The Deltin Poker Tournament Grand: A Week of High Stakes and High Drama
The excitement was palpable in the air as players flocked to the Casino Deltin Royale in Goa for India’s premier poker event, the Deltin Poker Tournament (DPT) Grand. This thrilling series made its grand return from October 22 to 28, 2024, marking the 17th edition of the tournament with a whopping 15 action-packed tournaments. With over 2,200 entries and ₹10 Crores in prize money to be won, the stakes were high, and the atmosphere was electric just days before the festive Diwali celebrations.
A Magnificent Comeback
The DPT Grand was not just another poker tournament; it was a resounding comeback in a new, high-octane avatar, designed to create memorable moments in the world of poker. Initially, the series was meant to have 15 tournaments, but due to unforeseen circumstances, two tournaments were unfortunately cancelled.
One of the most notable features of this year’s tournament was the introduction of five coveted DPT bracelets, awarded to the champions of select events. The hype surrounding these bracelets brought an additional layer of excitement, as players vied for not just the prize money, but also the prestige associated with these accolades.
Headliners of the Tournament
The week-long poker festival concluded with exhilarating performances from several players who left their mark on the tournament.
The Grand Finale: ₹60K Grand Championship
The culmination of the DPT Grand came in the form of the ₹60K Grand Championship, where the young prodigy Ashwin Vijayvergiya emerged victorious. In a nail-biting heads-up deal against competitor Nikhil Gutta, Vijayvergiya not only clinched the final bracelet but also walked away with a staggering prize of ₹34.01 Lakhs. Gutta, however, was not to be left without reward, successfully landing ₹37.14 Lakhs as part of the deal. This spectacular achievement established Vijayvergiya as the series’ biggest winner, and only the second player in history to secure multiple DPT bracelets, following Sagar Raj who topped the leaderboard with two championship wins.
Ashwin Vijayvergiya
Celebrating Other Champions
While the Grand Championship headlined the tournament, the glory was shared among many players whose performances were nothing short of spectacular:
- Jaydeep Dawer, a seasoned poker operator and veteran player, claimed his first live title in the ₹40K NLHE, taking home ₹4.43 Lakhs after a thrilling three-way deal.
- Nitesh Baliyan triumphed in the ₹15 Lakhs Adda52 Freeroll, besting a field of 131 entries, for a prize of ₹2.95 Lakhs after a heads-up battle with Samarth Ooty.
Nitesh Baliyan
- The spotlight shone on Shivam Shukla, who made waves by winning the ₹25K Deepstack Closer. Shukla, an online grinder known for his skills, won his first DPT title after an 11-hour marathon. He walked away with ₹6.11 Lakhs in prize money.
Shivam Shukla
The Deepstack Closer Triumph
The ₹25,000 buy-in Deepstack Closer tournament was particularly thrilling, generating a prize pool of ₹25.7 Lakhs with 121 entries. Players finishing in the top 15 were guaranteed a minimum cash prize of ₹56,892. The final table was a battle of skill and strategy, leading to significant moments of drama as it unfolded.
The unfortunate bubble burst for Udit Baid, who found himself on the wrong side of luck, eliminated in sixteenth place. The final table played out with remarkable intensity, leading to skillful eliminations from the seasoned players.
A Final Table Recap
The final table kicked off dynamically, featuring a series of quick eliminations. Anshul Bagai was the first to go, soon followed by other renowned players. As the competition heated up, Shivam Shukla emerged with the chip lead and ultimately took down Debayan Das to secure his title.
Debayan Das
The climax of this gripping event saw Shukla move all-in with a jack-high straight, sealing his victory and crowning him the champion of the DPT Deepstack Closer.
Final Table Results
The financial rewards were just as impressive as the competition itself:
- Shivam Shukla – ₹6,10,638
- Debayan Das – ₹4,49,024
- Siddarth Singhvi – ₹3,30,188
- Stalin Manoharan – ₹2,42,802
- Satyam Verma – ₹1,74,543
- Mohit Bohra – ₹1,27,291
- Aditya Sushant – ₹1,01,544
Conclusion
The Deltin Poker Tournament Grand not only showcased the skills and strategies of the finest poker players in India but also created memorable moments filled with triumph, resilience, and exhilaration. With more players scaling new heights and demonstrating their abilities, the tournament has undoubtedly solidified its reputation as one of the most prestigious events in the Indian poker calendar.
With Diwali approaching, the tournament concluded on a high note, setting a festive mood as players, families, and friends celebrated the spirit of poker together. The DPT Grand’s legacy continues, paving the way for even more exciting events in the poker landscape of India. As players look ahead to future competitions, the roads of ambition and success are clearly paved with the triumphs of events like this.
Content and Images Courtesy: Poker Pro News and Adda52
