Russian High Stakes Pro Igor Kurganov Joins PokerStars Pro Team

Igor Kurganov
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  • PG News February 11, 2017
  • 2 Minutes Read

After a long time, PokerStars has signed up a new brand ambassador in Igor Kurganov (cover image), who is a high stakes live games pro, besides having been a Supernova Elite player in 2015. Kurganov will be the latest to join the brand’s Team Pro roster and admitted that talks had been on since mid-last year for the deal.

Ever since it had been acquired by Amaya, PokerStars had dropped several long-standing Team pros, with others like Victoria Coren-Mitchell leaving due to the brand’s changed business strategies that catered to recreational players, by diluting its poker-centric focus.

At last count, PokerStars began to pick pros more visible on digital media, including Jason Somerville and Jamie Staples who are highly popular on Twitch, in a bid to keep up with the latest trends. Igor, on the other hand can be termed a classic poker pro, dedicated only to playing events, than on any other peripheral activities.

Kurganov has in fact, been quite media-shy in his early days and it was through his relationship with Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree that he began to interact with PokerStars.

Today, Kurganov states that, “Love or hate PokerStars, it’s going to be the major force in poker over the years to come and has been for the last years. What matters is the margin, if I can have any impact on the way in which poker develops. To achieve that, an involvement with PokerStars is simply the most impactful thing I can do. If I have no impact at all, well, then so be it. But if I have any, that’s great and I’m definitely happy to take that option and see where it goes.”

Considered one of the most analytical players on the scene, Kurganov will not only represent PokerStars at events, but will also be a bridge between the company and players by utilizing the brand’s data from a user’s point of view.

Kurganov is also on the board of Raising for Effective Giving (REG) a charity that involves pros who give away a portion of their winnings for just causes. But, naturally, as part of his tie-up with PokerStars, it is expected that REG will also feature more in the future. Kurganov has already declared that part of his earnings from PokerStars would also go to REG. As of date, Kuraganov has amassed $12,042,540 in live tournament cashes, besides equal success online.

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