Anatoly Gurtovy

Anatoly Gurtovy (sometimes spelled Gurtovoy) is a Russian poker player from St. Petersburg. Unlike many professional players, Gurtovy considers poker primarily a hobby, with his main source of income coming from his work in the drinks distribution industry. Despite his recreational approach, his tournament results demonstrate significant skill and consistency. He maintains a low public profile and rarely gives interviews.

Gurtovy's most notable achievement came in October 2016 at the €1,000,000 No-Limit Hold'em Big One for One Drop Invitational, held during the One Drop Extravaganza in Monte Carlo. This event featured a €1 million buy-in, one of the highest in poker history. Gurtovy navigated through a field of the world's wealthiest and most skilled players to finish runner-up, earning $5,954,276. This single cash accounts for the vast majority of his lifetime tournament earnings and places him among Russia's all-time money leaders.

Gurtovy has a strong track record on the European Poker Tour (EPT). His first major EPT score came in October 2009 at the EPT Warsaw Main Event, where he finished 8th out of 203 entries, earning zł133,570 (approximately $46,000). In 2011, he placed 14th in the EPT London Main Event (£27,000) and 4th in a €5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Single Reload event at EPT Barcelona (€91,699). The following year, he achieved his best EPT Main Event finish: 12th in the 2012 EPT Grand Final Monte Carlo €10,000 Main Event, earning €70,000. He also cashed in the 2012 EPT Barcelona Main Event (28th for €24,650) and the 2013 EPT London Main Event (48th for £12,500). In 2014, he placed 21st in the €25,500 No-Limit Hold'em Eight Max at EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final ($78,813).

Beyond the EPT, Gurtovy has recorded several high-stakes cashes. In September 2012, he finished runner-up in the No-Limit Hold'em High Roller event at the Partouche Poker Tour Grand Final, earning $63,471. In January 2012, he placed 4th in the No-Limit Hold'em Turbo Six Max High Roller at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure ($75,950). He also cashed in the 2016 EPT Grand Final FPS side event (50th for $4,076). His total recorded live tournament earnings exceed $6.5 million, with 13 total cashes according to some databases, though his WSOP.com profile lists 7 cashes for $263,437 (primarily from EPT events).

Gurtovy is known for a solid, fundamentally sound playing style. He emphasizes bankroll management, position awareness, and selective aggression, avoiding unnecessary risks. His decisions are driven by long-term expected value rather than short-term fluctuation. Despite his amateur status, he has proven capable of competing with top professionals, as evidenced by his deep runs in high-roller events. In the poker community, he is often labeled as a "Russian solid" or "pragmatic" player who stays out of the spotlight. His ability to achieve such results while treating poker as a side pursuit has earned him respect among peers.

Gurtovy's first EPT cash came in January 2009 at the EPT Bahamas Main Event, where he finished 149th out of 1,347 entrants for $12,500. Later that year, he achieved his first EPT final table by placing 8th in the EPT Warsaw Main Event. These early results established his presence on the tour and demonstrated his ability to compete against large fields.

According to WSOP.com, Gurtovy has 7 lifetime cashes from EPT events, totaling $263,437. The Hendon Mob database records 13 total cashes and lifetime earnings of $6,531,502, with $5,954,276 coming from his runner-up finish in the 2016 Big One for One Drop. His largest non-One Drop cash is $92,596 for 12th place in the 2012 EPT Grand Final Main Event. Despite few cashes, his concentration of high finishes has placed him among Russia's tournament earners.

On PokerTube, Gurtovy is described as a player for whom poker is "a hobby first and a money-earner second," with his primary income from the drinks distribution industry. The profile notes his 2016 One Drop runner-up finish and emphasizes that his deep runs against top pros like Pratyush Buddiga and Justin Bonomo prove his skill despite his recreational status. No videos or articles featuring him are listed on the site.