It’s amazing how many gaming variations people can come up with from the humble deck of playing cards. From one-player problem-solving activities to fierce competitive action, card games can take many forms. Some card games transcend borders, while there are other card games that are still mostly played within their country of origin.

In Russia, you’ll find popular card games that fit both categories. The likes of Preferans and Durak might be unfamiliar to those outside of Russia or its neighboring countries, but anyone who wishes to appreciate all aspects of the culture in Russia may want to learn the rules before visiting. Conversely, poker is a game with universal appeal, and one that has fostered great appreciation among Russian players.

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popular card games in Russia

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“The Kingdom of Permafrost” is a unique complex, which is a huge, always frozen cave near Mount Chochur-Muran on the outskirts of Yakutsk. In Soviet times, this place was used as a huge cellar for storing food.

The tourist complex first opened its doors to all visitors in 2008. Since then, it has become one of the main tourist sites in Yakutsk. Photos by: zavodfoto.

beautiful frozen cave

Tags: Sakha Republic · Yakutsk city

In the early part of the 21st century, there was proliferation of casino gambling all across Russia. It is estimated that as many as 58 casinos may have been in operation by 2002. As a post-communist nation, Russia has always been concerned with the welfare of the nation, preferring to not be subject to weaknesses.

As the gambling industry was perceived to be ravaging the economic state of the nation, the Russian government set forth to legislate changes. At first, they tried to limit the proximity of existing casinos.

Unfortunately, that did little to stop the nation’s youth from missing school in favor of trying to secure a fortune with slots. As a final recourse, the Russian government finally decided in 2009 to shut down all gambling operations with the exception of land-based casinos in four regions: Altai, Krasnodar, Kaliningrad, and Primorsky.

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The advancements in modern technology paved the way for emerging of various types of online entertainment. Unfortunately, not all of these are considered legal in certain countries, such as in Russia, where necessary measures were taken to regulate them.

This is because alongside the benefits brought about by online entertainment came some drawbacks that are avoidable with the proper handling and management. As such, here are some types of online entertainment legal in the country.

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Russia is a beautiful country and there is so much to see and do. From the western palaces of Moscow and St. Petersburg to the beauty of Lake Baikal and the majesty of Vladivostok, there is so much to be seen in Russia.

However, one activity that will always come up short is gambling. Though Russians love their poker, it can be difficult to track down some good gambling games in this vast country. Here is why online gambling is absolutely forbidden in Russia, and where you can go to pick up some games instead.

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Russia has quite a history when it comes to gambling. The biggest country in the world initially experienced a ban in the 1920s under the Soviet Union. It wasn’t until 1989 that the country opened its first gambling place in Moscow.

During this time, poker became quite popular with slot machines being brought into hotels. The casino business grew to about 50 casinos by 2002 in Moscow. However, in 2009 the situation changed entirely after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin authorized a wide-scale ban on the practice leaving only 4 designated legalized areas.

The minister went further to ban online gambling completely. Gambling sites have been blocked further by internet service providers.

So, gambling in Russia is a very tricky topic, as things have remained the same nowadays. What’s worse is that the gambling scene in Russia might stay like this in the unforeseeable future.

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More often than not, there are websites and online content which can only be accessed in certain geographical locations. For instance, Netflix programs which are available in the USA may not be available in other countries such as in Russia, and vice versa.

Nevertheless, there is a way for anyone to be able to access the same Netflix programs from US in Russia, and there are several means out there that will allow you to do so.

watching American Netflix in Russia

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The cultural capital of Russia has so much to offer that more than 8 million people visited the city in 2017, and the numbers are growing. Some choose St. Petersburg as the first stop of their Russian holiday and only have time to visit the most iconic buildings and monuments of St. Petersburg, others decide to dedicate some time to explore the less-touristy spots in the city.

To encourage and facilitate international tourism, the Russian government has even launched a new electronic visa system that will allow foreign travelers to apply for an eVisa for St. Petersburg entirely online before leaving for Russia. There has really never been a better time to visit St. Petersburg.

short guide to the second capital of Russia

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On the Russian coat of arms, you can see the image of a two-headed eagle. However, in Russia, one can meet eagles with three heads, legs and wings. Especially often you can see them in the former capital of the country – St. Petersburg.

The fact is that the symbol of Russia is often placed on the highest points – spiers and roofs. If you install a two-headed eagle, then from many angles it will look quite different from the coat of arms. Therefore, an eagle with three heads, wings, and legs was designed (angled at 120 °). From a distance these eagles from any point seem to be two-headed as on the coat of arms. Photos by: Alexander Nikulin.

unique Russian eagles

Tags: Saint Petersburg city

Lermontovsky Uranium Mine #1 is a former uranium mining enterprise located on Mount Beshtau near the city of Pyatigorsk, about 200 km south-east of Stavropol. The mine was closed in 1975.

Today, it is a popular object with diggers and other extreme lovers. The official name “Mine #1” was used in the documents due to the high secrecy of this object. Mount Beshtau on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

explore radioactive tunnels

Tags: Abandoned · Pyatigorsk city · Stavropol krai