Viktor Kudinov: The Rise, Challenges, and Passion of a Russian Poker Pro

Viktor Kudinov, known as Enlight, is a Russian poker player who has risen from the lowest levels to the highest online limits.

In 2020, Kudinov played 1 million hands at NL1k+ and maintained a rigorous schedule, playing 10-14 hours daily for the entire year. He experienced severe neck pain due to prolonged gaming sessions, which was later diagnosed as hidden depression. Kudinov's goal was to test his limits and build a large bankroll to compete with the strongest players at the highest stakes.

In 2021, Kudinov lost $500k in the first half of the year but continued to play more due to his competitive nature. He took a break from poker in 2022, focusing on cryptocurrency, but eventually returned to poker due to his enduring passion for the game. Kudinov's wife does not understand poker but supports him emotionally.