Friday night poker on PokerBaazi’s National Poker Series (NPS) was nothing short of spectacular, with players delivering thrilling performances across multiple high-stakes tournaments. From deep-stacked battles to fast-paced sprints, the competition was fierce, and the rewards were substantial. Here’s a detailed look at the standout performances from the latest NPS events and other major tournaments.
Key Takeaways
- Shiven Meena’s Consistency: His ₹3.41L win in the 6-MAX SPRINT highlights his ability to dominate fast-paced formats.
- Shagun Jain’s Mega Haul: His ₹11.92L victory in the Friday Freestyle cements his status as one of NPS’s top performers.
- Bounty Brilliance: Players like patwayash and gutshot showcased the lucrative potential of PKO formats on PokerStars.
- Deep-Stack Dominance: Nitin Rawat and Yogesh Choudhary proved that patience and strategic play lead to consistent results.
Top Indian Poker Players on Natural8 India
KL55KINGFISH – Total Winnings: ₹2,62,256
- Winner – Bounty Hunters Fifty Stack 5.40 (₹2,62,256) KL55KINGFISH displayed a dominant performance in the Bounty Hunters Fifty Stack 5.40, securing the top spot and a hefty prize of ₹2,62,256. Their ability to exploit bounty mechanics and execute strategic eliminations showcased their expertise in knockout formats.
Sandeep Varma (effuno99) – Total Winnings: ₹1,50,395
- 6th Place – GGMasters Double Stack 25 (₹1,50,395) Sandeep Varma, known online as effuno99, navigated a highly competitive field in the GGMasters Double Stack 25, finishing in 6th place and adding ₹1,50,395 to his poker earnings. His deep run in this prestigious event further cements his place among India’s rising poker talents.
Shiven Meena’s Victory in NPS#89 (6-MAX) SPRINT
Shiven Meena (Sampapa) emerged as the star of the night, clinching the top spot in the NPS#89 (6-MAX) SPRINT (Buy-IN: ₹2,300, GTD: 25L). Meena navigated a tough field to claim ₹3,41,000, showcasing his ability to dominate short-handed formats. Close behind, Sachit Malik (Happihigh) secured second place with ₹2,39,000, while M Jimmy (Bluffmaster055) rounded out the podium with ₹1,82,000.
Acesclub’s Dominance in NPS#88 SLAMDUNK
The NPS#88 SLAMDUNK (Buy-IN: ₹4,600, GTD: 50L) crowned Acesclub as its champion, with the player walking away with a massive ₹6,33,000. Mithun Mahesh (Thepokeraja) claimed second place (₹4,42,000), and Vishal Bajaj (Vishzz) finished third (₹3,40,000).
Vishal Bajaj (Vishzz), who secured third place in the NPS#88 SLAMDUNK (₹3,40,000), has been steadily carving his niche in India’s competitive poker circuit. Known for his disciplined approach and knack for navigating tough fields, Bajaj has consistently delivered strong performances in PokerBaazi’s marquee events. A regular in high-stakes tournaments, he made headlines earlier this year with a deep run in the NPS#55 (7-MAX) SPRINT, where he finished fourth for ₹1.92 Lakh. Hailing from Delhi, Bajaj’s strategic aggression and ability to adapt to dynamic table dynamics have earned him respect among peers. His latest podium finish in the Slamdunk event underscores his growing reputation as a formidable contender in the NPS
Shagun Jain’s Mega Win in NPS#87 (7-MAX) FRIDAY FREESTYLE
The NPS#87 (7-MAX) FRIDAY FREESTYLE (Buy-IN: ₹10,350, GTD: 1 Crore) saw Shagun Jain (Sogani22) deliver a masterclass performance, taking home a staggering ₹11,92,000. Karan Sitlani (Collingwood) finished second with ₹8,28,000, while ThelnternetKid secured third place and ₹6,32,000.
Yogesh Choudhary’s Triumph in NPS#86 RUN-UP
Yogesh Choudhary (Pokerbrat0118) showcased his skills in the NPS#86 RUN-UP (Buy-IN: ₹2,070, GTD: 25L), securing the top prize of ₹2,03,000. TILTEDF1SH claimed second place (₹2,45,000), and Abhinav Nath (Supernova11) took home ₹1,99,000 for third place.
Nitin Rawat’s Deepstack Mastery in NPS#85 (7-MAX) FRIDAY DEEPSTACK
Nitin Rawat (Gambler42) dominated the NPS#85 (7-MAX) FRIDAY DEEPSTACK (Buy-IN: ₹2,880, GTD: 30L), claiming the top prize of ₹3,58,000. Rajat Sharma (LungFakeer) finished second with ₹2,47,000, while Anurag Srivastava (Rebuy2survive) secured third place and ₹1,88,000.
Rajat Sharma’s Calculated Climb in the NPS
Rajat Sharma (LungFakeer), who secured second place in the NPS#85 (7-MAX) FRIDAY DEEPSTACK (₹2,47,000), has been quietly building a reputation as a cerebral and patient grinder in India’s online poker scene. Known for his methodical play and ability to exploit opponents’ tendencies, Sharma has consistently cashed in PokerBaazi’s flagship series. The Mumbai-based player first gained attention in 2023 with a runner-up finish in the NPS#42 DEEPSTACK (₹1.78 Lakh), followed by a deep run in the Godfather 25L GTD (6th place, ₹1.02 Lakh). His alias “LungFakeer” reflects his unorthodox bluffing style and knack for reading table dynamics. Sharma’s latest podium finish in the Friday Deepstack highlights his evolution as a player capable of balancing aggression with disciplined bankroll management.
Anurag Srivastava’s NPS Legacy
Anurag Srivastava (Rebuy2survive), who secured third place in the NPS#85 (7-MAX) FRIDAY DEEPSTACK (₹1,88,000), has cemented himself as one of the most consistent performers in PokerBaazi’s National Poker Series. A seasoned grinder with a knack for deep runs, Srivastava first rose to prominence in 2023 with a jaw-dropping ₹9.62 Lakh victory in the NPS#74 WEDNESDAY VOLLEY, one of the largest scores in the series’ history. Known for his calm demeanor and strategic use of rebuys (reflected in his alias “Rebuy2survive”), the Lucknow-based player has racked up over ₹25 Lakh in NPS earnings alone. His recent final table finishes include a 4th place in the NPS#68 HYPER SPRINT (₹1.45 Lakh) and a runner-up spot in the Godfather 25L GTD (₹3.11 Lakh). Srivastava’s ability to adapt to varying stack depths and exploit passive opponents makes him a perennial threat in marquee events.
DaxKap’s Marathon Victory in NPS#84 MARATHON
The NPS#84 MARATHON (Buy-IN: ₹2,070, GTD: 25L) saw DaxKap emerge victorious, taking home ₹2,55,000. Shubham Upadhyay (5454Sh) claimed second place (₹2,49,000), and Subh Jain (Pokernoob91) rounded out the podium with ₹1,59,000.
PokerBaazi’s National Poker Series (NPS) Highlights
NPS#89 (6-MAX) SPRINT – 25L GTD
- Buy-In: ₹2,300
- Champion: Shiven Meena (Sampapa) – ₹341,000
- Runner-Up: Sachit Malik (Happihigh) – ₹239,000
- 3rd Place: M Jimmy (Bluffmaster055) – ₹182,000
Shiven Meena dazzled in the sprint event, outlasting a fierce field to secure the top prize, while Sachit Malik and M Jimmy ensured a highly competitive final table.
NPS#88 SLAMDUNK – 50L GTD
- Buy-In: ₹4,600
- Champion: Acesclub – ₹633,000
- Runner-Up: Mithun Mahesh (Thepokeraja) – ₹442,000
- 3rd Place: Vishal Bajaj (Vishzz) – ₹340,000
Acesclub’s aggressive play led him to victory in SLAMDUNK, with Mithun Mahesh and Vishal Bajaj also posting strong finishes.
NPS#87 (7-MAX) FRIDAY FREESTYLE – 1Cr GTD
- Buy-In: ₹10,350
- Champion: Shagun Jain (Sogani22) – ₹1,192,000
- Runner-Up: Karan Sitlani (Collingwood) – ₹828,000
- 3rd Place: ThelnternetKid – ₹632,000
In this dynamic 7-max showdown, Shagun Jain’s fearless strategy earned him a huge payday, while Karan Sitlani and ThelnternetKid delivered competitive performances.
NPS#86 RUN-UP – 25L GTD
- Buy-In: ₹2,070
- Champion: Yogesh Choudhary (Pokerbrat0118) – ₹203,000
- Runner-Up: TILTEDF1SH – ₹245,000
- 3rd Place: Abhinav Nath (Supernova11) – ₹199,000
A game of rapid shifts and high stakes, the RUN-UP event showcased tight, calculated play with Yogesh Choudhary emerging as the winner.
- NPS#85 (7-MAX) FRIDAY DEEPSTACK – 30L GTD
- Buy-In: ₹2,880
- Champion: Nitin Rawat (Gambler42) – ₹358,000
- Runner-Up: Rajat Sharma (LungFakeer) – ₹247,000
- 3rd Place: Anurag Srivastava (Rebuy2survive) – ₹188,000
- In the deepstack format, Nitin Rawat’s endurance and tactical finesse led him to victory in a grueling battle.
NPS#84 MARATHON – 25L GTD
- Buy-In: ₹2,070
- Champion: DaxKap – ₹255,000
- Runner-Up: Shubham Upadhyay (5454Sh) – ₹249,000
- 3rd Place: Subh Jain (Pokernoob91) – ₹159,000
- The Marathon event tested all participants, with DaxKap’s steady play ultimately carrying him to the top.
Adda52’s The Ballers: Rishab Malik’s Big Win
On Adda52, Rishab Malik (Rish1994) triumphed in The Ballers (Buy-IN: ₹8,050, GTD: 18.76L), earning ₹3,61,952. Ashit Sharma (nexus010) secured second place (₹2,67,521), and Ashwin Vijay (Ashwinvijay1399) finished third (₹1,97,731).
Rishab Malik’s Meteoric Rise
Rishab Malik (Rish1994), who triumphed in Adda52’s The Ballers (₹3,61,952), is rapidly solidifying his status as one of India’s most formidable online poker talents. Malik’s explosive start to 2024 saw him emerge as the third-highest prize winner in the second week of January, amassing a staggering ₹18 Lakh+ in just seven days. A three-time Millionaire titleholder, Malik’s strategic precision and fearless aggression have earned him deep runs in marquee tournaments, including fifth-place finishes in The Summit and Daily Mini High Roller. His ability to dominate both mid-stakes and high-stakes fields makes him a prime contender for the upcoming AOPS ME 2024 title. With a knack for converting small edges into massive payouts and a track record of consistency, Malik is poised to take the virtual felts by storm this year.
PokerStars Friday Furiosa: patwayash’s Bounty Haul
PokerStars’ Friday Furiosa 7L GTD (Buy-IN: ₹3,450) crowned patwayash as its champion, with the player raking in a total of ₹1,43,114 (₹61,575 prize + ₹81,539 bounties). mohsin shaikh (gongo) claimed second place (₹83,407 total: ₹61,540 + ₹21,867 bounties), while gutshot secured third place (₹67,373 total: ₹39,952 + ₹27,421 bounties).
Adda52 & PokerStars Spotlight
The Ballers on Adda52 – 18.76L GTD
- Buy-In: ₹8,050
- Champion: Rishab Malik (Rish1994) – ₹361,952
- Runner-Up: Ashit Sharma (nexus010) – ₹267,521
- 3rd Place: Ashwin Vijay (Ashwinvijay1399) – ₹197,731
- High-energy action in “The Ballers” saw Rishab Malik lead with a spectacular win in this high-variance event.
Friday Furiosa on PokerStars – 7L GTD
- Buy-In: ₹3,450
- Champion: patwayash – ₹143,114 (Prize: ₹61,575 + Bounty: ₹81,539)
- Runner-Up: mohsin shaikh (gongo) – ₹83,407 (Prize: ₹61,540 + Bounty: ₹21,867)
- 3rd Place: gutshot – ₹67,373 (Prize: ₹39,952 + Bounty: ₹27,421)
- PokerStars’ Friday Furiosa delivered intense final-table action, with patwayash clinching the title in a fiercely contested event.
Final Thoughts: Friday Night Fireworks
Friday’s poker action was a testament to the skill and determination of India’s top players. With massive prize pools, innovative formats, and fierce competition, platforms like PokerBaazi, Adda52, and PokerStars continue to provide unparalleled opportunities for players to shine.
As the NPS and other series progress, the stakes are only getting higher. Stay tuned for more updates as the poker action unfolds!
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