Konstantin Puchkov's Amazing 2012 WSOP

8 years ago
A record 11 cashes, plus one more in Europe
21:01
29 Jun

Imagine finishing in-the-money in just one shy of a dozen WSOP events in one series.

Konstantin Puchkov doesn't have to imagine - he accomplished the feat in 2012 and holds the record for doing so. The Russian pro made two final tables in that record-breaking season, 9th place in $2,500 NLHE for $49,245, and another $41,844 for landing in 6th place in $2,500 8-Game.

Just 2 and 1/2 months later at the WSOPE in Cannes, Puchkov made an even deeper run when he finished in 5th place for $54,918 in a €10,450 Mixed Max Event. That's a dozen WSOP cashes in one year, which added more than $230,000 to Puchkov's career earnings that now stand at over $2.3 million, the Hendon Mob reported.

His run good didn't end when 2013 arrived, as Puchkov cashed in seven more WSOP events in 2013 - also one time in Europe - including a 3rd place finish in $10,000 2-7 Lowball for $99,313. Last year, Puchkov landed in-the-money in five WSOP tournaments, one of which was a 262nd place finish in the Main Event for a payday of $38,634.

A horse owner in his native Moscow, Puchkov also holds the distinction of winning a bracelet in his first WSOP cash. That happened in 2010 in $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. when the 63-year-old bested a field of 828 to land in the winner's circle and earn $256,820. How fitting that a horseman grabbed both his first-ever cash and a bracelet in H.O.R.S.E.

It wasn't always smooth sailing at the WSOP tables for the Russian pro. Puchkov didn't win, place or show at the WSOP for three consecutive years from 2007-09. That includes going cashless in 21 events in 2009. 21 events! Now that's perseverance - to come back for more in later years and eventually obtain the record for the most cashes.

At this year's WSOP, Puchkov has cashed twice. He made it to 51st place in $5,000 NLHE Eight Handed for $8,642, and final tabled $1,500 NLHE Extended Play, grabbing $59,920 for 7th place.

Puchkov names his horses back in Russia with terms that are poker-related, such as "Full House" and "Freeroll." His record of 11 cashes in 2012 outperformed fellow countryman Nikolay Evdakov, who finished in-the-money 10 times in 2008.


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Charles is a Chicago native and long time poker player who dusted off his journalism degree and began writing about poker following the events of Black Friday in 2011. He has written for a number of leading poker websites, offering his insights and expertise on subjects ranging from online poker leg...Read more

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