Artur Martirosian Wins EPT Sochi Main Event as Live Poker Makes Its Return

April 2nd, 2021 | by Jason Reynolds

Artur Martirosian picked up his maiden European Poker Tour (EPT) title after taking down PokerStars’ first major live event of 2021.

Artur Martirosian has won the first live EPT main event of 2021 inside Casino Sochi. (Image: PokerStars)

The Russian has been making waves on the tournament scene for the last 12 months. An impressive run in 2020’s Super High Roller Bowl Online proved his worth and, now, he’s got a live title to back it up.

Martirosian beat a bumper field of 852 entrants inside Russia’s Casino Sochi to pick up a top prize worth ₽24,633,000/$325,316.

Masses Descend on Casino Sochi

The $2,311 EPT Sochi main event was stacked with local players. With COVID-19 restrictions making travel almost impossible for most, only a few players from neighboring countries were able to attend.

Despite the restrictions, this year’s EPT Sochi main event attracted 215 more players than in 2020.

That’s not only a testament to the appetite for post-COVID poker but the game’s growing popularity in Russia.

Martirosian faced stiff competition throughout the event. However, when the final table played out on March 28, he looked in complete control at all times.

As is often the case at EPT final tables, there were threats all around, but Vladislav Naumov was by far the biggest.

Artur Martirosian Claims EPT Sochi Gold

Naumov has more than $400,000 in live tournament earnings and made the final table of last year’s EPT Sochi main event.

He finished sixth on that occasion but went four places better this year. However, he couldn’t find a way past Martirosian.

The two sparred back-and-forth but it was Martirosian who came out top. After claiming his first EPT title, he admitted that a deal was never on the cards as he had his eye on the prize.

EPT Sochi Main Event Results

1 – Artur Martirosian – $325,316

2 – Vladislav Naumov – $197,537

3 – Mukhtar Taysi – $139,352

4 – Fanis Khafizov – $104,519

5 – Yuriy Brechalov – $82,369

6 – Anton Smirnov – $61,661

7 – Vladimir Bozinovic – $43,356

8 – Roman Gadzhiev – $30,479

As well as being confident in his final table abilities, Martirosian told PokerStars’ reporters that he really wanted the trophy. It was that confidence and focus that, ultimately, landed him the win.

“The trophy has such a cool design – it was one of the reasons why I did not think of cutting a deal,” Martirosian said after his victory.

He now has over $1.1 million in tournament earnings and, at just 23 years old, Martirosian will be one to watch as live events emerge from their COVID-induced hiatus.