{{Short description|Russian-born German poker player (born 1988)}}
{{Short description|Russian-born German poker player (born 1988)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox poker player
{{ poker player
|name=Igor Kurganov
|name=Igor Kurganov
|image=Igor Kurganov 2015.jpg
|image=Igor Kurganov 2015.jpg
|caption=Kurganov in 2015
|caption=Kurganov in 2015
|nickname=lechuckpoker
|nickname=lechuckpoker
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1988|5|5|df=y}}
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1988|5|5|df=y}}
|birth_place=[[Saint Petersburg]], Soviet Union
|birth_place=[[Saint Petersburg]]
|hometown=
|residence=[[Austin, Texas]], United States
|wsop bracelet count=1
|wsop bracelet count=1
|wsop final tables=1
|wsop final tables=1
|wsop money finishes=7
|wsop money finishes=7
|wsop main event best finish rank=
|wsop main event best finish rank=
|wsop main event best finish year=
|wpt titles=0
|wpt final tables=0
|wpt =
|wpt final tables=
|wpt money finishes=3
|wpt money finishes=3
|ept titles=1
|ept titles=
|ept final tables=3
|ept final tables=
|ept money finishes=4
|ept money finishes=4
|updated=2024–11–29
|updated=–
}}
}}
”’Igor Kurganov”’ (born 5 May 1988) is a Russian–born German professional poker player, investor, and philanthropist. He is best known for his success in high roller poker tournaments, his involvement with the charitable organisation [[Raising for Effective Giving]] (REG), and his public advocacy for [[effective altruism]].<ref name=”PS_Boeree”>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Barry |date=8 April 2017 |title=Liv Boeree on Effective Altruism |url=https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Liv-Boeree-on-Effective-Altruism_100487/ |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=PokerStrategy.com}}</ref>
”’Igor Kurganov”’ (born 5 May 1988) is a Russianborn German professional poker player, investor and philanthropist. He is the [[Raising for Effective Giving]], effective altruism<ref name=”PS_Boeree”>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Barry |date=8 April 2017 |title=Liv Boeree on Effective Altruism |url=https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Liv-Boeree-on-Effective-Altruism_100487/ |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=PokerStrategy.com}}</ref>
==Early life==
Kurganov was born in [[Saint Petersburg]], Soviet Union, in 1988, and emigrated to Germany with his family as a child. He developed an early interest in mathematics and game theory, which later influenced his analytical approach to poker.<ref name=”glob_Igor”>{{Cite web| title = Igor Kurganov| work = Global Poker Index| access-date = 23 May 2016| url = http://www.globalpokerindex.com/poker-players/igor-kurganov-136099/}}</ref>
==Poker career==
==Poker career==
Kurganov began playing live tournaments in 2010, making his first major cash at the [[PokerStars Caribbean Adventure]] where he placed 119th for $20,000.
In April 2012, he won the €25,000 [[European Poker Tour|EPT]] High Roller in Monte Carlo, defeating [[Daniel Negreanu]] heads-up and earning $1,425,874, a career-defining result.<ref name=”card_Igor“>{{Cite web| title = Igor Kurganov Beats Daniel Negreanu For European Poker Tour €25,000 High Roller Title| author = Fast, Erik| work = CardPlayer| date = 1 May 2012| access-date = 23 May 2016| url = http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/13226–igor–kurganov–beats–daniel–negreanu–for–european-poker-tour-25-000-high-roller-title}}</ref>
the .<ref name=””>{{Cite web| title = , | author = , | work = | date = May | access-date = 23 May 2016| url = http://www../news/——-}}</ref>
In November 2019, Igor Kurganov announced on Twitter, that he has left Team Pokerstars.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Liv Boeree and Igor Kurganov leave Team Pokerstars| work = pokersuperagent.com| date = 21 November 2019| access-date = 3 December 2019| url = https://pokersuperagent.com/news/2019/liv-boeree-and-Igor-kurganov-leaveteam-pokerstars.html| archive-date = 13 February 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200213152754/https://pokersuperagent.com/news/2019/liv-boeree-and-Igor-kurganov-leaveteam-pokerstars.html| url-status = dead}}</ref>
Kurganov won his first [[World Series of Poker]] bracelet in 2017 in the Tag Team No Limit Hold’em Championship alongside his partner [[Liv Boeree]], collecting $273,964.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 WSOP Results |url=https://www.wsop.com/tournaments/results/?aid=2&grid=1352&tid=15765 |access-date=25 November 2023 |website=WSOP.com}}</ref>
He has also competed in the [[Global Poker League]], representing the London Royals franchise in 2016.
===Online poker===
Kurganov plays online under the screen name ”lechuckpoker”, where he has competed in major events including the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP).<ref name=”flus_Ivan”>{{Cite web| title = Ivan “vandir4rek” Soshnikov Wins $10,300 SCOOP Main Event| author = Pitt, Matthew| work = flushdraw.net| date = 20 May 2014| access-date = 23 May 2016| url = http://www.flushdraw.net/news/ivan-vandir4rek-soshnikov-wins-10300-scoop-main-event/}}</ref>
{| class=”wikitable”
{| class=”wikitable”
! style=”background: #E9E9E9;” | Year
! Year
! style=”background: #E9E9E9;” | Event
! Event
! style=”background: #E9E9E9;” | Prize Money
! Prize money
|-
|-
|[[2017 World Series of Poker|2017]]
| 2017
| $10,000 Tag Team No Limit Hold’em Championship (with [[Liv Boeree]])
|$10,000 Tag Team No Limit Hold’em Championship
| $273,964
|$273,964
|}
|}
==Philanthropy==
In 2014, Kurganov co-founded [[Raising for Effective Giving]] (REG) with Liv Boeree and other poker professionals. REG is a charitable initiative promoting [[effective altruism]], encouraging poker players and other high-income individuals to pledge a portion of their winnings to rigorously evaluated charities.<ref name=”about_rfeg”>{{Cite web |title=About |url=http://reg-charity.org/about/ |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=Raising for Effective Giving}}</ref>
As of 2020, REG had raised over $14 million for causes including global health, poverty alleviation, and existential risk reduction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reg-charity.org/about/accomplishments/|title=Accomplishments|work=Raising for Effective Giving|access-date=29 November 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Kurganov has personally spoken about prioritising donations to organisations addressing [[existential risk]] and long-term global challenges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2017 |title=News: Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov talk team work |url=https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Liv-Boeree-Igor-Kurganov-talk-team-work_101320/ |access-date=29 November 2017 |website=PokerStrategy.com}}</ref>
==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Kurganov was born in St. Petersburg and immigrated with his family to Germany at an early age.
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]],<ref name=”PS_Boeree” /> and fundraises for specifically selected highly effective charities.<ref name=”poke_LivB”>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/liv-boeree-making-money-is-fine-but-it-s-time-to-give-it-back-35194|title=Liv Boeree: “Making Money is Fine, but It’s Time to Give It Back”|author=PokerListings.com|date=21 October 2014|work=PokerListings|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=”about_rfeg”/> As of July 2020, [[Raising for Effective Giving]] has raised over $14,000,000 for its supported charities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reg-charity.org/about/accomplishments/|title=Accomplishments|work=Raising for Effective Giving|access-date=29 November 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Kurganov himself expressed particular interest in supporting organizations that work on [[existential risk]] research.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2017 |title=News: Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov talk team work |url=https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Liv-Boeree-Igor-Kurganov-talk-team-work_101320/ |access-date=29 November 2017 |website=PokerStrategy.com}}</ref>
He has been in a relationship with British poker professional [[Liv Boeree]] since 2014. The couple frequently collaborate on philanthropic projects and public advocacy around rational decision-making and charitable giving.<ref name=”poke_LivB”>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/liv-boeree-making-money-is-fine-but-it-s-time-to-give-it-back-35194|title=Liv Boeree: “Making Money is Fine, but It’s Time to Give It Back”|author=PokerListings.com|date=21 October 2014|work=PokerListings|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref>
{{Expand section|date=July 2022}}
{{Expand section|date=July 2022}}
A ”[[Wall Street Journal]]” investigation in 2022 reported that Kurganov worked with [[Elon Musk]] on charitable giving strategies in 2021–2022, briefly serving as a philanthropy adviser before departing Musk’s circle.<ref name=”WSJ_Jul2022″/>
A ”[[Wall Street Journal]]” in 2022 Kurganov [[Elon Musk]] a .<ref name=”WSJ_Jul2022″/>
==See also==
* [[List of poker players]]
* [[Effective altruism]]
==References==
==References==
==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/211331-igor-kurganov Card Player profile]
*[https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/211331-igor-kurganov Card Player profile]
* [http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?n=136099 Hendon Mob profile]
* [http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?n=136099 Hendon Mob profile]
* [https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/igor-kurganov/ WPT profile]
*[https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/igor-kurganov/ WPT profile]
* [https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=95293 WSOP profile]
*[https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=95293 WSOP profile]
* [https://cardplayerlifestyle.com/interview-igor-kuganov/ Igor Kurganov interview (video + transcript)]
* [https://cardplayerlifestyle.com/interview-igor-kuganov/ Igor Kurganov (video + transcript)]
{{Team PokerStars}}
{{Team PokerStars}}
[[Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Saint Petersburg]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Saint Petersburg]]
[[Category:German poker players]]
[[Category:Philanthropists]]
Russian-born German poker player (born 1988)
| Igor Kurganov | |
|---|---|
Igor Kurganov in 2015 |
|
| Nickname(s) | lechuckpoker |
| Born | 5 May 1988 Saint Petersburg |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Final table(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 7 |
| Money finish(es) | 3 |
| Money finish(es) | 4 |
Igor Kurganov (born 5 May 1988) is a Russian born German professional poker player, angel investor and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of Raising for Effective Giving, a philanthropic organisation that promotes a rational model to philanthropy often referred to as effective altruism,[1] and provides advice on choosing charities based on certain criteria.[2][3]
Kurganov’s first tournament was the 2010 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure where he finished in 119th place 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.[8]
In November 2019, Igor Kurganov announced on Twitter, that he has left Team Pokerstars.[9]
World Series of Poker bracelets
[edit]
| Year | Event | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $10,000 Tag Team No Limit Hold’em Championship | $273,964 |
Kurganov was born in St. Petersburg and immigrated with his family to Germany at an early age.
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,[1] and fundraises for specifically selected highly effective charities.[10][2] As of July 2020, Raising for Effective Giving has raised over $14,000,000 for its supported charities.[11] Kurganov himself expressed particular interest in supporting organizations that work on existential risk research.[12]
Kurganov lived for a time in Munich and then London and most recently was reported to have moved to Austin, Texas.[13]
Association with Elon Musk
[edit]
![[icon]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2022)
|
A Wall Street Journal article in July 2022 details some of Kurganov’s connection to Elon Musk. Kurganov did charity coordination work with Musk for a period in 2021–2022.[13]
- ^ a b Carter, Barry (8 April 2017). “Liv Boeree on Effective Altruism”. PokerStrategy.com. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ a b “About”. Raising for Effective Giving. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “Igor Kurganov’s profile on The Hendon Mob”. The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ “Liv Boeree and Igor Kurganov leave Team Pokerstars”. pokersuperagent.com. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
- ^ PokerListings.com (21 October 2014). “Liv Boeree: “Making Money is Fine, but It’s Time to Give It Back”“. PokerListings. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ “Accomplishments”. Raising for Effective Giving. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- ^ “News: Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov talk team work”. PokerStrategy.com. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- ^ a b Copeland, Rob (16 July 2022). “Elon Musk’s Inner Circle Rocked by Fight Over His $230 Billion Fortune”. Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
