Alex Kulev

Alex Kulev is a Bulgarian professional poker player who has rapidly ascended to the upper echelons of the live tournament world. With total live tournament earnings surpassing $14 million he is the undisputed leader of the Bulgaria All-Time Money List and ranks among the top 100 players globally. A World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and a regular in the highest-stakes events, Kulev has built a reputation for his relentless aggression, technical precision, and ability to compete with the world's best.

Born in Bulgaria, Kulev currently resides in Dublin, Ireland. His poker journey began online, where he plays under the alias 'FutureofMe.' Unlike many of his peers, Kulev never joined a traditional coaching or staking stable, instead honing his skills through independent study and detailed hand discussions with stronger players. This self-taught approach allowed him to develop a deep understanding of game theory and high-pressure situations.

Online, Kulev has amassed more than $7.7 million in earnings, with numerous six-figure scores. In November 2022, he won the $10,300 Super MILLION$ event on GGPoker for $538,139. The following March, he collected a career-best online score of $807,380 for a third-place finish in the same event. These results established him as one of the most feared multi-table tournament (MTT) players on platforms like GGPoker and PokerStars.

Kulev's live career began in 2018, initially focusing on low to mid-stakes events. His first major live success came at the 2021 WSOP in Las Vegas, where he cashed five times, including a runner-up finish in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em The Closer for $232,920. This result gave him the confidence to step up in stakes.

In 2022, he posted two runner-up finishes in €25,000 buy-in high rollers at the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague festival, totaling €244,418. His true breakout came in 2023. At the 2023 EPT Monte Carlo, he won the €100,000 Super High Roller for €1,036,287, his first seven-figure live cash. A few months later, at the 2023 WSOP, he finished fourth in the $250,000 Super High Roller for $1,632,005. He then captured his first gold bracelet by winning the $50,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller for a career-best $2,087,073, defeating a field of 176 entrants.

Buoyed by his WSOP triumph, Kulev became a regular face in the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series and other elite events. In April 2024, he won a €30,000 buy-in event at the EPT Monte Carlo festival for €633,385. His most significant live cash to date came in the 2024 Triton Poker Series Montenegro $100,000 Main Event, where he took first place for $2,566,000—the largest prize of his career. This victory cemented his status as one of the game's rising stars.

Kulev's success continued into 2025 and 2026. In March 2024, he finished sixth in the $159,000 Triton Jeju event for $983,000. In 2026, he captured the Onyx High Roller Series $10,000 Opener for $384,150, and at the 2026 EPT Monte Carlo, he won the €250,000 Super High Roller for an astonishing €2,786,332—his largest live cash to date. He also placed third in the 2026 WSOP $100,000 High Roller for $1,326,537, demonstrating his consistency at the highest levels.

Alex Kulev is renowned for a purposeful, high-pressure playing style. He utilizes aggression as a tactical tool, often applying post-flop pressure and capitalizing on positional advantages. A master of modern Game Theory Optimal (GTO) mechanics, Kulev emphasizes that solvers should be used to understand logic rather than as a manual for memorization. He is particularly effective at trapping with strong ranges in spots where his aggressive reputation induces bluffs. His strategy revolves around systematic preparation, mental sustainability, and an uncanny ability to stay present during high-variance swings. He frequently adjusts his frequencies based on table image and the tendencies of his high-roller opponents.

As of mid-2026, Kulev's total live earnings are reported at over $14.15 million by The Hendon Mob, while the WSOP.com profile shows $14.34 million. He has one WSOP bracelet, 21 final tables, and over 190 cashes. He ranks 98th on the All-Time Money List and is the top-ranked Bulgarian player. Combined with his online success, his estimated poker net worth exceeds $15 million. Kulev continues to play in the highest-stakes events worldwide, including the Triton Series and WSOP Paradise, and remains a prominent figure in the Eastern European poker wave.