Indian poker players continue to make significant waves in the global online poker scene, consistently securing top finishes and impressive cash prizes. Their dominance in numerous events highlights their extraordinary skills and strategic depth, firmly establishing India as a rising superpower in high-stakes poker. These outstanding accomplishments not only raise awareness of the game but also attract interest from international poker platforms, further enhancing India’s reputation in the competitive poker arena.
India’s Growing Influence in Poker
Set to be the largest poker tournament in the country, the Natural8 India Super Circuit 2025 is a prime example of India’s increasing impact on the global stage. With massive prize pools attracting elite players from across the nation and beyond, this event promises intense competition. Offering a platform for players to test their skills and establish themselves on the international stage, this tournament will mark a significant milestone in the history of Indian poker. It is expected to create even more opportunities for players to rise in the poker rankings and gain global recognition.
Additionally, the Journey to APT Taipei 2025 is another exciting event showcasing India’s growing poker talent. Indian players will compete for a highly coveted seat in the prestigious Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APT), further solidifying the country’s presence in the international poker community. These events emphasize India’s strength in competitive poker, where Indian players are poised to make even greater strides in the coming years.
NPS#82 Mega Rush Final – Life-Changing Payouts
This week saw some of the largest prize pools yet in the NPS#82 Mega Rush Final, where Pagalhumain walked away with a staggering ₹27.13 lakh, while Foldnhihota secured the title along with ₹18.61 lakh. Other grinders continued to make a name for themselves across various platforms, securing substantial winnings and cementing their positions among India’s top poker players.
Top Indian Poker Players on Natural8 India
Armaan Kochhar (Brahmajnana) – Total Winnings: ₹3,35,883
- Winner – Speed Racer Bounty Americas 108 (₹2,28,435)
- 5th Place – Midnight Madness 88 (₹1,07,448)
With total winnings of ₹3,35,883, Armaan Kochhar, known by his online alias Brahmajnana, has been making a significant impact in the Indian poker scene. His strategic brilliance was evident in his triumph at the Speed Racer Bounty Americas 108, where he executed well-timed eliminations to secure ₹2,28,435. This victory demonstrated his expertise in bounty tournaments, where timing and precision are key. His 5th place finish in the Midnight Madness 88, earning ₹1,07,448, further solidified his status as a rising star in Indian poker.
Nishaanth Shanmughasundaram (SoonaPaana) – ₹2,49,632
- 4th Place – Zodiac Dragon High Roller
Nishaanth, known online as SoonaPaana, showcased his versatility and adaptability with a 4th place finish in the Zodiac Dragon High Roller, earning ₹2,49,632. Competing in a tough high-roller field, he demonstrated exceptional composure and decision-making, further cementing his reputation as one of India’s top poker players.
Aniket Waghmare (Taking Souls) – ₹3,10,351
- 105th Place – March Mayhem Bounty 6-Max 600
Known as Taking Souls, Aniket Waghmare displayed resilience in the March Mayhem Bounty 6-Max 600, finishing 105th and earning ₹3,10,351. Despite not securing a top-100 finish, his ability to navigate a large-field tournament and maintain focus highlights his growth as a poker player.
Furukawa Shimpei (Furunandesu) – ₹1,97,546
- Winner – Speed Racer Bounty 54
Shimpei delivered an impressive final table performance in the Speed Racer Bounty 54, skillfully managing the pace of the game and executing a well-calculated strategy to claim the title.
Biggest Winners of the Day – NPS#82 Mega Rush Final
- ₹3 Crore GTD – NPS#82 Mega Rush Final
- Champion – Foldnhihota – ₹18,61,000
- Runner-up – Pagalhumain – ₹27,13,000
- 3rd Place – Anish Vijay (Fishlover001) – ₹18,92,000 (Deal was made)
Featuring some of the fiercest action of the series, the Mega Rush Final boasted an incredible ₹3 crore prize pool. Foldnhihota secured the championship title, while Pagalhumain walked away with the highest payout after an deal. Anish Vijay also put in an outstanding performance, securing 3rd place and continuing his streak of deep runs in high-stakes tournaments. His remarkable consistency has earned him multiple prestigious titles, including a two-time MoneyMaker championship on PokerBaazi, where he won ₹10 Lakhs in April 2024. Additionally, he has claimed victories in The Endeavour (₹3.70 Lakhs) and Pride HighRoller KO (₹3.38 Lakhs) earlier in the year, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s most formidable poker players.
PokerBaazi’s National Poker Series (NPS) – More Thrilling Action
Other Top NPS Winners
- Anish Vijay (Fishlover001) – ₹5,75,000 (Champion – NPS#80 Slamdunk) + ₹1,89,200 (3rd Place – NPS#82 Mega Rush Final)
- Varun Vohra (BadBeat24) – ₹10,42,000 (Champion – NPS#81 Thursday Thunder)
- Tanmay Benara (Truman) – ₹2,72,000 (Champion – NPS#83 Hyper Sprint)
NPS#83 (5-MAX) Hyper Sprint – ₹25L GTD
- Champion – Tanmay Benara (Truman) – ₹2,72,000
- Runner-up – Gurkirat Khanuja (MrrWhite) – ₹2,60,000
- 3rd Place – Avadh Shah (Sting240) – ₹1,67,000
The NPS#83 (5-MAX) Hyper Sprint witnessed an electrifying showdown, with Tanmay Benara (Truman) securing the championship title and claiming ₹2,72,000 in winnings. Known for his sharp strategic gameplay and ability to adapt to fast-paced formats, Tanmay’s victory reaffirmed his growing dominance in the Indian poker circuit. Gurkirat Khanuja (MrrWhite) put up a strong fight, finishing as the runner-up and earning ₹2,60,000, narrowly missing the top spot but demonstrating his exceptional tournament prowess. Meanwhile, Avadh Shah (Sting240) rounded out the top three with a 3rd place finish, taking home ₹1,67,000, further cementing his position among India’s rising poker stars. The event was a testament to the high level of competition in the NPS series, showcasing India’s growing talent in the online poker scene.
NPS#81 Thursday Thunder – ₹80L GTD
- Champion – Varun Vohra (BadBeat24) – ₹10,42,000
- Runner-up – Dhaval Mudgal (Rehab77) – ₹7,19,000
- 3rd Place – Subhojit Roy (Jellyfish99) – ₹5,47,000
The NPS#81 Thursday Thunder saw intense competition, with Varun Vohra (BadBeat24) claiming the championship title and securing a massive ₹10,42,000 payday. A consistent force in the high-stakes poker circuit, Vohra’s ability to navigate pressure-packed situations continues to reinforce his status as one of India’s top players. Dhaval Mudgal (Rehab77), a seasoned poker pro known for his deep tournament runs, finished runner-up, earning ₹7,19,000 after a strong performance. Meanwhile, Subhojit Roy delivered an impressive showing, clinching 3rd place and adding another deep run to his growing list of poker accomplishments. The event highlighted the elite talent emerging from India’s poker scene, with each player demonstrating exceptional strategic acumen and resilience.
NPS#80 Slamdunk – ₹50L GTD
- Champion – Anish Vijay (Fishlover001) – ₹5,75,000
- Runner-up – Deepankur Gupta (Dp179) – ₹4,00,000
- 3rd Place – Karan Pantola (Mahadevpoker) – ₹3,08,000
Other Major Poker Wins Across Platforms
Adda52 Mystery Bounty (₹5750 Buy-in | ₹36L GTD)
- Champion – Siddhanth Kripalani (Sidstack) – ₹3,14,490
- Runner-up – Sanat Mehrotra (mehro2511) – ₹2,28,217
- 3rd Place – KAdiamonds – ₹1,65,617
The Adda52 Mystery Bounty event (₹5750 Buy-in | ₹36L GTD) made history as India’s first-ever online mystery bounty tournament, revolutionizing the poker landscape with an exciting element of surprise. Unlike traditional bounty formats, this event introduced unpredictable bounty rewards, making each knockout an exhilarating moment. Siddhanth Kripalani (Sidstack) rose to the occasion, clinching the championship title and taking home ₹3,14,490 in winnings. Sanat Mehrotra (mehro2511) delivered a strong performance, finishing as the runner-up and earning ₹2,28,217, while KAdiamonds secured 3rd place with a payout of ₹1,65,617. This landmark event set a new precedent for bounty tournaments in India, capturing the attention of poker enthusiasts and marking a significant milestone in the country’s online poker evolution.
PokerStars Mini Highroller Heist (₹6900 Buy-in | ₹8L GTD)
- Champion – Raja31740388 – ₹1,97,122 (including ₹79,747 bounty)
- Runner-up – Lavesh Meena (magicodds98) – ₹1,14,766 (including ₹79,704 bounty)
- 3rd Place – Karan Radia (The Annihilator) – ₹63,110 (including ₹8,625 bounty)
Conclusion: Indian Poker is Stronger Than Ever
The latest results confirm that Indian poker players are making a lasting impact on the global stage. With multi-lakh paydays across Natural8 India, PokerBaazi, Adda52, and PokerStars, they are redefining the competitive poker landscape. Events like the NPS#82 Mega Rush Final and Adda52 Mystery Bounty illustrate the rapidly evolving poker scene in India.
As more high-stakes tournaments approach, Indian players are set to maintain their dominance. Stay tuned for more updates on the biggest winners and rising stars in online poker!
