Russian poker: With its recent official designation as a sport, poker has found an unlikely new ally in the East
HOW TO GET THERE
Many airlines from Aeroflot to British Airways run daily flights from London to Moscow and St Petersburg with prices starting from around £200.
Austrian Airlines tends to offer the cheapest deals. Be warned though, as you will need a tourist visa. You cannot obtain a visa at the border, so you need to apply for it before travelling.
This will set you back about £85 and can be obtained online from www. visitrussia.org.uk, but make sure you have at least one night of accommodation booked before you apply.
GETTING AROUND
The Moscow metro system is one of the world’s most heavily used and efficient train services and each station is an architectural piece of art in its own right. A saver ticket that allows you 20 trips within the month will set you back a massive £2.50. St Petersburg is a six-hour train ride away. Fares start at £20 return.
EAT, SLEEP, DRINK MOSCOW
The five-star Metropol Hotel, home to the Casino Metropol, is located just steps from Red Square and a night in a standard double room starts from £220.
Alternatively, the Sovietsky Hotel offers much more reasonable rates starting at £115 per night for a double room and this includes a hearty breakfast buffet. The trendy Yar restaurant is situated in the downstairs of the hotel.
If you are looking for a drink, you’ll be spoilt for choice in central Moscow. A favourite with the locals is The Real McCoy, a 24- hour bar with a very western feel. If you’re feeling more daring, you could always visit Moscow’s Hungry Duck, once heralded as one of the craziest bars in the world. TY
POKER: CARD ROOMS
The capital’s youngest poker venue is the Cosmos Casino, host of Russia’s upcoming ‘Moscow Millions’. The new Full Tilt poker room is open from 7pm, and on an average night there are four cash tables in action with a minimum buy-in of $50 and Omaha, hold’em and stud tables. There is also a daily $25 re-buy no-limit hold’em tournament at 9pm.
For a high- roller experience, head to the Casino Metropol. The exclusive venue is part of the five-star Metropol Hotel and has a formal dress code and high-limit games. Novy Arbat Street, Moscow’s answer to the strip, also has several large neon-lit casinos.
In St Petersburg, you should visit the Golden Garden Casino, home of the St Petersburg Party Poker Open. It has a daily $200 freezeout at 9pm and a $300 freezeout at 1am. Every Tuesday these increase to $500 and $1,000 tournaments.
THE MOSCOW MILLIONS
The Moscow Millions is the biggest poker tournament ever to take place in Russia. It is due to take place between 20 and 22 October at the new Full Tilt Poker Club in Moscow’s Cosmos Casino.
The buy-in is a chunky $10,500, and many of the Full Tilt pros such as Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer and Erik Seidel are expected to make the trip East.
There are currently satellites running daily on Full Tilt to qualify for the main event from as little as $4.40.
If you like playing poker abroad then make sure you take a free subscription to Poker Player magazine with you
