Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2026.03.21

Aleksandr Blokhin is a rising Russian professional poker player who achieved a major career milestone in early 2026 on the international high-stakes circuit. Originally from Russia, Blokhin has transitioned from a consistent presence in regional European and Asian mid-stakes events to competing at the highest levels of the game. Known for his tactical discipline and ability to navigate massive championship fields, he made a significant impact during the 2026 Triton Poker Series. In March 2026, he solidified his status as a high-stakes threat by securing multiple cashes at the Triton One festival in Jeju, officially surpassing the $100,000 career live earnings milestone.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $137,214 (according to The Hendon Mob), Aleksandr Blokhin is a breakout talent in the 2026 season. His career reached a spectacular peak in March 2026 during the Triton One Jeju series, where he recorded a 27th-place finish in the $15,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller for a career-best $42,500. Proving his consistency in elite fields, he also secured a 36th-place finish in the $8,000 Triton One Main Event for $31,500. His combined success across major tours contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $450,000.

Major Tournament Results:

Year	Event	Prize
2026	Triton One Jeju $15,000 NLHE High Roller (27th)	$42,500
2026	Triton One Jeju $8,000 NLHE Main Event (36th)	$31,500
2025	MPP Kyrenia $5,000 NLHE Main Event (57th)	$19,000
2024	APPT Cambodia $3,000 6-Handed High Roller (2nd)	$17,710
2025	MPP Kyrenia $10,400 Onyx High Roller (22nd)	$17,500

Aleksandr Blokhin poker — Credit: Triton Poker Series

Biography & Professional Growth

Aleksandr Blokhin’s journey in professional poker is defined by a disciplined ascent through international circuits. He first gained notoriety in 2024 on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), where a runner-up finish in the Cambodia High Roller showcased his potential in short-handed formats. By 2025, he had transitioned to the technical fields of the Mediterranean Poker Party (MPP) in Cyprus, securing deep runs in both Main Event and High Roller structures. His entry into the Triton Poker Series in 2026 served as his global arrival, where he demonstrated exceptional resilience by cashing in two of the festival’s flagship events. In 2026, he is regarded as a key representative of the “new wave” of Russian pros who balance rigorous analytical study with a fearless live presence.

Play Style & Strategy

Blokhin is renowned for a “balanced, technically accurate, and resilient” play style. His greatest technical edge is his short-handed navigation and late-stage tournament adaptation, which allowed him to maintain a deep run in the technical 1,230-entry Triton One Main Event. Strategically, he is a proponent of modern GTO foundations, but he is equally praised for his tactical patience in high-pressure “Shot Clock” environments. His approach emphasizes range precision and mental fortitude, making him one of the most difficult emerging Russian players to out-navigate in the current international high-stakes meta.

Follow Aleksandr Blokhin as he continues his historic 2026 run and looks toward the 57th World Series of Poker (WSOP):