to Punsri’s 98. The final hand saw Dam’s AKQ6 against Punsri’s AQ87. Though Dam led through the flop (J96) and turn (4), the 8 on the river gave Punsri the decisive advantage.
Final Table Results and Prize Distribution
The $25,000 buy-in event generated a prize pool of $2.1 million, with 15 players receiving payouts. The final table results showcase the elite level of competition:
| Position | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Punnat Punsri | Thailand | $550,000 |
| 2nd | Martin Dam | Denmark | $366,000 |
| 3rd | Alex Foxen | United States | $251,000 |
| 4th | Dirk Gerritse | Netherlands | $201,000 |
| 5th | Isaac Haxton | United States | $161,000 |
| 6th | Sean Rafael | United States | $125,000 |
Expanding Horizons
This victory marks a significant milestone in Punsri’s poker journey. Already established as Thailand’s premier poker talent with three previous Triton titles in No-Limit Hold’em, Punsri has now demonstrated his adaptability to the four-card variant.
“This will hopefully push me to take mixed games more seriously,” Punsri noted. His strategic decision to broaden his poker skills comes as he prepares for the World Series of Poker, where mixed-game prowess is highly valued.
For a player who described himself as merely “dabbling” in PLO, Punsri’s performance suggests natural talent that transcends game variants. As he continues to expand his poker repertoire, the poker world will be watching closely to see what this Thai champion accomplishes next.
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