Leon Tsoukernik

Leon Tsoukernik was born on November 7, 1973, in Moscow, and later moved to the Czech Republic. He started an antique business in Toronto, Canada in 1991, became independent in 1993, and opened an antique shop in Prague. In 1999, he co-founded the international antique company ILIAD Antik New York, whose clientele included politicians and celebrities. In 2003, he opened King's Casino in Rozvadov on the Czech-German border, transforming it into a poker-focused venue in 2009. It grew into one of Europe's largest poker rooms, and in 2010 he launched King's Admiral Rozvadov, followed by King's Casino Prague in 2011 and Casino Bellevue Marienbad in 2014. Tsoukernik won the 2014 European Poker Awards Industry Person of the Year for his contributions to poker. In June 2024, he sold King's Casino and exited the gambling business.

Tsoukernik regularly competes in high-stakes tournaments worldwide. His notable results include:

• 2016 EPT Prague €50,000 Super High Roller champion: €741,100 (≈$782,453)
• 2017 Super High Roller Bowl ($300,000 buy-in): 4th place for $1,800,000
• 2014 European Masters PLO Rozvadov champion: €27,442
• 2019 WSOP Europe €100,000 Short Deck champion: €1,102,000 (defeated Phil Ivey heads-up)
• January 2020: Won a slot machine jackpot of €1,372,500 (≈$1,530,500) at Seefeld Casino

His live tournament career includes 22 cashes totaling $5,445,290, with his biggest cash being $1,800,000. He ranks fourth on the Czech Republic all-time money list. His most recent cash was $109,648 on September 30, 2024.

Tsoukernik is known for an aggressive and intuitive style, often employing unconventional bet sizing and frequent all-ins that confuse opponents. High-stakes pro Charlie Carrel once said Tsoukernik "knows very little about poker but has very sharp intuition." He has played high-stakes cash games against elite players like Phil Ivey and Dan Cates, demonstrating a high tolerance for risk.

Between 2016 and 2017, Tsoukernik faced allegations from poker players Elton Tsang and Matt Kirk of refusing to pay gambling debts. In spring 2018, Tsoukernik reportedly won a record-breaking pot against Matt Kirk in a Montreal cash game, after which the two reconciled and became friends.

Tsoukernik lives near King's Casino Rozvadov in Western Bohemia with his partner, Sandra Tsoukernik, and their son, Leonel. He is the main sponsor of the ice hockey team HC Škoda Plzeň and is an avid art collector.

In 2024, Tsoukernik was hospitalized in critical condition after a suspected overdose of the sedative drug Propofol at his home in the Czech Republic. His friend and fellow poker pro Tony G (Tony Guoga) publicly expressed concern and visited him in the hospital. The poker world rallied in support, and Tsoukernik's condition was being monitored by doctors. At the time of reporting, he was battling for his life.

Since 2002, Tsoukernik expanded the King's Brand, launching King's Admiral Rozvadov in 2010, King's Casino Prague in 2011, and Casino Bellevue Marienbad in 2014. These venues catered to poker players and tourists, solidifying his reputation as a leading casino operator in Europe.

In 2024, Tsoukernik was hospitalized after a suspected overdose of Propofol at his home. His friend Tony G expressed concern publicly, stating, "I hope that the rumours are not true about Leon Tsoukernik’s overdose on Propofol." The poker world rallied in support as he battled for his life.