Russian Poker Tour 2009 Blog

Read Kirill's April ECPT Salzburg 2009 Blog

May 2009

Kirill Magnusov stayed close to home for his second tournament as a Titan Team member when he competed over three days at the Russian Poker Tour event in Moscow, Russia.This is his reflection of the event.

The largest poker tournament in Russia took place in Moscow. There has never been anything like this in Russia before. The main event in the tournament was a Freezeout with an entrance fee of $7000 and the total prize money amounted to almost 1.5 million dollars. It is a shame that I did not have the chance to participate in the Freezeout, but I was lucky enough to participate in three other tournaments with less entrance fees thanks to my sponsorship with Titan Poker.

First Tournament - May 15th, 2009

The first one was a tournament with a $1000 entrance fee. There were quite a lot of players – 181 in total. Unfortunately for me, the good cards did not come to me today and the table was very serious. It was clear to me that an attempt at bluffing would only lead to a substantial loss of chips. After 6 hours of playing I had to go All-in with a short stack with a hand of 3 3. It was, in fact, the only chance I had to gather blinds, because the blinds would just “eat” me later on. However I got 2 calls on my All-in. The first opponent showed 4 4 and the second one – an average of like 10 7 (or shortstack). As a result no improvement took place and I left the tournament taking the 40th spot and of course without a prize.

Kirill arrives for the Russian Poker Tour event in Moscow.

Second Tournament - May 16th, 2009

The tournament on the second day was much more interesting. First of all, the entrance fee was $2000 and we played on short tables (with 6 players) and with larger stacks. I sat with the initial stack until the first brake, and after the brake in the very first deal I got KK. As a result, a risky player was happy to give me half of his stack. After that I recklessly took All-in of the same player having 4 4. No matter that his KJ in this deal was stronger, I knocked him out in a few deals with an А К against his В В. Thus I compiled a rather good stack, a little larger than average. However during a very unlucky attempt of bluffing, I lost a greater part of it, which with rather large blinds was a catastrophe for me. Having a hand of AJo, I went All-in from a small blind and the owner of a large stack took me with Q9s. On the flop a 9 was dealt, no improvement took place and I was now out of the prize zone in about 48th place among 150 players.

Third Tournament - May 17th, 2009

The third tournament on the next day did not bring me any prize money as well. It was a tournament like the one on the first day with a $1000 entrance fee, about 100 players and the usual tables. The deal that decided everything came during the fourth hour of play when I got AhJh. I made a good bet and only one player was left in the game. With a flop I got two hearts and all of the cards were less than 9. My opponent checks and I made a larger bet and he responded. With a turn came small cards as well, the opponent checked, I bet almost like before, he responded. With a River I got an Ace, but I understood that I am likely to be behind my opponent and responded with a check on his check. Thus he showed АКо and a large number of chips went his way. Further on I turned out to be in a push-fold situation and in one of his All-ins I was knocked out of the tournament.

Kirill takes a moment to pose for the camera.

My conclusion is that playing in off-line tournaments is rather tiring and requires great self-control and willpower. It is difficult to admit to yourself after 20-30 hands of 9s and 10s that a hand of Q10s is not the best and that it should be thrown for a large raise. It should also be mentioned that players’ level in such tournaments is very high! First of all, I met many regulars who are veteran gamblers in Moscow casinos, and secondly, there were many guest poker stars from abroad. Despite the result, I am satisfied with everything. Participation in such tournaments is a pleasure in of itself. I’d like to thank Titan Poker for the opportunity to participate in such a significant event! In the future I will definitely analyze my mistakes and will try to justify their trust in me.

Titan Poker congratulates you on an excellent performance and thanks you for a great tournament. See you at the next one!