Burning Man is an annual gathering of the creative community in the Black Rock Desert, held annually from the last Sunday in August. It’s a temporary city built on principles of radical inclusion, gifting, non-commercialism, self-reliance, and self-expression —values that give weddings on the playa a unique atmosphere and symbolism. It was here that Liv Boeree and Igor Kurganov exchanged vows after 11 years together.
British-born Liv Boeree is one of the most recognizable faces in the world of poker. In 2010, she won the record-breaking EPT San Remo Main Event, catapulting her to elite status. After a hiatus, she made a grand return, finishing fourth in the Super Main Event at WSOP Paradise in December 2024, earning the largest cash prize of her career ($2.8 million). Beyond poker, Liv is a science communicator and podcast host for Win-Win.
Her newlywed husband, Igor Kurganov, is a Russian-born player representing Germany, a long-time high roller regular and respected strategist. His breakthrough came with a win at the EPT High Roller in Monte Carlo in 2012. Over the last decade, he has been deeply involved in philanthropy and investments, co-founding the charity REG with Liv.
We’ve followed their stories in our Beyond Poker series, where we explore the careers, impacts, and future plans of poker stars beyond the tables. You can read their stories here:
Beyond Poker: Liv Boeree - from WSOP Success to AI Warnings
Beyond Poker: From High Stakes to High Impact – Igor Kurganov's Mission to Save Lives
Liv and Igor are one of the few couples to win a WSOP gold bracelet side by side. In 2017, they dominated the inaugural $10k Tag Team event, a victory that remains one of the iconic moments of modern WSOP, partly because a portion of their winnings went to charity.
In 2014, the pair co-founded Raising for Effective Giving (REG), a platform teaching the poker community to donate effectively and sustainably. REG was launched during the WSOP in Las Vegas, bringing a clear framework of "earning to give" to the scene.
Today, they balance poker, media, philanthropy, and scientific-technological topics — occasionally returning to poker. If they decide to sit at final tables again, they'll do so with the same mindset that led them to their shared bracelet — and now their "I do" on the world's dustiest wedding aisle.
For players who have lived by the rhythm of travel, final tables, and endless tournaments, Burning Man represents a symbolic counterpoint — a place where money is not the measure, but community, creativity, and experience are.
The wedding in the desert is not just a romantic gesture; it is a statement of their values: freedom, responsibility, and the willingness to give back. And that's how we remember them at the tables —thoughtful, value-driven, and always a step ahead of the trends. We wish them all the best in their shared life!
Sources – X, PokerNews, YouTube
