Vitaly Lunkin started playing at the WSOP in 2006, finishing 829th in the Main Event. In 2008, he won his first bracelet, winning the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event and earning $629,417. The following year, he won his second bracelet and $1,891,018 in the 2009 $40,000 No Limit Hold'em and finished second to Matt Graham in the $10,000 World Championship Pot-limit Omaha event for $419,832.