This Week in Poker: July 26 – August 1

In the PokerGuru feature, ‘This Week in Poker,’ we bring you the weekly roundup of the most significant online scores by Indian MTT players and the top stories from both the live and online poker circuits. Here are this week’s top stories!

This past week saw a wave of anticipation sweep across the online real-money gaming industry as they braced for the GST Council’s final verdict on the proposed 28% GST on the face value of bets and competition entry fees. The All India Gaming Federation, the nation’s apex self-regulatory body for the gaming industry, submitted a final appeal for a reconsideration of this decision to Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra.

Late on August 2, the GST Council ratified its decision to levy 28% GST on the online gaming and casino sectors, explaining that the tax would be applied to initial deposits rather than individual contest entries. Updates to the CGST law mirroring these changes are scheduled to be tabled in the Parliament’s monsoon session, concluding August 11, and the new tax scheme is anticipated to take effect from October 1, 2023. A six-month review period has been set for this decision. Although less devastating than initially feared, the decision does pose a significant challenge for the industry.

While the industry is grappling with this announcement, Indian poker players continue to make their mark on the international stage. Leading the pack is Dubai-based Indian high-stakes player Santhosh Suvarna. This former casino operator has become a regular fixture in Triton Poker tournaments and recently notched his first series score in the 2023 Triton Super High Roller Series London. Suvarna placed 12th in Event #6: $60K NLH 7-Handed, bagging $112,300 and earning our “PokerGuru Star of the Week” title. The event was clinched by Jason Koon, who secured a record-setting eighth Triton title and a colossal $1.57 Million cash prize.

Meanwhile, the Indian team displayed a strong performance at the 2023 Asian Poker Tour Summer Series Da Nang, which wrapped up on July 30. The team boasted 34 cash finishes, including seven final table appearances and a prestigious title win. Archit Khandelwal was the standout performer, netting VN₫ 523.670 Million from two standout finishes.

Turning to the digital felts, Sreekanth Narayan topped the online leaderboard with total winnings exceeding ₹16.78 Lakhs throughout the week, including two title victories, pushing his tracked online winnings over ₹8 Crores. Mohak Kapoor, Rishab Malik, and Rishabh Gupta emerged as the other top online scorers.

Highlighting an increase in online activity, PokerBaazi’s inaugural Indian Poker Masters started on August 1 and will run until August 20, featuring 99 thrilling tournaments with over ₹28 Crores in guaranteed prize money. The tournament caters to all, with buy-ins ranging from ₹440-₹55,000, and the series headliner ₹4 Crores GTD Main Event from August 15 to 20.

Additionally, it’s Cash Battle Royale 2.0, which commenced alongside the IPM, runs until September 29, offering cash game players over ₹16 Crores in rewards! Daily leaderboards and a potential ₹26.75 Lakhs in prizes sweeten the deal.

In line with embracing innovation, PokerBaazi has introduced a new game variant, Super Hold’em, a fresh take on Texas Hold’em, bearing the fitting slogan “Extra Card! Extra Fun!” Unlike traditional Texas Hold’em, which deals two hole cards, Super Hold’em deals three, requiring players to use at least one to form the best five-card combination. This extra card brings a plethora of new possibilities, ramping up the thrill for both newcomers and seasoned players.

Get set for an adrenaline-fueled August on Pocket52, boasting an unprecedented ₹11.50 Crores guaranteed prize money across tournaments. Staying true to their motto, “Ab Club Badalne Ka Time Aa Gaya,” they’re inviting players to be part of India’s rapidly expanding poker network.

Junglee Poker is the new entrant in India’s online poker scene, represented by renowned actor Abhay Deol. Launched with the ₹1 Crore GTD Big Bang MTT series offering over in prizes, it provides a variety of poker games, quick seating, advanced graphics, and certified security. Players can enjoy a ₹25,000 Welcome Bonus, daily rewards, a 50% rakeback, and a shot at the Daily Leaderboard‘s ₹2-Lakh pool.

Gamezy Poker’s August Chip Champion Rakeback runs until August 9, promising ₹25 Lakhs in rewards across 14-tier leaderboards. It’s simple – play, earn points, and ascend the leaderboard for bigger rewards.

PokerSaint is dialling up the excitement three-fold with the Triple Thrill promotion, which includes the Daily Deal (₹14 Lakhs daily prizes), the Money Masters2 extravaganza (₹30 Lakhs over 28 days), and the ₹25 Lakhs GTD Money Master’s Grand tournament on August 20. The Mini Mania Tournaments offer micro-stake players 14 days of intense action for a slice of ₹2 Lakhs in prizes.

Marking its fifth year of operations, PokerStars India has unveiled an enticing promotional schedule for the coming two months, featuring numerous tournaments and giveaways. The centrepiece is the Weekly Rakeback Challenges, providing cash game players with weekly rake targets and between 20% to 45% in Rakeback rewards.

Spartan Poker has upped the ante by rolling out the Cashback Reloaded and Cash Leaderboard promotions. Players can claim up to 50% cashback on the PLO and Hold’em cash tables, with stakes from ₹5/₹10. Four leaderboards across different stakes offer rewards, with Super High Rollers getting the chance to earn as much as ₹1.50 Lakhs weekly. Smaller stakes provide up to 40% daily cashback.

Signifying a transformative shift in the online gaming sector, the Indian government has brought content providers for online gaming services and advertisements under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B Ministry) as per a Gazette notification issued on July 31. This change empowers the I&B Ministry to regulate online advertisements and gaming content platforms’ policies. The move comes amidst active monitoring by the Ministry to curb illegal platforms’ promotion.

Indo-American poker enthusiast Jagdeep Bal clinched his maiden live tournament title in The Hendon Mob Mid-Major Championship at the Thunder Valley Casino this Sunday. Bal overcame a field of 1,605 participants to take home a career-best cash reward of $71,036, the prestigious Hendon Mob Trophy, and the RunGood Poker Series ring.

Online Railbird Report

Sunday`s top performer, Sreekanth Narayan, has further solidified his online standings by entering the prestigious ‘₹8 Crore Club.’ His remarkable accomplishments this past week earned him over ₹16.78 Lakhs, establishing him as the week`s top online scorer.

Narayan’s impressive portfolio includes two major title victories in Spartan Poker’s Sunday Superstack and Ultron, bagging ₹8.48 Lakhs and ₹4.66 Lakhs, respectively. He also made a notable final table finish in PokerBaazi’s The Weekly HighRoller, scoring ₹2.48 Lakhs.

His top finishes include:

> 1st in Spartan Poker’s Sunday Superstack for ₹8,48,115

> 1st in Spartan Poker’s Ultron for ₹4,66,479

> 4th in PokerBaazi’s The Weekly HighRoller for ₹2,48,347* (four-way deal)

Mohak Kapoor, the #1 ranked player on the annual TLB leaderboard, made significant strides this past week, accumulating a staggering ₹12.14 Lakhs to take the #2 position on the weekly leaderboard.

Kapoor’s dexterity in multi-scoring is well-known, evidenced by his mind-boggling 13 final table finishes this week, inclusive of four prestigious title victories. Among his most notable achievements were victories in PokerBaazi’s Masters#4, where he secured ₹3.28 Lakhs, and in the WTF, earning ₹3.02 Lakhs.

His top finishes include:

> 1st in PokerBaazi’s Masters#4 for ₹3,27,690

> 2nd in PokerBaazi’s WTF for ₹3,02,371

> 3rd in PokerBaazi’s (7-Max) SPRINT for ₹53,389

Rishab Malik again demonstrated why he’s considered one of India’s most promising poker talents with a remarkable performance this week. Malik’s prowess at the poker tables secured him a podium spot on the weekly charts with a handsome ₹9.82 Lakhs in winnings.

Though he didn’t clinch any titles this week, Malik’s exceptional skills were undeniably evident. He claimed runner-up finishes in two flagship tournaments: PokerBaazi’s (7-Max) BSS Championship, where he earned ₹3.67 Lakhs, and Pocket52’s BPS#35 Elite Highroller, with a prize of ₹2.66 Lakhs.

His top finishes include:

> 2nd in PokerBaazi’s (7-Max) BSS Championship for ₹3,67,199

> 2nd in Pocket52’s BPS#35 Elite Highroller for ₹2,66,475

> 6th in Pocket52’s BPS#53 Ragnarok for ₹80,800

Anant Purohit also delivered a stellar performance, raking in ₹7.72 Lakhs and landing the #4 spot on the weekly leaderboard. His most significant accomplishments include a title victory in Adda52’s Mega Suits, where he earned ₹6.05 Lakhs, and a final table finish in Spartan Poker’s Mega Stack, netting him an additional ₹1.23 Lakhs.

His top finishes include:

> 1st in Adda52’s Mega Suits for ₹6,04,800

> 4th in Spartan Poker’s Mega Stack for ₹1,23,077

Rishabh Gupta, now recognized as an elite player, compiled an impressive total of ₹7.59 Lakhs from eight cash finishes over the past week. His noteworthy performances include a title victory in Spartan Poker’s Mega Stack and a runner-up finish in PokerBaazi’s BSS HighRoller.

His top finishes include:

> 2nd in PokerBaazi’s BSS HighRoller for ₹3,87,557* (heads-up deal)

> 1st in Spartan Poker’s Mega Stack for ₹2,94,165* (heads-up deal)

Karan Malhotra, Ashit Sharma, Vishal Bajaj, Vaibhav Sharma, Vishal Ojha and Rajat Sharma were the week`s other top online scorers.

Indian Poker Masters – PokerBaazi’s BIGGEST-EVER MTT Series is Underway! Over ₹28 Crores in Guaranteed Prizes Await (August 1 to 20)

PokerBaazi`s inaugural Indian Poker Masters is in full swing, running from August 1 to 20, offering poker enthusiasts an unforgettable experience. With over ₹28 Crores in prize money guaranteed across 99 action-packed tournaments, it’s a celebration of poker at its finest. Players of all stakes can partake, with buy-ins ranging from ₹440 to ₹55,000.

The spotlight shines on the ₹4 Crores GTD Masters Main Event, scheduled from August 15 to 20, alongside several high-stakes flagship tournaments.

Read the complete report here

Join PokerBaazi’s Cash Battle Royale 2.0 – Over ₹16 Crores in Prizes to be Won (August 1 – September 29)

PokerBaazi’s Cash Battle Royale 2.0 promotion is in full swing, running from August 1 to September 29. Over ₹16 Crores in prizes are up for grabs! Don’t miss the daily leaderboards and a chance to win up to ₹26.75 Lakhs in rewards.

Read the complete report here

PokerBaazi Introduces New Poker Variant – Super Hold’em

In a thrilling new addition, PokerBaazi has added a new game variant, the globally celebrated Super Hold’em—a thrilling adaptation of Texas Hold’em—to its client. This exciting variant introduces three-hole cards instead of two, requiring players to use at least one in conjunction with community cards to make their winning five-card hand. The introduction of an extra card escalates the thrill, unveiling a plethora of new possibilities. With its inclusive appeal to both poker rookies and veterans, Super Hold’em promises a unique gaming experience. Dive in and enjoy “Extra Card! Extra Fun!”

Read the complete report here

Pocket52 Intensifies the Action: Enormous ₹11.50 Crores in Guaranteed Prizes in August Tournaments

Prepare for an exciting August as Pocket52 ramps up the stakes with a whopping ₹11.50 Crores guaranteed prize pool across all tournaments this month, challenging the other top platforms. Upholding their tagline, “Ab Club Badalne Ka Time Aa Gaya,” they’re inviting players to join India’s rapidly expanding poker network.

With daily tournaments with buy-ins from ₹990 to ₹11,000, Pocket52 offers an enticing opportunity for poker enthusiasts. The highlight is the ₹30 Lakhs GTD Pocket Kings, starting at 8 PM on Sunday.

Read the complete report here

Junglee Poker Debuts Spectacularly: Introduces ₹1 Crore GTD Junglee Big Bang & Welcomes Abhay Deol as Brand Ambassador

Introducing the newly rebranded Junglee Poker, previously known as Poker India, a fresh and exciting addition to India’s flourishing online poker scene. With a vision to make poker “Everyone’s Game,” the platform has appointed renowned actor Abhay Deol as its brand ambassador.

To mark its launch, Junglee Poker presents the Junglee Big Bang MTT series, which commenced on July 27, featuring tournaments with over ₹1 Crore in guaranteed prizes. The platform offers popular poker variants, immediate seating options, high-quality graphics, and top-notch safety features, including an iTech Labs-certified Random Number Generator.

In addition to a Welcome Bonus of up to ₹25,000, players can enjoy various promotions and daily rewards. The Daily Rakeback Challenge offers a generous 50% rakeback, and consistent play could secure you a slice of the Daily Leaderboard‘s ₹2-Lakh prize pool.

Read the complete report here

Claim₹25 Lakhs in Rakeback Rewards in Gamezy Poker’s August Chip Champion Rakeback (July 27 – August 9)

Gamezy Poker is back with an exhilarating promotion – the August Chip Champion Rakeback! Running from July 27 to August 9, this promotion offers an incredible opportunity to win ₹25 Lakhs in rakeback rewards. It’s open to all cash game players across 14-tier leaderboards, regardless of their stake levels.

Participating is easy: play cash games, earn points, and climb up the leaderboard. The more points you accumulate, the better your chances of unlocking fantastic rewards.

Read the complete report here

Triple Thrill on PokerSaint: Daily Deal, Money Masters 2 & Mini Mania Tournaments Await

PokerSaint has launched a Triple Thrill promotion with three exciting opportunities to win big. First up is the Daily Deal, offering 14 days of cash game challenges and a staggering ₹14 Lakhs prize pool each day. Next, gear up for the Money Masters2 extravaganza, spanning 28 days and featuring a grand prize pool of ₹30 Lakhs. Don’t miss the chance to participate in the Money Master’s Grand tournament on August 20 at 8 PM, with a guaranteed prize pool of ₹25 Lakhs.

For micro-stake masters looking for their path to glory, the Mini Mania Tournaments offer 14 days of thrilling action, where consistency can earn you a share of ₹2 Lakhs in prizes.

Read the complete report here

Weekly Rakeback Challenges at PokerStars India Present Cash Game Players with Weekly Opportunities For 20% – 45% in Rakeback Rewards

PokerStars India, the Indian arm of the global poker giant, is now in its fifth year. It has launched an exciting promotional calendar for August and September, full of compelling tournaments and giveaways. The highlight is the Weekly Rakeback Challenges, offering cash game players personalized weekly rake targets, with potential rewards of between 20% to 45% Rakeback. These challenges provide a full week of thrilling poker, the cycle running from Thursday to the next Wednesday.

Read the complete report here

Boost Your Profits With Spartan Poker’s August Promotions: Earn Up to 50% Cashback on PLO & Hold’em Cash Tables in Cashback Reloaded & Cash Leaderboards

Leading online poker platform Spartan Poker is doubling the fun this August with the Cashback Reloaded and Cash Leaderboard promotions. Players participating in the PLO and Hold’em cash games can earn up to 50% cashback on stakes from ₹5/₹10 and above this month.

The Cashback Reloaded includes four leaderboard races catering to various stakes. The Super High Rollers can earn up to 50% cashback in weekly races with prizes up to ₹1.50 Lakhs. The Reloaded High, Mid, and Low cater to smaller stakes, offering up to 40% daily cashback. Every ₹50 contributed in Rake earns 1 point, with all winnings credited as real cash.

The Cash Leaderboards offer additional excitement for micro stakes players, guaranteeing ₹8.25 Lakhs on ₹1/₹2 and ₹2/₹5 NLHE and PLO tables.

Read the complete report here

Triton Super High Roller Series London 2023

The 2023 Triton Super High Roller Series London kicked off on July 27 at the prestigious JW Marriott Grosvenor House. The fortnight-long extravaganza, boasting 17 super high roller events, witnessed its first victory when Lucas Greenwood triumphed in Event #1: $25,000 GG Million$ Live, pocketing a career-best $897,000.

India’s Santhosh Suvarna, who has gradually become a known name in the international high-stakes scene, claimed his first score of the series in Event #6: $60K NLH 7-Handed, packing in a 12th place finish worth $112,300, making him our “PokerGuru Star of the Week!”

Jason Koon clinched a record-extending eighth Triton title in Event #6: $60K NLH 7-Handed, making away with $1.57 Million in first-place prize money.

Other renowned champions crowned thus far include German poker prodigy Fedor Holz in Event #2: $25,000 NLH 7-Handed ($609,853), the 2022 WSOP Main Event winner Espen Jorstad in Event #3: $40,000 Mystery Bounty ($639,000), and poker maestro Ole Schemion in Event #5: $50,000 NLH 8-Handed, who scooped an impressive $1.35 Million.

APT Summer Series Da Nang 2023

The 2023 Asian Poker Tour (APT) Summer Series Da Nang culminated its electrifying ten-day run on July 30 at the luxurious beachfront Ariyana Convention Centre within the opulent five-star Furama Resort, surpassing turnout records set at the previous APT Summer Series held in Hanoi.

This captivating series featured 57 unique trophy events and drew an incredible 5,180 participants hailing from 35 nations. These competitors battled it out for a share of a remarkable prize pool of VN₫ 84.688 Billion, reflecting a 7% uptick compared to the last APT Hanoi series.

Team India gave an admirable performance, racking up 34 cash finishes that included seven final table appearances and a prestigious title win.

The VN₫ 12 Billion GTD Event #19: VN₫ 35 Million APT Main Event served as the series’ pièce de résistance, creating a new record as the most lucrative APT Main Event ever held in Vietnam. The event drew a staggering 675 entries, amassing a colossal prize pool of VN₫ 20.625 Billion. Singapore’s Shixiang Khoo walked away with the highly sought-after Golden Lion APT Main Event trophy, earning a striking VN₫ 3.93 Billion in prize money.

The Indian contingent’s journey in the Main Event wrapped up on Day 3, with Amit Kaushik making the deepest run, landing in 23rd place and taking home VN₫ 135.92 Million. Noteworthy performances from other Indian competitors included Young Gun Anuj Yadav (36th place for VN₫ 89.72 Million), Tarush Gupta (45th place for VN₫ 77.34 Million), and Chirag Sodha (73rd place for VN₫ 60.84 Million).

Archit Khandelwal was the standout player from Team India, garnering VN₫ 455.10 Million, the highest individual earnings by an Indian at the festival, with his runner-up finish in the VN₫ 2 Billion GTD Event #44: VN₫ 14 Million Double Stack. Khandelwal narrowly missed the final table in Event #56: VN₫ 7 Million Micro Main Event, finishing in 10th place for an additional VN₫ 18.70 Million. His cumulative winnings of VN₫ 523.670 Million ensured his standing as the top-earning Indian player in the series.

Team India`s Scores at the Series

List of Winners

With this, we conclude this week’s roundup of the latest news updates and developments from the poker world. We will return again next week with another weekly report. Stay tuned.