PokerStars Announces Russian Poker Tour
The next element of the PokerStars-sponsored series of worldwide, regionally themed poker tours has been announced with the creation of the Russian Poker Tour (RPT). PokerStars, in association with the Russian Poker Tour, has announced the first two venues servicing one of poker's fastest-growing markets.
The inaugural RPT event will be held January 25 - February 1, 2009 in St. Petersburg, and will carry a $5,000 buy-in. The Moscow stop has also been announced, which will be held February 22-28, 2009 and boasts a $10,000 buy-in.
Two emerging Russian superstars have already become members of the vaunted Team PokerStars Pro after experiencing success on the international poker stage. Alex Kravchenko claimed a bracelet in the 2007 WSOP and nearly took down another in that year's Main Event, while Ivan Demidov fell just short of an unimagined double, finishing third in the 2008 WSOP-Europe Main Event after qualifying for the delayed final table of the 2008 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas, where he eventually finished as the runner-up. Both Russian stars are expected to be on hand for the RPT stops, highlighting a strong international field.
PokerStars is already running satellites for the RPT St. Petersburg stop, priced as low as $2.22 or 111 Frequent Player Points (FPPs). These satellites will be available until December 30, 2008. Final winners will receive a prize package valued at $8,000, which includes the tournament buy-in, accommodations and an expense allowance.
More information on the Russian Poker Tour is available at http://www.pokerstars.com/rpt/.
