Svetlana finishes second in the EPT Open Sochi in Omaha.
Spunky Svetlana Aubakirova of Kazakhstan snags 2nd place in Omaha competition at EPT Open Sochi series, pocketing $6,100
Let's catch up with Svetlana, fresh off her triumph at EPT Open Sochi 2019 series
- Hey there and congratulations on your awesome victory! Spill the beans about your poker journey!
- I ventured into poker back in 2014, playing with pals in a friendly home game style (Sit&Go), where everyone chipped in small amounts, ranging from 100-300 rubles, and the victor bagged it all. The live tournaments were held in Kapchagai, Kazakhstan, where my mates encouraged me, and I miraculously won a significant tournament with a $500 buy-in, raking in around $10,000 as prize money. Given my limited experience, I cruised through the tournament, and after my win, I was welcomed to join a team of 8 pros. Throughout the year, I played in Borovoe, Kapchagai, and various small WPT series in Kazakhstan.*
- Online play – your thoughts?
- I hardly play online; more like for fun. Believe me, I've gone on a break for about a year from poker, only recently returning, attending EPT Barcelona, and gracing Sochi now.
- Fill us in on your achievements since your poker comeback
- At EPT Barcelona, I scrambled to the money in the Main Event (around $11K) and won some prize money in the National tournament. It could have been better, but I folded my kings to aces and lost the pot. After Barcelona, I trotted off to Cyprus, where I clinched the Main Event trophy from last year for $2,200. This triumph is valuable as it's my highest win, heftiest prize money ($87K), and my initial international journey.*
- Aren't poker tables brimming with testosterone? Do you use your charm as a weapon during the game?
- Frankly, I avoid relying on charm as it can spoil the game. If we take a prime example, you're short-stacked, you turn emotional, and you recklessly bluff with a nut hand, while the other party is passively checking. I had a blast from the past when a player declared his disdain towards women, and I bluffed him all the way to the river, and then he revealed his nut hand. That's been the only time, though. I reckon poker is an intellectual sport where there's no disparity in terms of age, profession, or gender. You'll find experts in mathematics, psychology, business, finance, and more on these tables. So, why should there be a gender divide? After all, poker is a sporting game with one goal in mind – to win!*
- How did the Omaha tourney pan out? Did you sense you’d make it to the final table?
- Me and Omaha share a complex relationship, as initially, I had trouble figuring out a strategy. It took me an eternity to acclimate and observe how opponents play. The only Omaha experience under my belt is virtually non-existent, and I’ve played it exceptionally few times in cash games.*
- With this series, I'm certain you've got ambitious plans!
- Absolutely. The initial day of this series treated me well, winning a satellite ticket to the Main Event, cashing, and eliminating three players. The series is off to a solid start, and I should avoid slacking off. Especially considering it's my third Omaha tournament.*
- Seriously? Third Omaha tournament and such an amazing finish?
- Yes, it's a whole different kettle of fish, as the tactics and discipline required are completely unique. Stubbornly, I persisted, vowing to master Omaha's subtle complexities at some point.*
- Will this victory encourage you to cultivate more interest in Omaha in the future?
- I'm inclined to try my luck in MTTs, but I'll stick to low buy-in Omaha tournaments. After all, this game is exceptionally volatile, and even in tournaments, you must accurately calculate the pots and make split-second decisions on every street. I think I still have a long way to go, learning the intricacies of this wild beast.*
- Got any tips for quick poker success?
- If I could turn back the clock, I'd immerse myself in books, watch instructional videos, and enlist a coach. Avoiding rookie mistakes can significantly save you time and money. In poker, high variance is the norm, and making it to the top 5 isn’t an easy endeavor. Championshpping might seem far-fetched, but it's always a dream. Begin with a fearless, confident mindset.*
Svetlana marked her first visit to Sochi last year to join WSOP Circuit Russia, and she recorded a video interview at that time.
As you might know, Svetlana clinched 2nd place in a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament in this series, bagging $6,100 after a deal.
Currently, Svetlana’s crown jewel in live tournaments stands at $87K, clinched for 1st place in the Main Event of Merit Poker 2018.
Further Reading: Interview with Svetlana
- Svetlana, did you find the Omaha competition in Sochi challenging? Given your limited experience with the game, securing a second place is quite an achievement.
- Indeed, Pot-Limit Omaha can be quite challenging due to its complexities. As I've mentioned, I've only played it sporadically before this tournament, but I'm pleased with my performance. What's more, clinching 2nd place in the Omaha tournament and pocketing $6,100 has definitely boosted my confidence in exploring this variant further.
