Top Indian Poker Players

Introduction

Poker is now established as a widely popular sport in India. There are a number of talented players who are making a name for themselves and currently shining in the world of Poker. They are the pioneers who are exhibiting extraordinary Poker skills and expertise on domestic as well as international Poker felts.

List of Best Indian Poker Players

Here are some great players who have emerged as an idol for aspiring Poker players in India

Vivek Rajkumar

Vivek Rajkumar, widely recognized by his moniker FLOG, stands as a prominent figure in the realm of professional poker. Born in India and raised in Singapore, Rajkumar has carved an impressive niche for himself, accumulating over $8 million in live earnings. His poker journey commenced in 2006, marked by a notable victory in a World Poker Tour series tournament in Canada, where he secured the 30th position and a $30,022 prize.

In a career defined by success, one of his pivotal moments unfolded in 2008 when he clinched the prestigious World Poker Tour title in Atlantic City. This victory, accompanied by a substantial prize of $1,424,500, solidified his status as a formidable player in the poker circuit. Rajkumar's prowess extends beyond his WPT triumph, boasting three final table finishes, 14 commendable showings at the World Series of Poker, and a money finish on the European Poker Tour.

Santhosh Suvarna

Santhosh Suvarna, a thriving entrepreneur, has made a mark in the world of high-stakes poker tournaments, accumulating an impressive $5.7 million in live cashes. His standout achievement in 2023 occurred at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Monte Carlo.

Despite starting the final table with a shorter stack, Suvarna orchestrated a remarkable comeback, positioning himself for a potential second Triton victory. Although faced with an unfortunate turn of events leading to a setback, he secured an impressive third place, claiming a staggering $1.77 million (~₹14.76 Crores) in prize money. This remarkable feat not only earned him the title of the highest-earning Indian in live poker for the year but also marked the second-largest live poker score in Indian history, following closely behind Vivek Rajkumar's 2019 Triton Million for Charity triumph.

Nipun Java

Nipun Java is one of the finest Indian Poker players who has participated and won in many Indian and overseas Poker competitions. He teamed up with Aditya Sushant and earned a gold bracelet at WSOP 2017.

Nipun Java studied electronic engineering from NSIT, Delhi and later moved to LA. He now resides in the US from the past 12 years. He started playing poker online as well as at home with friends just for fun. After achieving some success, he went on to play professionally at live Poker games and tournaments.

Ankit Ahuja

Ankit Ahuja, an accomplished Indian poker player, has established himself with over $2.1 million in live tournament earnings as of October 2023. His standout moment came at the 2023 European Poker Tour Cyprus, where he triumphed in the $1,100 Eureka Main Event, securing a career-best payout of $362,365. Ahuja has consistently showcased his skills in various prestigious tournaments, including a commendable 34th place finish at the 2023 WPT World Championship, earning $132,500. 

Notable performances in events like the 2023 Merit Poker Gangster Series and the 2023 PokerStars EPT Barcelona High Roller further underscore his prowess. Ahuja's dynamic and competitive presence on the poker circuit highlights his significant contributions to the Indian poker community, solidifying his status as a notable player in the international poker arena.

Abhinav Iyer

Abhinav Iyer, a prominent figure in the Indian poker scene based in Mumbai, earned recognition by securing the first solo World Series Of Poker (WSOP) bracelet for India during the 2019 edition in Las Vegas. Notably, he triumphed in The Closer event, marking a significant milestone in his poker career. With total live earnings of $1,607,796, Iyer's highest payout of $565,346 stems from his victorious WSOP endeavour. His remarkable journey includes 43 cashes at the prestigious WSOP, establishing him as a consistent performer on the global poker stage. Beyond WSOP, Iyer has showcased his skills in various international series like APT, APPT, WPT, and EPT, while also making notable appearances in Indian tournaments such as DPT, BPT, WPT India, WPT Prime India, and IPC.

Aditya Agarwal

Aditya Agarwal is undoubtedly one of the most promising Poker players in India. He is a popular professional Poker player and is widely known for his massive winnings in online and offline poker tournaments.

Known by the name “intervention” in Poker circuits, Agarwal is a Business Administration graduate from Drexel University, Philadelphia. After watching Poker players making money on a TV show, Agarwal fell in love with the game. Agarwal is a regular at WSOP and succeeds in taking home a great amount of cash prizes.

Raghav Bansal

Raghav Bansal is one of the biggest names in the Indian Poker circuit. His in-depth understanding of the game and no-nonsense attitude separates him from other Poker players and makes him very popular in the Poker community.

Raghav is from Delhi. His interest in Poker developed when he started playing with his friends casually but later hooked with the game and began focusing on serious gameplay. Raghav participated and achieved tremendous success in many high profile games i.e. DPT and WSOP. Other than Poker, Bansal is a big football fan and also likes to play golf.

Kartik Ved

Kartik 'TheInternetKid' Ved, a prominent figure in both live and online poker, has made significant contributions to the Asian poker community. With an illustrious career spanning various tournaments globally, Ved began his journey with a cash at the India Poker Championship in August 2015. Notably, his breakthrough came in 2019 at the 50th World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas, securing the 51st position and a remarkable payout of $173,015. His consistent participation in events like the WPT and APT, along with notable online performances, underscores Ved's prowess in the poker arena.

Kunal Patni

Kunal Patni is a renowned player and Adda52 Pro who has been wowing the Poker world with his talent since 2012.

Patni was introduced to Poker by some friends which piqued his interest in professional playing. He started taking serious interest in Poker and with time, began participating in major online and offline poker tournaments such as WSOP, WPT, APPT, Macau Poker Cup, DPT, IPC, etc. He has achieved remarkable success at the tables and become one of the biggest moneymakers with his exceptional Poker strategies and skills.

Aditya Sushant

Aditya Sushant is an established Poker player from Chennai who started playing Poker in 2010.

Aditya has participated and won great prizes in many tournaments. He is a continuous player at Deltin Poker Tournaments, Goa. His hard work and dedication for the game finally paid off and he made headlines by bringing the first WSOP bracelet to India with his partner Nipun Java.

Indian Poker Players with WSOP Bracelets

Indian poker players with World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets have made significant strides, showcasing the country's growing influence in the global poker arena. Notable among them is Abhinav Iyer, who etched his name in history by winning a WSOP bracelet in 2019. Iyer's triumph came in The Closer event in Las Vegas, where he outplayed a competitive field to secure the coveted bracelet and a substantial cash prize.

Another Indian poker pro who has left an indelible mark is Aditya Sushant. In 2017, Sushant, along with Nipun Java, became the first Indian player to claim a WSOP bracelet. Their victory in the $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold'em event exemplified the prowess of Indian poker on the international stage

Top Women Poker Players in India

Nikita Luther

Nikita Luther is from Delhi and has accumulated impressive winnings in various Poker tournaments.

Nikita Luther is one of the very few players who have changed the common perception about women Poker players in India. She has inspired many women to come forward and become a part of the Poker community. Like many other players, Luther started playing Poker while she was still in college. As a mathematics enthusiast, the lady was drawn towards the game due to her fascination with probability theories and psychology which led her to take up the game seriously as a profession. Other than Poker, her hobbies are reading, playing pool, and participating in adventure sports.

Minissha Lamba

Minissha is Adda52’s celebrity Poker Pro. This Bollywood diva started playing Poker just for fun but later the thrill and fun involved in this unputdownable game made it impossible for her to stay away from the tables. She has participated in several live and online tournaments such as WSOP, WPT500 Aria, WPT India, DPT, IPC, etc. She is a regular at the Poker felt, where she is achieving great heights of success.

Muskan Sethi

Muskan Sethi, a prominent figure in the Indian poker scene, has established herself as an international player, gaining recognition for her skills on the global stage. Despite poker facing challenges in India due to perceptions of gambling, Muskan has become a respected name in the poker community. Serving as the brand ambassador for PokerStars India, a leading online poker platform, she has contributed significantly to promoting the game in the country. Muskan also leads the Delhi team in the Global Poker League, showcasing her leadership and strategic prowess. With notable cashes in prestigious tournaments and a total earnings of ₹43,22,659, Muskan Sethi continues to inspire and elevate the status of poker in India.

Frequently Asked Question

How many poker players are there in India?

It is challenging to provide an exact number, but the poker community in India has witnessed significant growth. Thousands of players actively participate in both live and online poker tournaments, contributing to the flourishing poker ecosystem in the country.

Who is the number one poker player in India?

The number one poker player in India is Vivek Rajkumar.

What is the salary of a professional poker player in India?

The salary of a professional poker player in India can range from a few lakhs to several crores annually, with top players earning significant amounts through tournament winnings, endorsements, and sponsorships.

Who is the world's number 1 in poker?

Players like Bryn Kenney and Justin Bonomo are among the top-ranked in the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the landscape of Indian poker is flourishing with remarkable talents who have not only excelled on the domestic stage but have also made indelible marks on the global poker circuit. From trailblazers like Vivek Rajkumar and Santhosh Suvarna to the trailblazing achievements of Muskan Sethi, these players exemplify the growing prowess of Indian poker. The curated list showcases their accomplishments, earnings, and tournament rankings, providing a comprehensive overview of the top players who have paved the way for the poker community in India. As poker continues to gain recognition and respect in the country, these players serve as inspirations for aspiring enthusiasts, contributing to the evolution and success of Indian poker on a global scale.