Vitaly Lunkin

Vitaly Lunkin was born on 7 May 1971 in Moscow, Russia. He began playing at the World Series of Poker in 2006, finishing 829th in the Main Event for his first WSOP cash. Over the following years, he steadily built a reputation as a formidable tournament competitor, combining aggressive play with deep-stack expertise.

Lunkin has won two WSOP bracelets. His first came in 2008 in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event, earning $629,417. The following year, he captured his second bracelet in the $40,000 No Limit Hold'em 40th Anniversary event, taking home $1,891,018—his largest live cash to date. In the same 2009 WSOP, he also finished second to Matt Graham in the $10,000 World Championship Pot-Limit Omaha event for $419,832.

Beyond his bracelet wins, Lunkin has made six WSOP final tables and 32 money finishes. His best Main Event result came in 2013, when he placed 46th. He also recorded several deep runs in later years, including a 35th-place finish in the 2020 WPT Russia Main Event and cashes in the 2023 WSOP Main Event (1430th) and the 2022 $800 Deepstack (258th).

On the European Poker Tour, Lunkin has a title and three final tables. His most notable EPT victory came in Barcelona in a Super High Roller event, where he earned over $1 million. He is also a previous winner of the Russian Poker Tour Moscow Main Event, further solidifying his status as a pioneer of Russian poker.

Lunkin has consistently performed across a variety of buy-in levels and formats. his total live tournament winnings exceed $6,444,768, placing him 8th on the Russia All Time Money List and 299th globally (as of mid-2025).

Lunkin is known for an aggressive, pressure-oriented style, frequently raising and reraising preflop to seize control of hands. He excels in deep-stack situations, employing strong hand-reading skills and psychological tactics. His style combines calculated aggression with disciplined position play, often wearing sunglasses and a cap at the table. He has emphasized the importance of emotional control and bankroll management, advocating a professional approach to the game.

Beyond his tournament success, Lunkin works as a professional poker trainer and coach in Moscow, helping to develop the next generation of Russian players. He is considered one of the pioneers of Russian poker, having achieved significant results on the global stage at a time when few Russian players were making their mark. His two WSOP bracelets, combined with his EPT title and consistent deep runs, have earned him respect as a versatile and enduring competitor.

According to WSOP.com, Lunkin has accumulated 52 career WSOP cashes, 7 final tables, and total WSOP earnings of $4,125,835 as of 2023. His recent WSOP results include a 1430th-place finish in the 2023 $10,000 Main Event ($15,000), a 566th in the 2023 $600 Deepstack Championship ($960), a 258th in the 2022 $800 Deepstack ($1,603), and an 82nd in the 2022 $600 Mixed game ($1,636). In 2020, he placed 35th in the WPT Russia Main Event for $7,602. These results demonstrate his continued competitiveness across a range of buy-ins and formats.

Lunkin is consistently ranked among the top Russian players. On the Hendon Mob database, he holds the 8th position on the Russia All Time Money List and is ranked 299th globally in the All Time Money List. He has earned milestones such as exceeding $6,000,000 in live earnings, and his profile is marked by awards for WSOP bracelet winner. His residence remains Moscow, Russia, and he continues to represent Russian poker internationally.