Ivan Demidov

Childhood

Ivan Demidov was born in 1981 in Moscow, Russia. While details about his early life are scarce, it is known that he developed an interest in competitive gaming before transitioning to poker. Before making his mark in poker, Demidov was an avid Warcraft III player, competing under the alias SouL. His strategic mindset in gaming likely contributed to his later success in poker.

Career

Demidov rose to fame in 2008 when he became one of the original "November Nine," reaching the final table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. He advanced to heads-up play against Peter Eastgate but ultimately finished second, earning $5,809,595—one of the largest payouts in poker history.

Later that year, he achieved another milestone by reaching the final table of the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Main Event, finishing third. This made him the first player ever to reach the final tables of both the WSOP and WSOPE Main Events in the same year—a feat later matched by James Akenhead and Antoine Saout in 2009.

Despite his success, Demidov has never won a WSOP bracelet, making him the highest-ranked player on the WSOP All-Time Money List without one as of 2012.

Personal life

Little is publicly known about Demidov’s personal life. He has kept a low profile outside of poker, with no widely reported relationships or family details. His primary focus appears to have been his professional poker career.

Revenue

As of 2009, Demidov’s live tournament winnings exceeded 6.5 million, with the majority coming from his 2008 WSOP runner-up finish.

However, his financial journey was not without controversy. Demidov revealed that he had a financial backer who sponsored his earlier tournaments, agreeing that the backer would receive a significant portion of his winnings. Reports suggest that Demidov never received his full share from the 2008 WSOP, leaving him unpaid despite his massive success.

Interesting facts

First Dual Final Table Achievement: Demidov was the first player to reach the WSOP and WSOPE Main Event final tables in the same year.

Warcraft III Background: Before poker, he was a competitive Warcraft III player named SouL.

Unpaid Winnings Controversy: Despite earning millions, Demidov claimed he never received his full payout from his 2008 WSOP backer.

No Bracelet Record Holder: He remains the highest-earning WSOP player without a bracelet.

Legacy

Demidov’s back-to-back deep runs in the 2008 WSOP and WSOPE cemented his place in poker history. Though he never secured a bracelet, his strategic play and resilience made him a respected figure in the poker community. His story also highlights the risks of backer agreements in high-stakes poker.