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Anatoly Zlotnikov (often indexed as Anatoliy Zlotnikov) is a premier Russian professional poker player and a celebrated champion on the international high-stakes circuit. Originally from Moscow, Zlotnikov has transitioned from a dominant force in the Sochi regional scene to a global "end-boss" in the world's most exclusive tournaments. Known for his technical brilliance and high-volume success in both live and online arenas, he is currently ranked among the Top 55 on the Russia All-Time Money List. In 2026, Zlotnikov remains a titan of the game, recently surpassing the $1.8 million live earnings milestone and recording a historic multi-million dollar score in the WSOP Online Main Event.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total combined earnings now estimated at over $4,890,000 across live and online platforms (according to The Hendon Mob), Anatoly Zlotnikov is one of Russia's most decorated modern pros. His career reached a legendary peak in September 2025, when he finished as the runner-up in the WSOP Online Main Event for a massive $3,006,763. Proving his live proficiency, Zlotnikov also holds a Triton Poker Series title, won in Cyprus in 2023 for $496,100. In early 2026, he has maintained his elite form with deep runs at Triton One Jeju and final tables at the Sochi Poker Festival. His sustained success contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $7 million.
Major Tournament Results:
Year | Event | Prize |
|---|---|---|
2025 | WSOP Online $5,000 Main Event (2nd) | $3,006,763 |
2023 | Triton Cyprus $25,000 NLH Turbo (1st) | $496,100 |
2024 | WSOP $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha 6-Handed (2nd) | $179,689 |
2025 | WSOP Paradise $25,000 Super Main Event (58th) | $150,000 |
2026 | Triton One Jeju $15,000 NLHE High Roller (41st) | $28,500 |
Biography & Professional Background
Anatoly Zlotnikov’s journey is a masterclass in professional evolution. He first gained notoriety as a "Sochi Legend," dominating the regional circuits in Russia before taking his talents to the European Poker Tour (EPT) and the World Series of Poker (WSOP). A versatile player equally comfortable in No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha, Zlotnikov is also a prominent figure in the poker media space, frequently appearing as a guest analyst and co-host for high-stakes broadcasts like GGMillion$. In 2026, he is regarded as a de facto ambassador for Russian poker, respected for his analytical mind, his contribution to poker strategy through coaching, and his status as a perennial contender for the GPI Player of the Year.
Play Style & Strategy
Zlotnikov is renowned for a "highly clinical, aggressive, and adaptive" play style. His greatest technical edge is his multi-format mastery; his runner-up finish in the WSOP $1,500 PLO event highlights a deep understanding of complex betting structures beyond standard Hold'em. Strategically, he is a proponent of balanced, solver-approved play, but he is equally famous for his ability to find "real-life" exploits against the world's best professionals. His approach emphasizes mental endurance and range precision, making him one of the most difficult European veterans to out-play in the grueling championship structures of the Triton Poker Series and the WSOP.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow Anatoly as he continues his historic 2026 run and chases his first WSOP bracelet:
About the Editor
Derick Elomina is Somuchpoker's Lead Content Writer and Interview Specialist, reporting live from WSOP bracelet events and Asia Pacific poker festivals such as TMT, APT, RDPT and APL Jeju, alongside player features and interviews for the site's Stories section. He discovered poker at 14 playing home games with friends, and by 21 he had entered the industry as a field reporter, starting as a hand reporter before building his current role on the tournament floor.