A Diwali Celebration in Indian Poker: Highlights from This Week
As the festival of Diwali illuminates homes across India, the excitement in the poker world has reached electrifying heights. This week, Indian players made waves in both live tournaments and online poker, delivering remarkable performances that brought festive cheer. Join us as we delve into the highlights of this week in poker, featuring monumental wins, exciting events, and the rise of some poker legends.
A Phenomenal Week for Tarun Goyal
The online poker scene exploded with the record-breaking performance of Tarun Goyal, a renowned figure in the Indian poker community. Building on his successful legacy as a WSOP bracelet winner, Goyal showcased his prowess in the online arena during the festivities surrounding Dhanteras, a day symbolizing wealth and prosperity. He participated in the intimidating ₹10+ Lakhs buy-in GGMillion$ Main Event on Natural8 India, competing against a field of 928 elite players. Against all odds, Goyal finished in an awe-inspiring 10th place, adding an impressive ₹1.23 Crores to his bank.
This remarkable achievement marked Goyal’s fourth eight-figure score within the year, a feat no other player has matched. His total earnings for the year reached an astounding ₹7.01 Crores, making him the first player in history to break the ₹7 Crores barrier in online winnings within a single year.
Moreover, Goyal’s victory propelled him to the top of the Player of the Year race, now holding a substantial ₹1.10 Crore lead over Neel Joshi, who had been in first place for over seven months. It appears that Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, shone brightly on Goyal this Dhanteras.
Accomplishments Beyond Goyal
In addition to Goyal’s stellar performance, other players also delivered impressive results. Surbhit Grover emerged as a significant player this week, securing ₹15 Lakhs at PokerBaazi in The MoneyMaker ₹1 Crore GTD event. Other noteworthy names who made their mark include Samay Singh Modi, Anant Purohit, Naman Agrawal, and Satyam Verma, all of whom deserve recognition for their significant earnings.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the top online winners:
| Player | Prize Amount | Event | Poker Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surbhit Grover | ₹15 Lakhs | The MoneyMaker ₹1 Crore GTD | PokerBaazi |
| Samay Singh Modi | ₹9.35 Lakhs | GGMasters Bounty Warm-Up 25 | Natural8 India |
| Ankit Bhardwaj | ₹4.50 Lakhs | Party Lite ₹25 Lakhs GTD | Junglee Poker |
Deltin Poker Tournament Grand: Glory in Goa
While the online realm was buzzing with activity, Goa played host to the Deltin Poker Tournament (DPT) Grand, a spectacular series that ran from October 22-28. Held at the iconic Casino Deltin Royale, this edition attracted over 2,200 entries across 15 events and awarded over ₹10 Crores in prize money. This pre-Diwali spectacle featured five coveted DPT bracelets that highlighted the peaks of poker competition.
The thrilling finale crowned Ashwin Vijayvergiya as the winner of the DPT ₹60K Grand Championship, where he overcame a field of 421 participants to secure his first live title and a prize of ₹34.01 Lakhs. His final table battle included an ICM deal, which ensured both him and runner-up Nikhil Gutta received career-best paydays.
Sagar Raj also made headlines by winning not just one but two DPT bracelets during the series, further solidifying his status among India’s elite poker players.
Indian Players Take on APPT Manila Championship
On the international front, a select group of Indian players showcased exceptional skills at the APPT Manila Championship held at Okada Manila. The event spanned over 10 days and featured numerous Indian players who recorded impressive results, including Pranav Agrawal, who secured his first-ever live title by winning Event #13 and earning ₱207,200 (~₹3.03 Lakhs).
Siddharth Karia, another rising star, earned the title of the Indian Star of the Series after racking up ₱844,240 (~₹12.30 Lakhs) through multiple deep runs, showcasing the strength of India’s poker representation in international events.
Upcoming Events and Exciting Promotions
As the poker community gears up for more action, PokerBaazi is concluding its 10th Anniversary bash, featuring exciting tournaments and lucrative prizes. Meanwhile, Junglee Poker has kicked off its Grand Poker Party Series, running from October 25 to November 3, promising over ₹5 Crores in guarantees.
Looking ahead, PokerBaazi has announced the return of its National Poker Series (NPS) in March 2025. With an expected prize pool of ₹100 Crores, this upcoming event is billed as the "Olympics of Indian Poker," set to take the spotlight in the coming year.
Final Thoughts
The excitement in the poker world continues to grow as Indian players shine brightly both locally and internationally. With impressive wins, upcoming events, and significant developments, it’s clear that the poker landscape is evolving rapidly. As we celebrate the spirit of Diwali, the poker community stands united, eagerly anticipating even more extraordinary achievements. Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the thrilling journey of Indian poker players!
