In recent weeks, Bulgaria’s #1 ranked Alex alexd2Dimitrov (pictured) hit $1 million in career online tournament winnings. Almost 60% of that total has come on PokerStars, where he plays as grinder1992, and he has shot up to #49 in the world in the PocketFives Rankings. In June, he final tabled the Super Tuesday for $45,000 and, in January, he was the runner-up in the 888 Poker Whale for $42,000. Not too shabby.

PocketFives: Congrats on hitting $1 million in tracked scores. Tell us how you’re feeling about it.

Alex Dimitrov: I am feeling great. This was one of the goals I set for this year and I am very proud I managed to hit it about three months earlier than the deadline.

PocketFives: Why was it one of your goals? Did you ever think you’d reach this level when you started playing?

Alex Dimitrov: In March, I had around $660,000 in winnings and that was for three years of professional play. I thought, “Can I push myself to $1 million by the end of 2015?” It looked very impossible to me at the time and looked like a hard challenge. When I was starting, I was actually very confident about myself playing and was sure I was going to reach such levels and winnings. I am sure I will go even higher from now on.

PocketFives: Your eight largest tracked scores are all from this year. Which one was the most memorable and why?

Alex Dimitrov: I think the most memorable one for now is definitely my largest score, a third place finish in the Super Tuesday. I have always found this tournament to be extremely hard to go deep in. I was kind of surprised and very happy at the same time when I made the top three.

PocketFives: What did you do in the weeks leading up to that score to change your game?

Alex Dimitrov: I have always told anyone who asked that I learn the game while playing. I was playing a lot, was in a great run, and this result was a logical part of that. I tried new things and lines against different players and started experimenting a lot.

PocketFives: What do you think of PartyPoker and PokerStars changing their policies toward HUDsand third-party software?

Alex Dimitrov: Since I played four or five months without a HUD at the beginning of this year, I do not think it is impossible these days to be a pro with no such tools. I personally like using a HUD, but am not familiar with most of the other programs, so I prefer a HUD to be accepted and the others removed. It would be better for me.

PocketFives: What do you do away from poker? What else interests you?

Alex Dimitrov: I have many interests. I am an action- and adrenaline-hunter. I like high speeds and also like traveling a lot. I am going on a winter vacation for about seven months next month, so I can’t wait to see what happens there. I expect a lot of action.

PocketFives: What is the most memorable place you’ve traveled and why?

Alex Dimitrov: The most memorable place I have traveled is probably somewhere in Austria for winter vacation. I have been there a couple of times. As a snowboarder, I have found lots of nice places to ride there, so that’s why I like it so much.

PocketFives: Is there anyone you’d like to recognize?

Alex Dimitrov: I’d like to thank all of the people who have helped me get to this level in poker. A special thanks to bah23, alcos, and noober, who have helped me a lot. Also, I want to say to all of the players who are on the road to completing their goals: believe enough in them and one day they will all become true.

Congrats to alexd2 on hitting $1 million in career online tournament winnings.

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