• Demidov has primarily been an online player. He entered the World Series of Poker's Main Event with just three live tournament cashes and earnings of $65,000, including an 11th-place finish in the World Series' $1,000 No Limit Hold'em event, good for $39,854.

• Demidov made the final table of the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event in October. He finished third, winning $608,995.

PREPARING FOR FINAL TABLE

Demidov has dropped away from the online circuit and has been playing exclusively in live games. However, before the break he took two firsts and a second in four online tournaments.

STRANGE SIGN

The mother of a close friend asked him for an autograph. "It was embarassing, funny and cool at the same time."

HOW HIS LIFE HAS CHANGED

"Making the final table in such a big event gave me confidence in my skills."

TOUGHEST FINAL TABLE FOE

Unlike others, Demidov is willing to say who might be his biggest challenge: Peter Eastgate. "He was the toughest to play against and he is a very strong online player, which I respect a lot."

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ESPN POKER ANALYST NORM CHAD:

"Here's a calendar-year feat for you: Making the WSOP Main Event final table and the WSOP Europe Main Event final table. That's a stunning double. In recent years, Russians are making a bigger impact in poker. Demidov is seldom recklessly aggressive like other 20-somethings. He's smart and measured and overcomes his lack of live tournament experience with a steady countenance and solid reads."