Poker’s wildest week: Guns drawn, $2.1M hands, and tournament drama

A backyard poker game escalated into a gun scare, while pros split millions at the WSOP. Why this week proved poker’s most unpredictable yet.

, and Administrator

2025 December 12 . 10:15 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the... — In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the people who are on the stage. It seems like an event in which there is a conversation between the media people and the owners. At the background there is a big hoarding and the wall beside it.

Poker’s wildest week: Guns drawn, $2.1M hands, and tournament drama

Recent weeks have seen high-stakes drama both on and off the poki tables. A heated home depot game dispute turned violent when two players drew firearms, while major tournaments crowned new champions. Meanwhile, a record-breaking cash game hand and tech controversies added to the action.

A home depot poker game escalated when surveillance footage captured Maurice Hawkins and Eugene Castaneda retrieving firearms during an argument. Castaneda later admitted to grabbing a weapon, though no injuries were reported.

At the World Series of Poki (WSOP), Matthias Eibinger and Mike Watson agreed to split the prize in a high-profile event. The WSOP Paradise, WPT World Championship, and PokiStars EPT Prague also awarded titles, but no single player claimed victories in both the WPT and EPT events.

Hustler Casino Live’s Million Dollar Marathon made headlines with a $2.1 million cooler—the largest in the show’s history. Away from the tables, Steven Jones, who finished third in Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2, shared his reality TV experiences on the PokiNews Podcast.

The WSOP+ App’s new ICM feature has faced criticism from players, though developers have yet to respond to the feedback.

The poki world remains as unpredictable as ever. A home depot game clash involving firearms has raised safety concerns, while tournament winners and tech debates keep the community talking. The $2.1 million cooler at Hustler Casino Live stands as a reminder of the game’s high-risk, high-reward nature.