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 with his family to the war-torn region.

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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Eugene Katchalov by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

Be sure to follow Eugene Katchalov and Connor Richards on X.

Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

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 E-Sports 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?