Russia is famous for many things, billionaires, vodka, Lenin and fit women’s tennis players to name but a few, but up until now we have not heard much about their poker.

That is all changing however, after online giants PartyPoker staged Russia’s largest ever poker tournament in St. Petersburg in in May 2006, with a whopping $500,000 prize pool on offer.

The event was held at the Golden Garden Casino and was won b 27-year-old poker professional Peter Vlasenko.

Valsenko netted $84,000 for his troubles after four days of highly competitive tournament play.