Eugene Katchalov Returns to Both Ukraine and Poker
Life Outside Poker is a new podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.
In the 19th episode, Connor speaks with former poker pro Eugene Katchalov, one of Ukraine's all-time money leaders who fled the country in 2022 after Russia's invasion and has since returned to the war-torn region with his family.
Katchalov, a former PokerStars ambassador, talked about growing up in New York City, his poker glory days and 2007 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic victory for $2.5 million, returning to Ukraine and misconceptions about the longstanding conflict with Russia. He also discussed his venture into esports and new plans to get back into poker with a project aimed at leveling the playing field between pros and recreationals.
The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including , , and . You can also watch the interview with Eugene Katchalov by heading to the .
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Time Stamps
| TIME | TOPIC |
|---|---|
| 0:00 | Intro |
| 1:08 | Returning to Ukraine |
| 5:30 | Breakdown of Ukraine-Russia conflict |
| 10:09 | Growing up in Brooklyn |
| 12:03 | How poker has changed |
| 16:20 | Black Friday |
| 17:28 | Esports |
| 21:32 | Return to poker? |
| 23:24 | Problems with poker today |
| 27:24 | Online poker |
| 32:08 | Book recommendation |
| 34:24 | Advice for younger self |
| 33:16 | Favorite life lesson from poker |
| 37:15 | What makes you hopeful? |
