The Poker Dream 17 series has officially wrapped up, and it has been nothing short of spectacular. The series featured massive fields, huge payouts, and breathtaking performances. Players from all around the world showcased their poker skills. Chun Keat Liu, a Malaysian high-roller, took home the Super High Roller title. However, it was Deepak Bothra and Alok Birewar from India who made their mark in the Main Event.
Let’s take a closer look at the incredible journey of India’s top poker pros in this thrilling series!
Chun Keat Liu Ships Super High Roller – $163,700 Victory!
Chun Keat Liu proved why he’s a force to be reckoned with in high-stakes poker, clinching the win in Event #31: Super High Roller at Poker Dream 17. With a hefty MYR 2,906,458 (~$649,800) prize pool, Liu took down the title with an impressive performance, securing $163,700 after defeating Australia’s David Yuan Jan Wang in heads-up play. Known for his strong track record, Liu’s victory marks another significant achievement in his poker career. His live earnings now sit just shy of the $2 million mark—an incredible accomplishment in the world of poker.
Event #31 Super High Roller Final Table Payouts
- 1st: Chun Keat Liu – $163,700
- 2nd: David Yuan Jan Wang – $110,700
- 3rd: Hsien Loong Foo – $71,900
- 4th: Yu Zhang – $59,500
- 5th: Jeremy Je Min Chan – $47,900
- 6th: Rafael Sitepu Sandhy – $37,900
- 7th: Eng Siang Ewe – $28,900
- 8th: Haohui Ma – $21,700
- 9th: Xiang Jun Thomas Po – $16,400
Indian Stars Deepak Bothra & Alok Birewar Shine in the Main Event
While Chun Keat Liu stole the headlines in the Super High Roller, it was Deepak Bothra and Alok Birewar who truly embodied the spirit of competition in the Poker Dream 17 Main Event. The tournament saw an impressive 1,974 entries and a massive prize pool of MYR 6,191,636 (~$1.4 million), with players from all corners of the globe battling it out for supremacy.
Bothra, a WPT titleholder, entered the final day of the Main Event with a strong chip stack of 1,450,000 chips. On the other hand, Birewar, despite starting with one of the shortest stacks at 540,000 chips, displayed incredible determination and resilience to make it deep into the event. Both players were putting India on the map, but unfortunately, neither made it to the final table.
- Deepak Bothra finished in 22nd place, taking home MYR 31,900 ($7,225).
- Alok Birewar made an impressive run and exited in 19th place, earning MYR 37,300 ($8,445) for his efforts.
Despite not making it to the final table, Bothra and Birewar’s deep runs are a testament to the growing strength of Indian poker players on the international stage. Making it to the final 24 out of 1,974 entries is no small feat, showcasing both players’ elite skill and determination.
Other Indian players also made their presence felt in the Main Event, including Nishant Sharma, a three-time Poker Dream Main Event champion, who finished in 65th place, earning MYR 11,400 (~$2,580).
The Final Chapter of Poker Dream 17
As the series came to a close, the final table of the Poker Dream 17 Main Event was set, with Qiu Haisheng emerging as the chip leader and a shot at the top prize of MYR 961,000 (~$204,000). The event proved to be a showcase of not just skill but also heart, as players fought tooth and nail for the coveted title.
Final 9 Chip Counts
- Qiu Haisheng – 8,590,000
- Wang Zuyou – 7,400,000
- Chen Hongren – 7,000,000
- Wang Jingyi – 5,110,000
- Ong Dingxiang – 5,080,000
- Li Ying – 3,720,000
- Lakomy Ondrej – 3,110,000
- Guo Jingwei – 3,090,000
- Chong Zheng Eu Cliff – 2,210,000
Conclusion
Poker Dream 17 was a wild ride, and India has once again proven it’s a serious contender on the global poker scene. While Deepak Bothra and Alok Birewar didn’t capture the ultimate title, their performances have left an indelible mark on this prestigious series. With India’s poker community growing stronger by the day, it’s only a matter of time before we see more players take home titles and accolades at international poker tournaments.
Congratulations to the Indian players for their stellar performances, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these poker stars
