Timofey Kuznetsov

Timofey Kuznetsov was born in 1991 in Russia. He began playing poker in 2008 and quickly became captivated by the strategic complexities of the game. For many years, he competed anonymously online under the screen name "Trueteller," building a legendary reputation in the nosebleed-stakes cash games on PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. In 2015, he publicly revealed his identity, transitioning from an online phenom to a live tournament contender.

Kuznetsov is best known in the online poker world as "Trueteller." On PokerStars, he earned over $2,400,000, and on the now-defunct Full Tilt Poker, he accumulated an additional $2,050,000 under the same alias. His online sessions often involved the highest stakes available, and he frequently clashed with other top players. In November 2015, Kuznetsov played a legendary 30-hour heads-up session against Phil Ivey, a marathon battle that captured the attention of the poker community. In March 2017, he won over $100,000 in just two weeks of online play.

One of the most memorable online hands occurred in March 2018, when Kuznetsov got all-in preflop with A♠ A♣ against Jonas "OtB_RedBaron" Mols, who held K♦ K♠. They agreed to run the board twice. The first board ran out 3♥ K♣ 4♣ 2♦ 6♠ and the second came 6♥ K♥ 9♦ 7♥ 3♠, giving the entire pot to Mols, who spiked a king each time. The pot was worth $157,425.70.

In 2018, fellow poker pro Andres "Educa-p0ker" Artinano ranked Kuznetsov among the top three 6-max No-Limit Hold'em players in the world, alongside Linus Loeliger and Jonas Mols. Kuznetsov's game extends beyond Hold'em; he is also highly skilled in Pot-Limit Omaha, Short Deck, and mixed games like 2-7 Triple Draw and 8-Game.

Kuznetsov's live tournament record is impressive, with total earnings exceeding $8,648,295 according to The Hendon Mob. As of 2025, he ranks 3rd on the Russia All-Time Money List and has held a career-best global ranking of 116th on the All-Time Money List. His biggest live cash came in 2015 when he finished 4th in the inaugural $500,000 Super High Roller Bowl, winning $2,150,000. The event was won by Brian Rast.

In 2019, Kuznetsov won a $1,000,000 buy-in Short Deck event at the Triton Poker Series in Jeju, taking home $1,724,185. The following year, he triumphed in the partypoker LIVE MILLIONS Sochi Super High Roller Series event, earning $1,200,000. He also placed 3rd in a $50,000 Short Deck event at the 2021 Super High Roller Series Europe, winning $336,000 and earning 202 PGT points.

His live results include multiple deep runs in major festivals around the world. He has cashed in events such as the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and various high-roller series in Europe and Asia. Kuznetsov's consistent performance in elite fields has solidified his status as one of Russia's most successful poker players.

Kuznetsov is renowned for his deep-thinking, analytical approach to the game. He exhibits a disciplined style that considers the implications of every action, often outmaneuvering opponents through strategic foresight. His versatility is a hallmark, as he excels in No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Short Deck, and mixed games. He is equally comfortable in cash games and tournaments, adapting his strategy to different formats and opponent tendencies. Peers describe him as a player who "thinks really deep," balancing theoretical soundness with intuitive decision-making in high-pressure situations.

Kuznetsov served as a professional ambassador for partypoker LIVE, where he contributed to software development and the evolution of mixed-game formats. His role involved promoting live events and sharing his expertise with the broader poker community.

As of 2026, Kuznetsov remains an active force on the global high-roller circuit, frequently competing in the most difficult tournaments in the world. His online alias "Trueteller" continues to be synonymous with elite-level play. He is respected not only for his results but also for his contribution to poker theory and strategy. With over $8.6 million in live earnings and countless online successes, Timofey Kuznetsov has secured his place among the modern poker greats.