Eugene Katchalov

Eugene Katchalov is a Ukrainian-American who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, with over $9.2 million in live tournament earnings. His best live cash of $2,482,605 came when he won at the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic in December 2007. Throughout his poker career, Eugene has achieved several notable accomplishments, including winning the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January 2011.

In 2011, he was named BLUFF Magazine Player of the Year after finishing in 3rd place at the EPT in Barcelona. In the same year, Eugene joined PokerStars Team Pro and represented Ukraine until May 2016. He also became a brand ambassador for the local Ukrainian poker site PokerMatch in 2019 until September 2022.

Escaping Danger During the Ukraine Crisis

On February 24, 2022, he tweeted that he was back in his hometown in Ukraine, just as Russia launched its invasion. Realizing the danger, he quickly made plans to evacuate his family. Thousands were trying to flee, causing massive traffic and fuel shortages, which added to his concerns. He initially found a hotel nearby but soon decided to head for the border, sharing on Twitter how surreal the situation felt, like “being in a war movie.” He worried for friends in Kyiv, especially those with newborns. Due to his U.S. passport, Katchalov and his wife were permitted to leave, unlike other Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60, who were mandated to remain and prepare for national defense.

Soon after, he returned to the U.S.

Eugene Katchalov: Early Life

Born on February 21, 1981 in Kiev, Ukraine, Eugene moved to the United States at just ten years old, where he was raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the NYU Stern School of Business, earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from 1999 to 2003. At 20, Eugene’s friends taught him to play poker, initially just for fun at home. Soon after, he made a small deposit on PartyPoker and started playing online.

In December 2004, Eugene entered his first live tournament at the Five-Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas, marking the beginning of his professional poker journey. By 2006, he had also started a career in finance, becoming an equity trader at Opus Trading Fund, where he worked until 2008.

Years later, after gaining success in poker, Eugene decided to shift his focus and left PokerStars Team in May 2016. He then became a co-owner and the global head of business at QLASH, an esports organization, alongside Luca Pagano, where he continues to work today.

Eugene Katchalov: Live Tournament Participation

Eugene Katchalov’s first recorded live cash occurred in December 2004 at the Five-Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas. He finished in 5th place in a $3,000 + 100 No Limit Hold’em, cashing $47,868.

In December 2007, he played in a $15,000 + 400 No Limit Hold’em at Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic. He finished in 1st place and won his biggest live cash to date of $2,482,605.

Following this, Eugene joined in a £20,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em – High Roller at the EPT in London in September 2009. He finished in 3rd place and took home $307,247.

At the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January 2011, he won a whopping $1,500,000. Eugene entered in a $100,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em – Super High Roller Event and finished in 1st place.

Later in August of that year, he participated in a €5,000 + 300 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event at the EPT in Barcelona. Eugene placed 3rd and earned $453,812.

Continuing his career, in January 2014, he took part in a €5,000 + 300 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event at the EPT in Deauville. He finished in 2nd place and cashed $518,981.

In a recent appearance on October 13th, 2024, Eugene competed in a $2,200 No Limit Hold’em – Eureka High Roller Event #22 at the European Poker Tour in Kyrenia. He ended up in 109th place, earning $4,990.

Eugene Katchalov Other Notable Achievements

• June 2007: $5,000 + 180 No Limit Hold’em at the Bellagio Cup III in Las Vegas ($118,785)
• June 2011: $1,500 Seven Card Stud at the 42nd WSOP in Las Vegas ($122,909)
• March 2014: €2,000 + 200 No Limit Hold’em – Eureka High Roller at the EPT in Vienna ($207,962)
• December 2016: €2,000 + 200 No Limit Hold’em Event #59 at the EPT in Prague ($133,905)

Conclusion

Eugene Katchalov is a successful Ukrainian-American poker player with over $9.2 million in tournament earnings. He has achieved many notable victories, including winning major events like the 2011 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and the 2007 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic. His journey took a dramatic turn when he had to escape Ukraine during the Russian invasion in 2022, but he quickly returned to the U.S. and continued his poker career. With a background in finance and esports, Katchalov remains a prominent figure in the poker community.