Leon Tsoukernik Fighting for His Life in Hospital After Sedative Overdose

The poker world is in shock as King’s Casino founder and owner Leon Tsoukernik faces the battle of his life – in a hospital bed. The popular King’s resort owner and high stakes player suffered an overdose after taking Propofol – the drug detailed in the death of Michael Jackson – a strong sedative.

What Happened at Leon Tsoukernik’s Home?

“We had two crews with a doctor on site.”

Leon Tsoukernik, who last year sold the $400 million stake he held in the infamous King’s Resort in Rozvadov on the German-Czech border, is fighting for his life. The high roller and popular Czech poker player was found in his home on Monday in Czech Republic and immediately rushed to hospital after taking Propofol, a dangerous sedative.

A police statement told bystanders that they “…handed over the patient to the air ambulance in serious condition.” According to the Czech news website Novinky.cz, Tsoukernik is understood to have taken propofol in an “unprofessional intravenous administration” and rather than succumb to mere unconsciousness, entered difficulties, whereupon the authorities were called.

Andrea Divišová, a regional emergency services spokesperson, confirmed, “We had two crews with a doctor on site. The police commissioner has initiated criminal proceedings.”

Police spokesperson Iva Vršecká said: “We are investigating possible illegal behavior that may have occurred at an undetermined time in Chodová Planá. There was a 51-year-old unconscious man who was airlifted for medical treatment. The police commissioner has initiated criminal proceedings on suspicion of committing the particularly serious crime of grievous bodily harm. All the circumstances of the case are the subject of further investigation.”

What is the Sedative Propofol?

Propofol is, of course, the drug administered by his doctor to pop music legend Michael Jackson, leading to his death in 2009. Unable to sleep, ‘Jacko’ was mistakenly killed after taking sedatives to survive a gruelling pre-tour rehearsal schedule, one that sadly was never fulfilled. Propofol is a powerful anaesthetic that should only ever be administered by a medical professional. It is intended for ‘short-term anaesthesia’, and if used wrongly, can prompt severe respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Jackson used to call it his ‘milk’ as the color of the drug when administered intravenously by – among others – Dr. Conrad Murray, was similar to milk.

Propofol’s common nickname, ‘milk of amnesia’, is also known as Diprivan and back in 2011, it led to the conviction for involuntary manslaughter of Dr. Murray. Adminstered via drip or injection, it can be deadly.

A Loyal Fanbase

With poker fans and players all around the world concerned about Tsoukernik’s health, his long-time friend and often rival at the felt, Tony Guoga a.k.a. ‘Tony G’ told fans of his concerns before heading to see Tsoukernik at the hospital.

“I hope that the rumours are not true about Leon Tsoukernik’s overdose on Propofol,” he said. “I have never heard of this drug. I hope for call from him and my thoughts are with all friends and family.”

As of Wednesday, Tony G updated PokerNews on the condition of his friend, telling the poker reporting site that Tsoukernik was still in a “very serious condition”.

For much of the last decade, Tsoukernik has been a huge presence at the poker felt and behind the scenes. Playing many events, his best result so far in his career is the $1.8 million he came fourth in the $300,000-entry 2017 Super High Roller Bowl in Las Vegas.

Arguably Tsoukernik’s best performance was in the €100,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold‘em Short Deck Super High Roller event that while it wasn’t a bracelet event, took place at the 2019 WSOP Europe hosted at his own King’s Resort. Heads-up, Tsoukernik beat Phil Ivey to the $1.2 million top prize and cemented his reputation as not only one of poker’s biggest benefactors, but also one of its most prominent players.

Everyone at Tight Poker hopes that Leon Tsoukernik will return to the poker felt very soon and makes a full and swift recovery.