Poker Tournament Results

Russian Poker Championship

Mel Judah

Tournament Report

A large crowd of keen local & overseas poker players were gathered together here at Cosmos Casino, within the hotel complex built specially for the 1980 Olympic Games, in anticipation of the opening event. Dmitry Lesnoy,the genial tournament host & a true gentleman of the Moscow games scene, as well as being the president of The Intellectual Games League of Russia, made the introductory speech welcoming all contestants & introducing the tournament director, Australian Keith”Bendigo”Sloan. Excitement was high for the locals as this was expected to be the biggest poker tournament ever attempted here in Russia. The event started with 82 players & with an incredible 181 re-buys & add-ons, the prizepool was $26,300 (USD). Well-known poker player,Australian Mel Judah took out 1st prize,with 6 of the 9 finalists from Russia. Emile Elias of France & Tony Joseph formerly of Australia & now living in Lebanon,were the other 2 international players on the final table. As usual when Bendigo Sloan is directing,the tournament ran smoothly & efficiently. The live action saw several tables in action,with one huge game of Omaha High Pot Limit & another of Dealer's Choice Hi Lo,where pots were consistently in the range of $2,000 - $5,000.