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Yevgeniy Timoshenko is a Ukrainian professional poker player widely regarded as one of the most accomplished players of the “Moneymaker” generation. Rising to international prominence at just 21 years old, Timoshenko made his mark by succeeding in both the online and live poker arenas at the same time. With a career highlighted by deep runs and major scores in prestigious events around the world, he has long been one of Ukraine’s most successful representatives on the high-stakes circuit.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings of nearly $8 million (according to The Hendon Mob), Timoshenko has spent nearly two decades at the forefront of the game.
His breakout year in 2009 remains one of the most dominant single-season runs in poker history. That April, he won the WPT Five Star World Poker Classic $25,000 Championship in Las Vegas for a massive $2,149,960. He followed this up in 2014 by conquering the Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge, defeating a field of elite specialists to earn $1,791,248 (AUD 2,000,000). Other notable results include a runner-up finish in the 2011 WSOP $25,000 Heads-Up Championship for $525,980 and a 22nd-place finish in the 2013 WSOP Main Event.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Timoshenko moved to Washington State at the age of 10. Like many of his peers, he discovered poker during the 2003 boom, starting with small games among high school friends before transitioning to the online felt. Using the screen names “Jovial Gent” on PokerStars and “bballer88” on Full Tilt, he famously built his bankroll from freerolls without ever making a deposit.
His online legacy was cemented in late 2009 when he won the WCOOP Main Event for $1,715,200, arguably the most prestigious title in digital poker. This victory, coming just months after his WPT live title, made him a dual-threat legend. Despite his success in the U.S., he has always proudly represented his Ukrainian heritage on the global stage, currently ranking 3rd on the nation’s all-time money list.
Play Style & Strategy
Timoshenko is often described as a “Jovial Gent” at the table, but his play style is anything but soft. He is a highly methodical and disciplined player who relies on deep analytical thinking rather than raw aggression. Known for his extreme composure and a “poker face” that rarely cracks even in multi-million dollar pots, he is a specialist in the Independent Chip Model (ICM) and tournament end-game strategy.
His approach to the game is centered on constant self-review. He famously credits his success to a rigorous routine of analyzing his own hand histories and developing a unique strategy rather than simply mimicking other top pros. This technical focus allowed him to transition seamlessly between high-stakes cash games and the world’s most difficult “Super High Roller” tournaments.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Yevgeniy Timoshenko’s latest scores and his continued presence at major stops like the WSOP and WPT? You can track his career milestones here:
