He couldn’t keep his poker face in court.
A professional card player who has won pots at the World Series of Poker blubbered Tuesday as he pleaded guilty to charges that he masterminded a $31 million debt collection scam — believed to be the largest ever prosecuted.
Travell Thomas, 38, fidgeted as he admitted he owned and ran a Buffalo-based company where callers at four offices would threaten victims with criminal charges if they didn’t pay inflated debts, known as “juicing.”
The callers also lied to make it look like the company was affiliated with the government and the court system.
The scam ran from 2010 to 2015 and resulted in the arrest of Thomas and 14 others.
“I knew what I was doing was wrong and in violating the law. I did it of my own free will,” he told Manhattan federal Judge Katherine Polk Failla.
During the hour-long proceeding, Thomas paused a few times to chat with his lawyers about his plea agreement with the feds — and to compose himself after bursting into tears about 10 minutes in.
“I apologize for my actions today,” he told the judge.
Thomas, who lives in Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, pocketed about $750,000 from the scheme — which he blew on gambling expenses, tickets for sporting events, his wedding reception, jewelry and cosmetic surgery for his wife, prosecutors said.
Thomas faces as much as 40 years behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud charges but will likely get far less.
His lawyers declined to comment.