Moving the first PokerStars.net European Poker Tour event in the former Soviet Union from Moscow, Russia to Kiev, Ukraine didn’t stand in the way of a Russian poker player coming out on top. Twenty-one year old Maxim Lykov outlasted a field of 296 players to win the €330,000 ($475,000 US) first place prize.

Lykov was the chipleader at the end of each of the final three days of the event. On the final hand of the night Lykov eliminated hometown hero Alexander Dovzhenko to claim the title.

“On days two and three, I really felt quite confident that I would make the final. I am very proud to win this tournament. It was a hard contest but I believed I could do it,” said Lykov following his win. Dozhenko, the only Ukrainian player at the final table, walked away with €220,000 ($316,000 US) for his runner-up performance.

The eight-handed final table included three Russians, a Belarussian, a Ukrainian as well as one player each from Poland, Holland and Germany. The highest finish by an American player was the 13th place showing from Andrew Malott.

The event was originally scheduled to take place in Moscow but following the Russian government’s decision to remove the sport designation from poker, PokerStars.net decided to move the event to Ukraine.

The next EPT stop is in Barcelona beginning September 4.

ETP kieve Final Table Payouts

1. Maxim Lykov - €330,000
2. Alexander Dovzhenko - €220,000
3. Vitaly Tolokonnikov - €140,000
4. Arthur Simonyan - €100,000
5. Lucasz Plichta - €80,000  
6. Ad Schaap - €60,000
7. Torsten Tent - €45,000  
8. Vadim Markushevski   €30,000

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