Konstantin Puchkov (born 1952) is a Russian poker player, horse trainer and horse breeder from Moscow.[1] He was the fourth Russian-born player to earn a World Series of Poker bracelet.[2] He is best known for having earned a World Series of Poker bracelet in his first World Series of Poker in the money finish (2010 World Series of Poker Event #31: H.O.R.S.E., $1,500 buy-in) and setting the record for most in the money finishes at one series during the 2012 World Series of Poker (11).
| Konstantin Puchkov | |
|---|---|
| Residence | Moscow |
| Born | 1952 (age 71–72) |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Final table(s) | 8 |
| Money finish(es) | 55 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish | none |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 2 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | 2 |
| Money finish(es) | 9 |
Puchkov had gone cashless in three prior World Series of Poker Series, including 21 events in 2009 prior to winning a bracelet in his first in the money finish.[2] He claims his 21 events without cashing is a record. He also says that at both the 2007 and 2008 World Series of Poker, he only played in the main event.[3] He names all the horses that he breeds after poker terms.[2] According to his World Poker Tour profile, he began playing poker exclusively in Russia, before playing internationally in 2007.[4]
| Year | Cashes | Final Tables | Bracelets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 | ||
| 2012 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2012 E | 1 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2013E | 1 | ||
| 2014 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2015 E | 2 | ||
| 2016 | 10 | ||
| 2017 | 5 | ||
| 2018 | 4 |
On 19 June, Puchkov defeated “Sugar Bear” Al Barbieri heads up to win his first WSOP bracelet in 2010 World Series of Poker Event 31. Other final tablists in the event included Ken Lennaárd and Robert Mizrachi[5]
| Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. | $256,820 |
At the 2012 World Series of Poker, Puchkov finished in the money 11 times in the series, which is a record.[6][7] In his 11 in the money finishes, Puchkov totaled $173,382 in prize money and reached 2 final tables.[8] His eleventh cash came while playing events 59 and 60 simultaneously. In setting the record, he surpassed fellow Russian Nikolay Evdakov.[9] Although he began play on 6 July as the chip leader in event #60: $10,000 2-7 Lowball (No-Limit),[10] he made his eleventh in the money finish in event 59.[6]
| Event # | Tournament | Prize (US$) | Place | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event #5 | $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em | $2,846 | 56th | 639 |
| Event #6 | $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em Mixed Max | $14,328 | 26th | 409 |
| Event #14 | $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout (2,000 player max) | $5,295 | 56th | 1138 |
| Event #30 | $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball (No-Limit) | $5,955 | 11th | 285 |
| Event #33 | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em | $2,214 | 199th | 2795 |
| Event #35 | $2,500 Mixed Hold’em (Limit/No-Limit) | $6,437 | 20th | 393 |
| Event #37 | $2,500 Eight Game Mix | $41,844 | 6th | 477 |
| Event #44 | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em | $2,123 | 214th | 2949 |
| Event #46 | $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em | $49,245 | 9th | 1607 |
| Event #50 | $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em | $43,095 | 14th | 1001 |
| Event #59 | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em | $2,079 | 381st | 4620 |
Puchkov also made a final table at the €10,450 Mixed Max No Limit Hold’em 2012 World Series of Poker Europe Event 5.[11]
- ^ “Konstantin Puchkov’s profile on The Hendon Mob”. The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Feldman, Andrew (19 June 2010). “Horse trainer wins HORSE event”. ESPN.com. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- ^ Fiorvanti, Tim (19 June 2010). “WSOP Bracelet Winner Profile – Konstantin Puchkov”. BLUFF. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- ^ “Konstantin Puchkov”. World Poker Tour. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ “2010 41st Annual World Series of Poker: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 to Saturday, June 19, 2010: Event #31: H.O.R.S.E.” WSOP.com. Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- ^ a b “Konstantin Puchkov”. WSOP.com. Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- ^ Hannon, Austin. “WSOP Mid-Day: Main Event Anticipation Builds as Final Events Wind Down”. Bluff Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ Lucchesi, Ryan (7 July 2012). “WSOP By The Numbers: 2012 Preliminary Event Wrap-Up”. Bluff Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ Burton, Earl (7 July 2012). “2012 World Series of Poker, Preliminary Action: WSOP National Championship Draws Impressive Field, Deuce to Seven Lowball Down To Final 10”. Poker News Daily. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ Cosby, Samuel (6 July 2012). “2012 World Series of Poker Day 40: Merson and Lehr Heads-Up, Puchkov Eyeing History”. Poker News. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- ^ “2012 World Series of Poker Europe: Event #5: Mixed Max – No-Limit Hold’em”. WSOP.com. Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2013.