Igor Kurganov
Igor Kurganov (born 5 May 1988) is a professional poker player, angel investor and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of Raising for Effective Giving, a philanthropic organisation that promotes a rational approach to philanthropy often referred to as effective altruism,[1] and provides advice on choosing charities based on certain criteria.[2] [3]
| Igor Kurganov | |
|---|---|
 Igor Kurganov in 2015 | |
| Nickname(s) | lechuckpoker |
| Born | 5 May 1988 Saint Petersburg, Russian SFSR, USSR |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Final table(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 7 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Money finish(es) | 3 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Money finish(es) | 4 |
Poker career
Kurganov's first tournament was the 2010 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure where he finished 119th cashing for $20,000. In April 2012, he won the EPT High Roller in Monte Carlo for $1,425,874. He made three final tables in the 2013 Aussie Millions cashing for over $1,000,000.[4] Kurganov finished 6th in GuangDong Asia Millions cashing for over $1,000,000 and later in the year played his first World Series of Poker event winning an additional $70,000.[5][6]
Kurganov plays online under the nickname lechuckpoker.[7]
In April 2016, he teamed with the London Royals in the Global Poker League. As of 2020, Kurganov's live tournament winnings exceed $18,500,000.
In November 2019, Igor Kurganov announced on Twitter, that he has left Team Pokerstars. [8]
World Series of Poker bracelets
| Year | Event | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $10,000 Tag Team No Limit Hold'em Championship | $273,964 |
Personal life
Kurganov has been dating British poker player Liv Boeree since 2014. Together they founded the charity project Raising for Effective Giving, an organization that educates poker players about Effective altruism,[9] and fundraises for specifically selected highly effective charities.[10][11] As of July 2020, Raising for Effective Giving has raised over $14,000,000 for its supported charities.[12] Kurganov himself expressed particular interest in supporting organizations that work on existential risk research.[13] Kurganov lived for a time in Munich and now lives in London.
References
- https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Liv-Boeree-on-Effective-Altruism_100487/
- http://reg-charity.org/about/
- "Igor Kurganov". Global Poker Index. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- Fast, Erik (1 May 2012). "Igor Kurganov Beats Daniel Negreanu For European Poker Tour €25,000 High Roller Title". CardPlayer. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- Dacey, Rick (5 January 2013). "PCA 2013: $100,000 Super High Roller sets the pace". PokerStars. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- Bell, Josh (7 June 2013). "Niklas Heinecker Wins GuangDong Ltd Asia Millions Main Event for $4.4 Million". PokerNews Global. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- Pitt, Matthew (20 May 2014). "Ivan "vandir4rek" Soshnikov Wins $10,300 SCOOP Main Event". flushdraw.net. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- "Liv Boeree and Igor Kurganov leave Team Pokerstars". pokersuperagent.com. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
- "News: Liv Boeree on Effective Altruism". www.pokerstrategy.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- PokerListings.com (21 October 2014). "Liv Boeree: "Making Money is Fine, but It's Time to Give It Back"". PokerListings. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- "About - Raising for Effective Giving". Raising for Effective Giving. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- "Accomplishments - Raising for Effective Giving". Raising for Effective Giving. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- "News: Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov talk team work". www.pokerstrategy.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.