Earlier this month, PokerStars surprised everyone by signing Igor Kurganov up as part of the brand’s Team Pro. This contract provoked a lot of discussions among both poker lovers and professionals and echoed even in the largest online poker community – 2+2, fuelling up serious controversy about the actual meaning and objectives of the deal.
Most poker lovers considered the signing as surprising, especially bearing in mind the fact that Kurganov was one of the players who harshly criticised PokeStars on previous occasions.
So, what was this all about?
PokerStars VIP Program Changes
In 2015, PokerStars revealed its decision to make some serious changes in its VIP Program, which were set to come into effect on January 1st, 2016. The brand then said that the changes were planned to be made in order to improve the gaming experience of players and popularising the game even more.
The brand revealed the specific amendments that were to be implemented, including FPPs replacement with StarCoin, which value was reduced by approximately 25% in comparison to the FPPs. In addition, PokerStars also shared that the blinds of VPPs for Pot-Limit and No Limit games would not surpass $5-$10.
The apple of discord, however, was the brand’s announcement that the VIP Club rewards would be limited to 30%, including the ones of SuperNova and SuperNova Elite players. What is more, the Platinum Star level players’ overall rewards were planned to be reduced by 10%, and 45% rewards would be offered to SuperNova Elite for one last year throughout 2016.
The changes caused a wave of discontent among a large number of VIP players, and Igor Kurganov was one of the poker professionals who did not save any of this criticism for Amaya’s online poker brand. Several other high-stakes players, including Phil Galfond, Justin Bonomo and Dani Stern, also harshly criticised PokerStars for the decision. Some of them called the new system an “amateur-favoured” one, others openly accused the operator for formally announcing they no longer cared about their high-roller players.
It was exactly Kurganov who was one of the most fierce defenders of the previous status quo, saying that PokerStars demonstrated nothing but disregard and even indifference to the high-stakes players. So, this is exactly what made his appointment as an official ambassador of the brand only a year later such a controversial news in the poker world.
Team PokerStars Pro Contract
On February 10th, PokerStars officially announced that Igor Kurganov has joined their Team Pro, becoming an ambassador of the brand. Regardless of the fact that Kurganov is currently widely recognised as one of the best players in contemporary poker, the announcement came as a surprise due to the complicated relationship which Kurganov had with PokerStars in the past.
What is more, the latest signing of an official PokerStars ambassador was a bit unexpected for the wider publicity, as the brand has been recently more focused on signing some of the biggest football stars to its ranks, such as Neymar and Christiano Ronaldo, while at the same time it preferred to reduce its list of sponsored poker players. And this policy was also one of the main reasons why PokerStars was criticised lately.
Undoubtedly, Igor Kurganov is among the most talented poker players the world has ever seen. Currently, the young player has generated live tournament winnings of more than $12 million. He is also known to be playing online under the nickname “lechuckpoker”, but now, as an ambassador of PokerStars, he will play as “IgorKurganov”.
In spite of the fact that a lot of 2+2 users described the signing as a “sleeping with the enemy” contract, obviously there are no hard feelings between Amaya Inc.’s poker brand and the Russian. It seems that their complicated relationship in the past will not be an obstacle for neither of the parties at present times.
What is more, the major changes made by PokerStars in its VIP Program do not seem to bother Kurganov any more, despite the fact they were the main reason why he has previously spit venom at the most popular online poker brand. The player even explained that in his opinion he could act as a link between PokerStars and the players, which would make the connection between them easier and more enjoyable for both parties.
The online poker brand also demonstrated nothing but friendly attitude towards the player, with the Vice President of Corporate Communications Eric Hollreiser praising Kurganov for his “mathematical poker mind”, indisputable talent and flavour for charity giving. Mr. Hollreiser also revealed that the player is also expected to contribute to the popularity of the brand’s products, policies and promotions.
And still, if the conflict between the Russian and the online poker brand has really been long buried, the question why PokerStars chose exactly Kurganov to sign an ambassador contract with, remains as a great matter of interest. Some of the users of the largest online poker community have made speculations about the goals of the Amaya’s poker brand with the signing of Kurganov up to their Team Pro rankings. Although some of them accuse the Russian in hypocrisy and even avarice, as looking for a personal gain, others seem to be more on the right track, suggesting the signing came as a part of an eventual PokerStars expansion in Eastern Europe, where the brand could be seeking to enhance its presence in the near future.
Other 2+2 users have been more gracious to the signing, commenting that at this point such a contract could turn out as a win-win situation for both PokerStars and the players, especially considering the fact that the charity organisations Kurganov backs could also be supported by PokerStars.
The Best Live Tournament Results of Kurganov
The 28-year-old Russian player has total live earnings estimated to $12,042,540, with best live cash result amounting to $1,559,373. Over his career, he has managed to generate plenty of six-digit scores, but he also has a number of seven-digit winnings, as well.
In April 2012, Kurganov won the €30,000 Buy-in No Limit Hold’em 8 Max High Roller Event at the EPT-8-Grand Final, which took place in Monte Carlo. This was the first seven-digit score of the Russian player, who scooped a cash prize estimated to $1,425,874. Only a year later, in June 2013, Kurganov took part in the GuangDong Asia Millions competition in Macau, and ranked at the sixth place in the HKD 1 Million No Limit Hold’em and was granted with a prize of $1,069,137.
Kurganov also emerged on the third position in the EPT-10-FPS-4-Grand Final Super High Roller event in April 2014, winning a massive prize of $1,559,373. This also became the best live cash generated by the Russian so far in his career.
- Author
Harry Evans
