Mikita ‘fish2013’ Badziakouski

One of the most successful players in MTT history and Belarus' top poker star.

Mikita is the highest earning Russian-speaking player - he has over $30m in prize money on the Hendon Mob website. And that figure is growing all the time: Badziakouski is always there for the high roller action. He already has a dozen seven-figure prizes, and it has been a long time since he had six-figure prizes to his name. More than once he has also been seen at the ultra-high stakes online and live cash tables.

Before he started winning high roller tournaments around the world, Mikita conquered online. The idea of getting a 'proper' job never even crossed his mind - he started playing online as soon as he came of age in 2010. He chose the nickname ‘fish2013’ on PokerStars, dreaming of heading to Las Vegas in three years for the WSOP for the coveted bracelets.

By 2012, Badziakouski was already one of the strongest MTT players in the world. His first big bankroll boost came from finishing second in the Sunday Million ($164k), and by 2015 Mikita had already cashed in many online tournaments. Mikita became a global star in 2018, when he won around $15m in one year playing live.

None of this has quenched Mikita's passion for poker. Las Vegas, South Korea, Cyprus, Monte Carlo - even today, Badziakouski always finds himself where the biggest game is going. In November 2021 he won the high roller event at the WSOP: an old dream of a bracelet had come true. But for Mikita it meant only one thing: it was time to set new goals.

Famous quotes

You have to play your game. Although I don't know, maybe people are still watching their opponents? In 2012 it was considered correct to write notes when you sat down at the table. Back then I followed the action closely and watched the hands in the replayer. But I haven't done that for many years now.

Bet the second barrel. It's a universal strategy. This is generally one of the main tips for players who are not very good at poker. If you're a preflop raiser, bet the first two barrels without looking, and then figure it out.

Poker players have a bit of a deformation. During the game we try to maximise EV. Even though I already have a lot of money, I still try to pick the best sizing or the best time to sign up for a tournament. And this carries over to regular life. I too often estimate EV even in situations where it makes no sense and we are talking about insignificant amounts.