Everyone is aware of the booming popularity of poker throughout the world but it seems to be particularly prevalent to Russia right now as they have just declared that poker is officially a sport in the country, rather than a 'game of chance', writes Rob Eddy.

Big pots are apparently abound in Russia with Tony G reported to have won a hand worth $3 million earlier this year and the country is getting ready for the Zavidovo Open this week.

It is taking place in a beautiful complex just 60 miles outside Moscow and the heavy hitters of the Russian poker world will be in attendance, including Aussie Millions champion Alex Kostritsyn, Ivan Demidov - a member of the 'November Nine' - Alex Kravchenko, Vitaly Lunkin and Nikolay Evdakov.

Throw into the mix the undoubted talents of Tony G, Patrik Antonius and Phil Ivey and you can see that the tournament will be a pretty hard one to win.

Russian poker players are certainly on a high right now and Demidov is striving to become the first player to win two Main Event bracelets in a single year, having made the final table of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, while he has also been confirmed to compete in the WSOP Europe, which kicks off on September 19.

Kravchenko is certainly a man to keep an eye on after cashing six times in the WSOP 2007, which included a fourth place finish in the Main Event as well as a first gold bracelet for a win in the $1,500 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo event.

Nikolay Evdakov is certainly a man who is in form as well, having cashed ten times in the WSOP in Las Vegas, in both Omaha and No Limit events amongst others, and players will have to keep a watchful eye on his play.

So Russia could provide a number of challengers to the four bracelets on offer in London next month and it may be worth keeping a close watch on events just outside Moscow next week - I am sure defending Europe main event champion Annette Obrestad will!