Russian poker superstar Igor Kurganov has joined the already powerful roster of PokerStars-sponsored ambassadors, the online poker room announced on Friday. As part of PokerStars Team Pro, the player will be taking part in different initiatives related to the brand’s promotion.
With live tournament winnings of more than $12 million, Kurganov is one of the best representatives of professional poker’s younger generation. Here it is also important to note that over the years, he has made a name for himself as a particularly proficient high roller player.
A quick look at his cash record tells us that he has made numerous final table appearances in some of the world’s most prestigious high roller tournaments to have taken place over the past several years, has won some of them, and has scored five- and six-figure cashes in most of them.
A notable accomplishment was his first-place finish in the EPT Season 8 Grand Final €25,500 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller 8-Max back in 2012. The player emerged victorious after a heads-up duel with none other but Daniel Negreanu, now his fellow PokerStars Team Pro member.
In 2014, Kurganov scooped his largest-ever live cash of €1,128,300 for finishing 3rd in the EPT Season 10 Grand Final €100,000 Super High Roller. Here it is good to note that the Russian player has been a constant presence in EPT festivals over the course of his impressive poker career.
Of him joining the already star-studded PokerStars brand ambassadors roster, Kurganov said that he is glad to be able to work with the poker room and be part of its future growth plans. The player also revealed that PokerStars will be supporting a cause very dear to him – the Raising For Effective Giving charity organization.
Kurganov and his life partner and fellow poker pro Liv Boeree are members of REG’s board. Among other REG-related activities, the two players have pledged a portion of their poker winnings to the organization, which raises and distributes funds to different charities aimed at improving the quality of life of people and animals all over the world.
Commenting on the news about the new addition to PokerStars Team Pro, Eric Hollreiser, VP of Corporate Communications for the online poker brand, said that they are happy to welcome a person of profound intelligence and good nature. Mr. Hollreiser explained that as a brand ambassador, Kurganov will contribute to the promotion of the operator’s live and online offering in his home country – Russia, as well as in Germany and the rest of the world.
