Alexey Makarov, known around the online poker community as the notorious “LuckyGump”, is a professional poker player hailing from the Russian Federation. Though his success has been less than spectacular through 2011, Makarov’s innovative approach and intensity for the game have turned a lot of heads, including that of Ilari “Ilari FIN” Sahamies, who dropped a $161k pot into LuckyGump’s lap on Feb 24, 2012.
70K PLO Pot involving Alexey
Makarov’s claim to shame is his performance throughout 2011. He started the year with a bankroll of more than $650k, falling slowly throughout the first half of the year only to see a significant slump over the second half, eventually dropping to only 5-digits by the close of 2011. However, his determination never faltered and Alexey remained one of those players that everyone loved to watch.
His luck took a swing for the better in January and February of 2012, boosting his bankroll on the cash tables back up to $700k at PokerStars. He plays the high stakes PLO tables, in cash games, MTTs and SNGs, so frequently that the online poker room has named a regular event after him.
Members of PokerStars can take part in the weekly “Lucky Gump Series”, where they take on Alexey “LuckyGump” Makarov and Denys “diatty” Shcherbakov in a series of tournaments where these two Russian pros have bounties on their heads. PokerStars hosts freerolls, as well as low and medium stakes qualifiers, leading to the weekly $5k freeroll.
Alexey hasn’t done much as a live tournament player. He has drudged up a grand total of $11,196 in live tournament cashes over two victories. The first was a 33rd place finish in the 2010 World Series of Poker Mixed Event #48 worth $5,376. His second live tournament cash was a little more impressive, claiming an outright victory in the Merit Autumn Classic Heads Up NL Holdem event worth another $5,820 on Nov 8, 2011.
Online tournaments have been more affluent for the Russian poker pro. Makarov earned $151k for a 1st place triumph at a 2010 SCOOP $500k GTD event. He then placed 33rd in the Main Event to follow, racking up another $39k.
Makarov is known for his unpredictability on the felt. It is said that he will try anything to outwit his opponents, whether it be an intentional, frivolous bluff, or a fanatical bet intended to put others on tilt. Although he hasn’t always seen success with such a strategy, his efforts over the last few months have resulted in quite the turnaround.
Aside from his documented achievements and infamous downswings at online poker cash tables, not much is known about Alexey Makarov. He first showed up on the radar in 2007 at PL Omaha tables under the moniker “NoPasaran” at Full Tilt Poker. The nickname, translated from Spanish, is an erstwhile battle cry that means “they shall not pass”. He then appeared in 2009 on PokerStars as “LuckyGump” playing $10/$20 and $25/$50 PL Omaha tables, building his bankroll up to $100k before hitting the higher stakes and subsequently losing the majority of his profits throughout 2011. If LuckyGump can perfect his maniacal fashion of poker play, there is no telling where it could lead him.