The poker community met sad news on Monday, when the wife of Russian poker pro Nikolay Evdakov announced online that her husband had passed away. Evdakov was only 47, and the cause of death is still unknown.
His wife, Nataliya, posted the news on Evdakov’s poker forum, CGM.ru. She wrote: “On the night of February 6, Nikolay Evdakov died – a loving father and an exemplary family man, a friend of the community of poker enthusiasts, an outstanding professional player and the owner of CGM.ru. Generous, but ambitious, Nicholas won the hearts of people with kindness and sympathy, being open-hearted, he was ready to respond to the call of any of his friends and acquaintances.”
Evdakov was a top poker pro in Russia with more than $1.1 million in tournament winnings alone since 2006 when he first cashed at a live event. He had won the $500 Russian Poker Championship and $37K to show for it. In 2008, he became a worldwide sensation when he cashed a record 10 times in the WSOP, pocketing $228K. The following year, he cashed six times, proving his skills across the board and excelling in NL Hold ‘em, PL Omaha, and Seven Card Razz events. His WSOP success continued in 2010 when he placed fourth in the $10K Seven Card Stud Championship, winning $110K and in 2011, placing seventh in the $25K NL Heads-Ups event, taking home more than $138K.
One year ago, he placed first in two EPT LA Poker Classic events, the NLH Iron Man and the PLO 6-Handed, winning almost $100K between the two.
A message to the family from the WSOP reads: “Sad news today about Nikolay Evdakov’s passing. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends in this sad time.”
It’s always a sad time when we lose one of our own in the poker community. Our deepest sympathies to the to Nataliya and the Evdakov family.
