World Series of Poker: From Russia With Love and Alexander KravchenkoThe World Series of Poker 2007 has been history making from an international standpoint. Alexander Kravchenko becomes the first Russian poker player ever to win a bracelet at the World Series of Poker.
He won the 2007 38th Annual World Series of Poker: Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (Event 9) and a cool $228,446 to go along with it.
Now 36-year old businessman Alexander Kravchenko, born in Arhangelsk, Russia, is guaranteed to walk off with at least $500,000 as part of the 2007 World Series of Poker final table. His odds of winning the title were set at 9 to 1, making him the biggest underdog (you can bet $100 to win $900)
Kravchenko may not be well known in the States but he is certainly known in Europe and in particular Russia. Alexander Kravchenko, a regular at Moscow poker tables, has earned more than $180,000 in Russian and European tournaments over the past five years, according to the Hendon Mob Poker Database.
Up until this year, Kravchenko's lack of participation in the World Series of Poker events had nothing to do with lack of desire and everything to do with an inability to obtain a visa into the United States.
“I can’t get a visa to the United States,” Kravchenko, 34, said in an interview in the Shangri La VIP room, which regularly hosts cash games with a $7,000 buy-in for Moscow’s elite players.
As Kravchenko prepares to join the other 8 at the final table of this year's World Series of Poker, he does so with the lowest chip count: 6,570,000. But this is nothing more than a technicality. There is no sure winner in the 2007 World Series of Poker. A lot of the players have been up and down, some dramatically. Kravchenko has been relatively consistent.
If you love the World Series of Poker, you will love betting on these players to win. These odds are only available until prior to the start of the final play on Tuesday afternoon. We recommend opening an account prior to 12 pm Tuesday July 17 here.
Philip Hilm 7 to 2 odds
Tuan Lam 7 to 2 odds
Jon Kalmar 4 to 1 odds
Raymond Rahme 8 to 1 odds
Lee Childs 8 to 1 odds
Lee Watkinson 7 to 2 odds
Hevad "Rain" Khan 4 to 1 odds
Jerry Yang 9 to 1 odds
Alex Kravchenko 9 to 1 odds
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Ace King, Gambling911.com
Originally published July 17, 2007 9:11 am ET
