Maxim

Poker player • In it to win it • Travel to play • Play to travel

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

THE WORLD WILL BE BIG AGAIN

I have 3 won offline packages in my pocket, but I’m trapped inside a war. I’m a poker pro from Ukraine, grinding since 2007. Today is my 42nd birthday. I’m spending it in a rented apartment, looking at the ruins of my home and the tickets to my "old life" that I still haven't been able to use.

It’s been almost 2 years since a missile hit my house in Dnipro. I lost everything - my home, my belongings, and my bankroll. My roll wasn't lost at the tables - it was consumed by a reality where you start from zero with no help. But those packages for @DeepStackOpen and @TheFestivalOG are still with me. The organizers know my situation, and these tickets remain my only lighthouse.

I decided to do a remake of my 8-year-old story about Bratislava. To remember who I am. To remember that I am still a player.

A TALE OF ONE OFFLINE: BRATISLAVA (REMAKE)

Sometimes a trip starts with sitting at home for too long. Before Bratislava, I had a 16-hour eternal grinding mode. Day did not differ from night. Outside, another world existed, but I did not overlap with it.

Then, a trip appears. I still remember the morning of departure in April. I stepped out of my building - for the first time in 3.5 months - and I was overwhelmed: Spring exists. After a long domestic regime, ordinary air feels like a premium product. If they sold it in bottles labeled "Spring, Freedom, April," I would have bought a crate.

First stop - Vienna. It doesn't even try to please - it happens by itself. I love to arrive early. To enter the trip as a human first, a player second. Then Bratislava. Banco Casino. While your girlfriend explores museums, you have your own "excursion": the table, clicking of chips, and reading minds. Hotel breakfast is a small model of heaven. You walk among the trays with the face of a man who wants to take everything but tries to maintain his dignity.

An offline series is a marathon. When you reach the deep stages, the world outside ceases to exist. The Bubble. It’s a thriller. Short stacks turn pale; the crowd gathers for an "All-in" like it's a free iPhone giveaway. When it bursts, the room exhales as if everyone's debts were forgiven at once. I made it.

Then came a final table. Pure competitive drive. Every chip feels like a gold bar for the weight of every decision. When it was over, a "proper emptiness" remained. The poker part went well. Then Vienna again. Decompression - when the casino hum is finally replaced by human joy.

The strangest part is the last day. You made the money, saw the city, but a child-like rebellion starts inside. A refusal to go back to the four walls where you’ll be trapped.

Now I have no PC, no home, and I am currently going through a never-ending cycle of medical boards and bureaucratic hell just to get the legal right to travel. But I am working on it every single day.

Looking at these photos now, I realize: this story wasn't just about poker. One good offline trip is an injection of life. And it seems it's time for my next dose.

Like a phoenix, I will return. Because I know: my world will be big again 🇺🇦🙏

#poker #pokerlive #UDSO #deepstackopen #TheFestivalSeries #Ukraine

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

Hi Emery,
Thank you so much for your kind words — they mean more than you know. 🙏
Today, one small step I’m taking is allowing myself to be more open and visible, even when my OCD tells me to hide. Sharing this thread was a big move, and your support makes it feel worth it.

I’m curious — what helps you stay grounded when things feel overwhelming?

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

🧵 This follows my thread about living with OCD, trauma, and escape.

For years, I waited for the “right time” to get better.
There was always something: war, money, health, survival.
But now I know — the right time is now.

I’m ready to fight.
To recover.
To start again — not someday, but today.

If any part of my story touched you — please share it.
Your support could change a life.
Maybe not just mine.

🔁 Boost if you can.
🧠 @iocdf @madeofmillions @NoCDsupport @ocdaction @ocd_talk

👉 Start here: https://t.co/ZnoBnfles4

#OCD #OCDRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #OCDsupport

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

🧵 1/7 Most people think #OCD is just about hand-washing.
Mine turned my home into a prison.
My mind — into a war zone.
It stole years. Broke relationships.
Made me believe “clean” was more important than love, freedom, or life itself.
This is my story.

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

7/7 I’ve lost my home. I’ve lost love. I’ve lost almost everything -except myself. But I want to fight for what remains. I want to reach @theocdclinic and document the journey: pain, treatment, hope. To prove recovery’s possible—even from the worst #OCD. Please share. I’m ready.

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

🧵 1/7 Most people think #OCD is just about hand-washing.
Mine turned my home into a prison.
My mind — into a war zone.
It stole years. Broke relationships.
Made me believe “clean” was more important than love, freedom, or life itself.
This is my story.

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

6/7 I want to heal. Not just survive — but truly recover. There’s a professional #OCD clinic — @theocdclinic — based in Ireland and Malta. I dream of going there for treatment — to finally be free. And to share my journey publicly, to give hope to others.

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

Today I am not getting old, I am just becoming more valuable! 😎
Age is just a number, but the number of congratulations is a real indicator!😄
If you want to congratulate, a donation is like a gift in an envelope, only faster!😌
https://t.co/dMdT8SchO3
Thank you for being there!

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

Another arrival in the center of Dnipro, as a result of which the Mechnikov Hospital (the main hospital of the city), as well as nearby residential buildings, were damaged. At present, we already know about 5 victims, many more injured, an 8-year-old girl had her arm torn off 😢

The hospital is the only goal, since there are no other strategic objects nearby 😔
Just the other day I photographed her while doing autumn landscapes.
The hospital has been operating since 1798.

I visit these places regularly and walk through these places every day; I go to lunch and shops nearby.
The gym is located there; my way there passes through the hospital grounds. I also go to the stadium to run. Therefore, I estimate the probability of ending up somewhere nearby as quite high.

Yesterday at 23.00 I was already getting ready for bed. Suddenly there was a strong explosion. The shaking of the house and the window panes was the maximum during the entire time I have been here. And 4 months have already passed since the rocket destroyed my house 😔
#Dnipro #Ukraine️ #UkraineRussiaWar️️ #UkraineWarNews #hospitalwar #UkrainianRussianWar

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

Dear poker players, OCD community and friends,

today marks two months since I lost my home. For those who don't know, on June 28, a Russian missile struck a 10-story apartment building in the city of Dnipro.
I wasn't home at the time, but now I have nowhere to live. Local authorities have indicated that the dismantling of the damaged parts of the building and the technical assessments could continue until mid-2025. It's likely that the building will need to be demolished but this will only be confirmed after the assessment. Currently, the building's residents have no access to their apartments — even those whose units remain relatively intact — and are not receiving any financial assistance.
Over the past two months, I've tried not to dwell on what happened and have focused on doing more sports. I don’t play #poker now — it's hard for me to concentrate. My #OCD related to cleanliness, which I have struggled with for many years, has worsened. I understand that a place where I can feel comfortable won't be available anytime soon.
I would be grateful for any help. Thank you. Details for donation:

Skrill: [email protected]

USDT TRC20:
TAXUfc97wENMHdeGQ8yU9g9GGoQdfb7agC

SEPA details:
IBAN: GB76CLJU00997188314921
BIC code: CLJUGB21
Receiver:
Kobeza Maksym

SWIFT details in USD:
IBAN: UA283220010000026202346410663
SWIFT/BIC code: UNJSUAUKXXX
Receiver:
Kobeza Maksym
Address: 49005,Ukraine, reg. Dnipropetrovska, c. Dnipro, st. Hlobynska, build 1

#pokerplayer #pokerstars #Ukraine #Dnipro #OCDTalkHour #OCDCon

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

I haven’t stayed this long for a long time, but the occasion is simply wonderful! I won again a Bounty Builder at @PokerStars 🥳🥰🏆
This time with a buy-in of $16,5
For the first place received $2,161 😊

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

I added to my collection of won tournaments on @PokerStars 🤗 $4,40 Bounty Builder have been added there 🥳 But I still really want to win at least one tournament of #SCOOP series. For now this remains just a dream😇 Tomorrow I will continue to play and work on it 🙂

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

The only poker room that congratulated me on my birthday and gave me a gift. Previously, there were many more such rooms. Thank you, @ACR_POKER !

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

@yeseniapao @PokerStars Thanks 😊

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

I have never had first place with so many participants! 😎 I'm just saying I'm full of pleasure 😊 I finished first out of 6,050 entrants and received $3,117.50 + $148.96 in elimination rewards. I will be glad to accept congratulations from @PokerStars 😇 #poker

[Maxim @_dont_stop_now]

@Nagenrsm @PokerStars Thanks bro