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Alexander Kostritsyn is a world-renowned Russian professional poker player and one of the most feared high-stakes specialists in the history of the game. Originally from Moscow, Kostritsyn became a global sensation in 2008 when he captured the Aussie Millions Main Event at just 21 years old. While highly decorated in the live arena, he is perhaps even more legendary in the digital realm, where his aliases "joiso" (PokerStars) and "PostflopAction" (Full Tilt) dominated the most expensive cash games ever played. In 2026, Kostritsyn remains a revered "end-boss" of the poker world, balancing selective high-roller appearances with a continued mastery of complex Mixed Game formats.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $3,173,790 (according to The Hendon Mob), Alexander Kostritsyn remains a titan of the Russian poker scene. His career reached a historic peak in 2008 when he defeated poker legend Erik Seidel heads-up to win the Aussie Millions Main Event for $1,450,396. Beyond this victory, his live resume is bolstered by 17 WSOP cashes, including multiple final tables in prestigious "Championship" events. As of early 2026, he maintains a strong position on the Russia All-Time Money List. When factoring in his massive online cash game profits, estimated at over $8 million across major platforms, his total poker net worth is widely believed to exceed $12 million.
Major Tournament Results:
Year | Event | Prize |
|---|---|---|
2008 | Aussie Millions A$10,500 Main Event (1st) | $1,450,396 |
2010 | WSOP $10,000 Heads-Up Championship (4th) | $219,969 |
2010 | WSOP $50,000 The Players Championship (10th) | $152,730 |
2015 | WSOP $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha (7th) | $144,305 |
2026 | PokerStars SCOOP High Roller Events (Multiple Cashes) | TBD |
Biography & Online Domination
Alexander Kostritsyn’s journey began with a $1,000 bankroll challenge from friends, which he famously ran up to $100,000 in a single week by winning a tournament. This set the stage for one of the most dominant online careers in history. Playing under the name "joiso," he became a staple in the "nosebleed" stakes, regularly trading millions of dollars with icons like Viktor Blom and Phil Ivey. Unlike many flash-in-the-pan stars, Kostritsyn’s longevity is credited to his deep mathematical foundation and stoic discipline. In 2026, he is often cited as the "final boss" of Russian poker, a player whose absence from a live event is usually only due to his preference for the high-stakes cash games of Moscow and the virtual felt.
Play Style & Strategy
Kostritsyn is renowned for a "complete" play style, meaning he is equally expert in No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and all Limit Mixed Games. His greatest technical edge is his post-flop aggression and range reading in low-information games like 2-7 Triple Draw and Razz. Strategically, he is a proponent of maximum flexibility; he is one of the few players from the pre-solver era who successfully integrated GTO (Game Theory Optimal) mechanics without losing the exploitative "feel" that made him a champion. In 2026, he remains one of the few players capable of sitting in a $1,000/$2,000 8-Game rotation and holding a significant edge against the world's best.
Social Media & Online Presence
While Alexander is notoriously private, you can track his legendary stats and infrequent live appearances here:
Video Highlights:
About the Editor
Derick Elomina is Somuchpoker's Lead Content Writer and Interview Specialist, reporting live from WSOP bracelet events and Asia Pacific poker festivals such as TMT, APT, RDPT and APL Jeju, alongside player features and interviews for the site's Stories section. He discovered poker at 14 playing home games with friends, and by 21 he had entered the industry as a field reporter, starting as a hand reporter before building his current role on the tournament floor.