Demidov: WSOP Backer "Did Not Pay Me".

Demidov: WSOP Backer

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

With the WSOP now underway, thoughts of the Main Event are now looming large, but for one player the tournament brings back some bad memories. According to a recent article by All In Magazine, the 2008 runner-up, Ivan Demidov, didn't ever receive his $5.8 million consolation prize.

Although rumours of a potential problem were floating around the industry as early as 2009, the Russian has now shed some more light on the situation during an interview with All In.

Needing a backer at the time of the 2008 event, Demidov accepted a deal that essentially gave him an all expenses paid trip to the WSOP, but left him with only 20% of any money he won. Despite realising it was a bad deal, Demidov told the magazine that in Russia that's the way things are done and if you want a deal you have to accept it.

"It's probably worse than average, but in Russia you either take this deal or have no deal at all. I always dreamed of going to Las Vegas to play in those big events. So I said yes straight away."

However, despite securing a deal, Demidov explained that he's never been given any of the cash. After the interview went live and was reported on by PocketFives, a number of players questioned how Demidov's backer was actually able to get hold of the money before he did as this isn't WSOP protocol.

However, at this stage, Demidov isn't willing to say any more about the situation. Thanks to his second place finish he was able to secure a contract with PokerStars and open a popular website in Russia which now means he's able to fund his own poker exploits and play without the help of a backer.

Image courtesy of PokerStars.



Tags: Ivan Demidov