Puchkov had gone cashless in three prior World Series of Poker Series, including 21 events in 2009 prior to winning a bracelet in his first in the money finish. He claims his 21 events without cashing is a record. He also says that at both the 2007 and 2008 World Series of Poker, he only played in the main event. He names all the horses that he breeds after poker terms. According to his World Poker Tour profile, he began playing poker exclusively in Russia, before playing internationally in 2007.