This 31-year-old Botabayev is no stranger to money, having worked in the banking sector for many years. Though he has shown great skill over the past few days amassing an impressive stack of almost 1.5 million, the married father of two confesses that the APPT Macau Main Event is his first major international tournament and he only took up the game two years ago. “Honestly, I don’t believe it,” the humble Botabayev said. “I have only ever played cash games and small tournaments in Russia. I’m so excited to play this final table!”