Every major live poker series has its share of big names and direct buy-in entrants, but WSOP Paradise also highlighted another side of the game — players who earned their seats online and turned low-cost qualifiers into real opportunities. The Super Main Event in the Bahamas showcased just how far a single satellite entry can go when preparation and timing align.
The $26,000 buy-in Main Event featured a historic $60 million guarantee and a massive final prize pool over $72 Million. Alongside high-stakes regulars were 100 players who qualified through online satellite tournaments on ACR Poker.
One of those qualifiers was Dmitry Lukyanov. His journey began with an $11 super satellite on ACR, which turned into a WSOP Paradise package and a deep run in the Super Main Event. Lukyanov advanced to a 251st-place finish, earning $55,000 and adding another milestone to a poker story shaped by resilience and perspective.
We sat down with Dmitry Lukyanov to learn more about his poker background, his path to WSOP Paradise, and the experiences that have defined his journey in the game.
ACR: How did you first get introduced to poker?
DL: I discovered poker back when I was a university student in Moscow.
ACR: What games or formats do you typically play (cash, tournaments, online, live)?
DL: I enjoy tournaments, especially live ones. I’m not a professional player — I play when I have time after work or when I’m not busy with family. Poker for me is fun and adventure, not a source of income.
ACR Poker: What stakes or types of events do you feel most comfortable with?
DL: I usually play live tournaments in the $100–$1,000 range. It’s the level that matches my approach — enjoying the game while staying comfortably within my hobby budget.
ACR: Do you primarily play on ACR or other platforms as well?
DL: I rarely play online, but when I do, it’s only on large and well-known platforms — ACR or GGPoker. And it was on ACR that I won my seat to the Bahamas for just $11.
ACR: What’s a memorable or standout moment from your poker career so far?
DL: Recently I took part in the most popular poker show in Russia, “Late Night Poker” (“Вечерний Покер” in Russian). Our episode has already reached nearly 600,000 views. Being part of that project was an unforgettable experience.
ACR: What does winning the WSOP Paradise package mean to you personally?
DL: It’s a huge joy and a truly special moment for me. Qualifying for a world-class event through an $11 satellite is the kind of story that I will remember forever. ACR gave me the chance to play one of the most beautiful poker festivals in the world — and to spend December in the Bahamas, while back in Russia it’s freezing and snowing. 😊
ACR: Anything else about your poker story you’d like to share?
DL: A year ago, I was in a serious car accident. My car flipped over, I was injured, and I had to undergo major surgery. And yet — just one month after the operating table, I found myself at the final table of an ACR live series, playing for $380,000 for the winner. I finished 9th, but that moment became a symbol for me. Life can flip you over like a car, but it can also lift you from the operating table back to the poker table. Since then, I’ve learned to appreciate every moment — both at the tables and beyond. WSOP Paradise is another chance to live something bright, unexpected, and truly unforgettable.
Lukyanov’s story is one of many that emerged from the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, where online qualifiers earned their place on poker’s biggest stage.
With an $11 online satellite turning into a WSOP Paradise package and a $55,000 finish in the largest guaranteed live poker tournament ever held, Lukyanov’s run underscores how accessible the biggest stages in poker can still be. For players willing to take their shot, online qualifiers remain a genuine path from small buy-ins to meaningful results on the world’s most prestigious tables.
