Anatoly Nikitin

Anatoly Nikitin was born in Russia and demonstrated entrepreneurial drive from a young age, starting several businesses. However, a series of unfortunate circumstances left him with a seven-figure debt in US dollars. To repay this debt, Nikitin turned his attention to the world of poker, launching a project that would later become the foundation of his public persona: DDX Poker. The acronym "DDX" stood for a blunt description of his financial state—"dolzhen do**ya" (owed a lot). Within months, popular streamer and player Gleb Tremzin joined the project, causing a surge in followers across social media platforms. The partnership was not long-lasting; a conflict led to a split, with Nikitin retaining the currency exchange service "NashGarant" and Tremzin taking over DDX Poker, later rebranded as SafePoker.

After the split, Nikitin continued to build his media presence. He became an ambassador for the poker room PokerOK, leveraging his growing audience. In September 2022, he partnered with the tournament poker lab FiatLab to create a new media project called LabClub. The venture was short-lived, however, as LabClub announced its closure on April 28, 2023, just seven months after launch. During his time with DDX Poker, Nikitin's content resonated with the Russian poker community, and his ambassadorship with PokerOK ended amicably after the transition to FiatLab. Despite these changes, Nikitin remained active in the poker scene, both online and live.

Nikitin's live tournament career has produced consistent results. his total live earnings stand at $1,097,512 (as of earlier records), with a best cash of $188,000. More recent data from 2026 shows his earnings have climbed to over $1.9 million. Key cashes include a fourth-place finish in a high roller event in Cyprus in 2022 worth $59,800, and 19th place in the Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship for $35,745. In the 2026 World Series of Poker, Nikitin was the chip leader on Day 2 of Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em. He eventually busted in the money, with Daniyal Gheba eliminating him on Day 3. Nikitin also ranks 79th on the Russia All Time Money List and 2,796th globally according to Hendon Mob. His Global Poker Index ranking is 291st.

Nikitin is known for a tight-aggressive (TAG) style, emphasizing hand selection and positional advantage. He excels at reading opponents and making disciplined decisions under pressure. His approach leans toward avoiding unnecessary risks but applying pressure in key moments. This style has earned him a reputation as a consistent and reliable tournament player, though he tends to shy away from high-profile social activities within the poker community.

Outside of poker, Nikitin has a wide range of interests. He enjoys theater and once worked as an actor. He is an avid traveler, producing travel vlogs alongside his girlfriend (later wife) Ulyana, whom he married in May 2023. Despite his media presence, he maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing on his family and creative pursuits. His ability to pivot from debt-ridden entrepreneur to successful poker pro and content creator makes his story a compelling one in the Russian poker community.