#TG Life
Poker is a game that many believe depends on luck, but that is not the case. The game is a matter of pure skill, said Roadies fame TV presenter and actor Rannvijay Singh Singha, who was in Goa on the backdrop of the ongoing Indian Poker Championship, India’s biggest tournament poker event, currently underway at Big Daddy in Panaji. The event is being organised by Big Daddy Entertainment along with Spartan Poker.
“Poker is growing a lot over the past few years. The game involves skill rather than luck. It is about reading people and a lot depends on how you play the game. If you are skilled enough, you can win even with cards that are considered bad,” said Rannvijay. “Indian Poker Championship is offering a platform to Indian poker players, which gives them an opportunity to gain exposure and even represent India abroad,” he added.
The event has a total guarantee of Rs 3 crores with the Rs 35,000 main event having a guaranteed prize pool of Rs 1.6 crores and the Rs 1 lakh highroller event having a guaranteed prize pool of Rs 1 crore.
Elaborating more on the prospects for poker in India, Rannvijay averred that the game has potential to be a good career opportunity. “Indeed. In the past 4-5 years, I have seen people leave good advertising jobs to pursue a career in poker in India, thanks to such tournaments and to firms like Spartan Poker who supports it,” stated the TV presenter, informing that he developed an interest in the game owing to his younger brother.
“It was my younger brother and his friends who used to play poker. There was no money, but they played it as it as a game of skill. That made me curious, and I got into the game,” said Rannvijay. “It is fascinating how the same cards could mean different things in different games. Utilising your skills and reading people correctly in a game gives you a rush,” Rannvijay stated.
Asked on a casual note whether he would teach poker to his daughter Kainaat, Rannvijay stated, “Why not? My father taught me bridge. Similarly, I will teach my daughter poker.”
The 2019 edition of the IPC is going to present its participants a total of 3 crores GTD and is set to be played out across five days in Goa. The main events will be spread across three days - September 13, September 14 and September 15, while the final day will feature the Headhunter event.
