The Russian poker scene is surrounded by a certain mystery.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although the language barrier keeps many of Russia’s biggest poker stars from breaking out on a larger scale, the Russian players have been thriving on the international poker scene over the last few years.<\/p>\n

The charismatic Moscow native, Anatoly Filatov, speaks English very well and seems to engage in all aspects of the poker game.<\/p>\n

He is both the Moscow Wolverines’ Team Manager in the GPL and a consummate grinder at the WSOP.<\/p>\n

‘When asked about being an ambassador for the game he said: ‘That’s exactly what I’m trying to do’.<\/p>\n

‘I like it. I stream on Twitch, try to answer questions and I\u2019ve participated in several conferences. That\u2019s kind of my role.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Spotlight for Filatov<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Filatov Russians poker players haven’t made the poker top for a simple reason.<\/p>\n

‘Russians don\u2019t like to speak English a lot so we\u2019re kind of closed-off sometimes.’<\/p>\n

‘In two or three years or maybe five years I think there will be more well known Russian players.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Russians certainly know how to win tournaments despite the fact that they don’t like to speak English.<\/p>\n

At the WSOP this summer the $3k PLO 6-Max event was taken down by Viatcheslav Ortynskiy and Andrey Zaichenko won the $1.5k 2-7 Triple Draw.<\/p>\n

Filatov said:<\/p>\n

‘Our community isn\u2019t running so hot right now.’<\/p>\n

”Andrey Pateychuk finished 15th in the $2k Hold\u2019em and Mikhail Petrov placed 16th in the $1k Turbo.’<\/p>\n

‘I\u2019m hopeful we can win a third bracelet this summer.’<\/p>\n

‘It helps to have a close-knit group of players to discuss strategy.’<\/p>\n

‘We\u2019re not as close as the German poker community but we usually discuss some things over WhatsApp or conference calls,’ said Filatov. ‘Various hands and strategies.’<\/p>\n

‘We have a few different groups.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

GPL Exceptional Play Wolverines thanks to Filatov<\/h3>\n

Over the course of the inaugural season Filatov’s squad has been one of the most dominant ones. As a Team Manager for the Global Poker Leagues’s Moscow Wolverines he mostly chose Russian players and this underrated strategy at fist seems to pay off now.<\/p>\n

‘It was my plan to pick up the guys that I could connect with.’<\/p>\n

‘Other teams and players seemed to be quite separate. We\u2019re all together. We eat dinner together and discuss hands. I like that. We all speak the same language too.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When called upon to play for his team, Filatov showed to be another added value factor for the Wolverines.<\/p>\n

‘I feel pretty confident,’\u00a0Filatov said.<\/p>\n

‘We\u2019re in first place and I like the experience in the Cube. I really enjoy watching my teammates like Sergey Lebedev and others. We have fun in there.’<\/p>\n

‘Sergey Lebedev is running so hot right now.’<\/p>\n

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Sergey Lebedev.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

‘He\u2019s had a lot of success on the EPT and he just finished 7th in the $5k NLHE here at the WSOP. I think he will play the $111k One Drop High Roller too. I definitely think he could win it.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Poker Style in Russia<\/strong><\/p>\n

The international poker circuit has recently been seeing a lot of Russian poker players. Do Russians have poker knowledge that others in the poker universe yet miss out on?<\/p>\n

‘It\u2019s kind of different. We\u2019re famous for our crazy bluffs. We\u2019re improving every year though.’<\/p>\n

‘Russians play more solid these days because the game has changed and there are less amateurs. We\u2019ve had to change our range.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Before the WSOP 2016 is complete, Filatov hopes to at least add one more bracelet to his already two other won bracelets.<\/p>\n

With only one cash in 16 events, the WSOP has been so mediocre for Filatov himself so far. In the $3k 6-Max event he ended 31st.<\/p>\n

It’s however the perfect time to find his form with the $10k Main Event around the corner.<\/p>\n

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