Russian superstar Vitaly Lunkin is all smiles after winning his second bracelet in as many years.

He was an unknown coming into the event filled with celebrity poker players, but after winning the 2009 World Series of Poker’s Special 40th Annual $40,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament, Vitaly Lunkin is sure to become a household name.

After winning his second gold bracelet at the WSOP in as many years, Lunkin, who is very methodical at the table, was excited and energetic when he spoke to reporters about the title and winning nearly $1.9 million.

Describe how you feel after winning this tournament.

It’s an unbelievable feeling because last year when I was here I won my first tournament, my first gold bracelet, but it was my first time last year. This year, the same situation repeated — my first tournament and I won the gold bracelet.

How much more difficult was this tournament compared to other games you’ve played in?

It was the most difficult poker tournament in my life.

A lot of people picked the legendary players or the online players to win, but then you come out of nowhere and win the tournament. Talk about that feeling.

Every player at the table was a star and I knew about them, but now I saw them in a real tournament and I’m very happy that I had this chance to battle with them.

Are you a star now too?

I believe so.

What is the Russian secret to poker?

There is no Russian secret. Just play good.

What year were you born?

1971.

When you were born it was the Soviet Union and the United States and there was a Cold War and you grew up in the Soviet Union, a completely different system than what you see here. Would you have thought when you were a boy growing up in the Soviet Union that you would be here winning something like this in Las Vegas?

Of course when I was young I did not think about this because we didn’t have poker and I never had this idea to go to the United States, to Las Vegas. But I think if we didn’t have this barrier between Russia and other countries, probably poker (would have) entered our country earlier.

At the table you’re very calm and controlled, but right now you’re very jittery and very anxious. Talk about how excited you are right now.

During the game I’m all in the game plus I make special exercises that help me control my feelings. But when the game is over I’m just an ordinary man.

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