Erik Shahbazyan on RPT's Future: Challenges, Triumphs, and New Horizons

Erik Shahbazyan, a prominent figure in the poker world, recently shared his thoughts on the future of the Russian Poker Tour (RPT) after separating from PokerStars. He noted that RPT tournaments have grown larger and more frequent since the split.

Shahbazyan highlighted the challenges posed by the ban on casinos and poker in Russia, which has reduced the money flow in offline poker, lowered limits, and decreased the influx of new players. Despite these obstacles, RPT is considering organizing tournaments in Russian gaming zones. However, Shahbazyan finds the current infrastructure lacking, expressing concerns about the distance, accommodation, and overall infrastructure.

One of the significant milestones for RPT was the first tournament in Saint Petersburg in January 2009. This event attracted over 200 players and set a record prize pool, marking a pivotal moment in Russian poker history. Shahbazyan also discussed the upcoming RPT Kyiv, where RPT will manage the gaming process internally. New tournaments and a television poker project are in the works, showcasing RPT's commitment to innovation and growth.