Maxim Lykov Wins the PokerStarts EPT Kyiv Main Event

Russia can now boast of having a PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) champion. Poker Pro Maxim Lykov became the 1st Russian poker pro to achieved an EPT win on August 23rd, 2009, taking down the 5,000 euros PokerStars European Poker Tour Kyiv Main Event and its 330,000 euros 1st place cash prize. Lykov practically went wire-to-wire, securing the chip lead on Day Two at the Kyiv Sports Palace and never letting go.

Lykov said when he had the overall chip on Day Two and Three, he really felt confident that he would make it to the final table of the event. He said that he is very proud of this win. He added that Russia and Ukraine are very close to one another so he feels that he have won for both countries. Lykov said that it was a very hard event but he believed that he could do it and he was very focused.

The first stop of the European Poker Tour's 6th season attracted a total of 296 participants from thirty-three different countries to the Ukrainian capital, creating a cash pool of $1,391,200.

Having finished in 3rd place at the 2009 World Series of Poker's $5,000 No-Limit Holdem Shootout for $145,000, the win increased the 21 year-old Moscow native's career poker to more than 600,000 euros.

September 06, 2009
Michael Orwell