Sergey Bortsov

Sergey Bortsov is a professional poker player from Russia. Details on his early life and entry into poker are limited, but he has been active in the live tournament scene since at least 2021. He first drew attention at the 2021 online poker MILLIONS North Cyprus festival, where he demonstrated his ability to make bold plays under pressure.

In September 2021, Bortsov competed in the $2,200 Warm-Up event at online poker MILLIONS North Cyprus, a tournament with 745 entrants and a $1,370,800 prize pool. During Day 2, with 94 players remaining, Bortsov found himself all in preflop holding pocket fours against Ivan Sakharov, who held suited overcards (presumably ace-king or similar). The board ran out favorably for Bortsov, giving him four of a kind (quads) to double his stack. This hand was highlighted by PokerNews as a key moment in the tournament, showcasing Bortsov’s willingness to take calculated risks in coin-flip situations. Although the final result of that event is not recorded for Bortsov, the hand cemented his reputation as a competitive player in the high-stakes satellite circuit.

Bortsov’s most notable achievement to date came in October 2024 at the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus. The stop was held at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, and Bortsov registered for Day 1a of the $1,100 Eureka Main Event. This event drew 220 entrants on its first flight, part of a massive field of 2,803 total entries that built a prize pool of $2,662,850. Bortsov got off to a strong start by catching an opponent in a bluff early on, nearly doubling his starting stack. He steadily built his chips throughout the day and, when the flight concluded, emerged as the chip leader with 598,000 chips, the only player besides Mateusz Sikora to cross the 500,000 mark. He bagged first place among the 33 survivors, positioning himself well for Day 2. The eventual champion of the event was Leo Worthington-Leese, who won $314,030. Bortsov’s deep run in this major series demonstrates his ability to compete against a large international field.

From the limited hand histories available, Bortsov appears to play a disciplined, solid game. He is capable of reading opponents and making timely bluffs, as evidenced by his early read in the 2024 Eureka Main Event that allowed him to nearly double up. He also shows a willingness to risk his tournament life in favorable spots, such as his all-in with pocket fours in 2021 which resulted in quads. His style can be described as tight-aggressive, focusing on well-timed aggression and careful bankroll management. While he has not yet claimed a major title, his consistent cashes in medium-buy-in events suggest strong fundamental skills and adaptability.

Sergey Bortsov’s live tournament earnings, as of early 2025, are not fully aggregated in public databases, but his biggest known cash likely comes from the 2024 Eureka Main Event (minimum cash for Day 2 qualification was already in the money). Combined with his earlier results, he has established himself as a respected grinder on the European tour. His chip-leading performance at a PokerStars EPT stop is a significant accomplishment, placing him among the top contenders in a competitive field. As he continues to accumulate experience, Bortsov has the potential to secure a breakthrough victory in the future.