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Alexander Lakhov
Alexander Lakhov is a highly accomplished Russian professional poker player and a decorated champion of the World Poker Tour (WPT). Originally from Saint Petersburg, Lakhov has built a career defined by incredible consistency and a “Triple Crown” level of versatility, having won major titles across several major tours. Known for his technical mastery of both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha, he has remained a top-tier threat on the international circuit for over a decade. In early 2026, he continues to dominate the Eurasian circuit, recording multiple final tables in Sochi and Montenegro while maintaining his status as one of Russia’s elite all-time money earners.
Career Earnings & Major Milestones
As of March 2026, Alexander Lakhov’s total live tournament earnings have surpassed $4,569,200 (according to The Hendon Mob), placing him 12th on the Russia All-Time Money List. Lakhov is best known for his 2014 victory at the WPT Cyprus Main Event, where he claimed $325,400. He nearly secured a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in 2015, finishing runner-up in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event for $140,400. His 2026 season has already started strong, with deep runs at the Sochi Poker Festival (SPF) and the Montenegro Series, proving that he remains a dominant force in the modern era.
Major Tournament Results:
| Year | Event | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | WPT Cyprus $4,400 Main Event (1st) | $325,400 |
| 2014 | WPT Merit Classic $2,200 Warm Up (1st) | $145,510 |
| 2015 | WSOP $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha (2nd) | $140,456 |
| 2024 | EPT Cyprus $550 Seniors Event (1st) | $16,235 |
| 2026 | SPF Winter ₽25,000 Turbo Deepstack Bounty (2nd) | $2,979 |
Biography & Professional Background
Alexander Lakhov’s journey into professional poker was fueled by a background in finance and an analytical mindset that allowed him to adapt to the game’s evolving math. He first gained international attention in the early 2010s by crushing the European and Asian circuits. Lakhov is particularly revered for his dominance in Cyprus and Sochi, venues he describes as his “home turf.” Beyond his individual accolades, Lakhov is respected as a theoretical expert who often bridges the gap between old-school intuition and modern solver-based strategies. In 2026, he continues to lead the Saint Petersburg poker community as a veteran ambassador, frequently sharing insights on tournament variance and strategy.
Play Style & Strategy
Lakhov is renowned for a “balanced and fearless” play style. He is widely considered one of the most difficult opponents to play against in short-handed (6-Max) and mixed-game formats due to his unpredictable aggression and elite post-flop reading abilities. Strategically, Lakhov is a proponent of maximum pressure during the bubble and final table play, often leveraging his stack to exploit ICM (Independent Chip Model) considerations. His 2025 and 2026 results show an increasing proficiency in Mystery Bounty and Progressive Knockout (PKO) formats, where he has optimized his ranges to hunt for bounties while maintaining championship-level chip stacks.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow Alexander as he continues his run through the 2026 circuit and chases his first WSOP bracelet this summer in Las Vegas:
Video Highlights:
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.
