Leading Ladies of Poker

Leading Ladies

WORDS BY MRINAL GUJARE

The year 2021 is going to be a special one. After facing our worst fears, we have somehow managed to get back on our feet after getting beaten and battered by a virus. While that war may be still on, we chatted with some dynamic women poker players to find out what Women’s Day means to them and how the world of poker can welcome more talented women poker players.

Nikita Luther

We asked this 2018 WSOP Tag Team Event winner about the significance of Woman’s Day. “It’s nice to celebrate womanhood. I truly believe that we are the stronger gender, the more stable gender. A woman is capable of motherhood and there is nothing more powerful than being a mother. It is a beautiful thing to take a moment and celebrate what it is to be a woman. At the same time, there is also no day to celebrate men in particular; celebrate both women and men equally. There mustn’t be any sexism in any way,” she said. The poker powerhouse feels that women have an advantage due to their ability to control their emotions and bankrolls. Luther believes that women can make better poker players as compared to men, since women have a sincere approach towards the game.

We asked Luther about one change she would like to see in the current Indian poker scenario. “I would like to see more women participating in the game and generating more awareness about it as a mind sport and not a game of chance. The mathematical and skill aspect of the game has to be brought to the fore. Women should take it up if poker is their true passion instead of doing conventional jobs,” she said. We also quizzed this Spartan Poker Team Pro about that one female poker player whom she admires the most. The poker pro was quick to respond! Luther stated that Kristen Bicknell is one woman poker player she admires a lot for her game and the grit. She said that Bicknell is tough to play against and is a worthy competitor. Further, she added how Bicknell is among the top players across the globe and her achievements prove to be a source of inspiration. She said it was ‘Bicknell’s strong presence at the table’ which made her stand out. The fun conversation ended with us grilling Luther about a possible situation where a woman player wins the upcoming WSOP 2021 Main Event! The poker dynamo felt that the poker industry will experience a boom “ if a woman clinches such a prestigious title, very similar to the one witnessed when Chris Moneymaker won in the past.

I would like to see more women participating in the game and generating more awareness about poker as a mind sport and not a game of chance. The mathematical and skill aspect of the game has to be brought to the fore. Women should take it up if poker is their true passion instead of doing conventional jobs.

Niharika Bindra

The ever so gorgeous Niharika Bindra is absolutely right when she says, “Even if the poker industry feels male dominated, women players need to keep at it and work hard which will surely bring positive results.” Furthermore, Bindra adds that for women to venture into poker, it is critical that the game is legalized across the country and seen as a mind sport. Poker should be allowed in clubs, gymkhanas among other places where women of all ages can step in and enjoy a game just like bridge and rummy, she said. When quizzed about her favourite women poker players, Bindra named Vanessa Selbst and Liv Boeree. Bindra spoke about the former being the winner of three WSOP bracelets, and the only woman poker player to do so.

We threw a curve ball at Bindra and asked her if she would like to swap a day with another woman poker player and the diva replied saying she wouldn’t swap her life with anyone!

Bindra highlighted how a woman poker player winning a WSOP Main Event will prove to be a gamechanger. If a female poker player manages to win the WSOP Main Event it will surely elevate the position of women players in the industry,” she said.

Even if the poker industry feels male dominated, women players need to keep at it and work hard. This will surely bring positive results. “

Simran Malhotra

“It’s wonderful to acknowledge and appreciate a day that is dedicated to all the hardworking ladies for all that they do for their loved ones. If we investigate our past there are a lot of examples of how our gender has been treated. For me, this day acknowledges that fact and signifies a change in the right direction,” said Malhotra when we asked her about Women’s Day. We also quizzed her on how she celebrates this special day. “Spending the day with the most beautiful and wonderful women, my mother and sisters. That’s my celebration”, she said. We could not help but ask Malhotra about the woman poker player she admires both domestic and internationally. “Maria Lampropulos is someone I look up to and admire a lot. Her achievements speak for all the hard work she puts in. What a player! I have spent hours watching her videos and cannot wait to meet her and pick her brain,” she said. Malhotra, who also featured in our What Women Wear series, stated that, “When it comes to domestic players, I recently got the most amazing opportunity to play with India’s finest woman poker players, Nikita Luther, Niharika Bindra, Smita Agarwalla, Radhika Shankar, Muskan Sethi, Kanchan Sharma and Mahima Walia Das, thanks to Poker Sports League (PSL). These women players are all amazing and were so welcoming. I appreciate all of them.”

It’s wonderful to acknowledge and appreciate a day that is dedicated to all the hardworking ladies for all that they do for their loved ones.

We at Gutshot Magazine, would like to take a moment to appreciate and thank all the hard working and determined women poker players who are setting the perfect example for aspiring female players in the country. We hope to see many more women players coming to the fore with their unwavering desire to make a mark in the poker industry.

LUCKY DAYS

As the sun set on the last day in January, it was about to rise for the new India Online Poker Championship (IOPC) Main Event Champion, Laksh Pal Singh aka ‘LuckyBhai$.’ On 1 February 2021, Laksh took home the crown, an 18K gold badge and then some. As we catch up with this aggressive young gun on his biggest title yet, we realise just how much blood, sweat and tears it has taken to woo success.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A PLAYER?

As a player I would say I’m aggressive and solid at the same time. I try not to skew too much, even though it’s inevitable sometimes but I like to believe that I am disciplined.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I grew up in Gurugram. I went to The Shri Ram School Aravali post which I was at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University. During that time I didn’t play much poker. Post college, when I was doing my CA articleship at Grant Thornton, I was introduced to the game by a very dear friend, Sahil Mahboobani, who happened to be my batchmate’s cousin. As kids we used to play basketball together whenever he visited his cousin (who lived in the same building as me) from Hong Kong. We reconnected again when he returned to India around 2015. He was the one who introduced me to the game. I used to watch him play on PokerStars for hours at a stretch and I would try to learn as much as I could. I would say from the get-go I was really passionate about the game and that led me to explore it a lot more. I started with some cash games, followed by micro stakes games by myself. At times, Mahboobani used to even stake me. He guided me throughout the initial stages of my career.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO INTO THE GAME PROFESSIONALLY?

The day I decided to do this full-time, I wasn’t really sure about my capabilities. It was a bit of a gamble and a leap of faith in the sense that I was going to give up on everything else I was doing and just play poker. I was not skilled enough to take that decision. But I was lucky enough to get the mentorship of Sahil and Mr Sumit Sapra who helped me and guided me during the early stages of my professional career. Sapra was very influential and I improved tremendously as a player in the short period of time that I spent under his mentorship.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ASSOCIATION WITH POKERGURU.

I joined PokerGuru (PG) in 2018, after having been under Mr Sapra for about six months. I remember seeing Ashish Ahuja winning everything and crushing, and in one of his Facebook posts he had mentioned Aditya Agarwal as a poker god and that’s what made me want to learn from Adi and join PG. Since then it’s been smooth sailing and I obviously credit my success to PokerGuru staking.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAMILY’S REACTION WHEN YOU DECIDED YOU WANTED TO GO PRO?

It was obviously a nightmare to break it to my family. In the beginning, they didn’t know much about the game and weren’t very happy with my unorthodox career choice. But over time, they saw my passion and dedication towards my craft, and are now extremely supportive and are happy to see me follow my dreams.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE TRANSFORMATION IN YOUR GAME FROM THE TIME YOU STARTED TILL NOW?

When I first started, I used to play very tight, just like everyone does when they first start playing. But as I gained more experience, received more coaching, worked with softwares, I obviously saw a big transformation in my game. At PokerGuru, I’ve gotten better each day and learnt about concepts and areas of the game which I had no idea about.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH DOWNSWINGS? AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER PLAYERS WHO ARE

I FEEL IT’S IMPORTANT NOT “ TO LET ANY BIG WIN OR LOSS GO TO YOUR HEAD AND TO JUST KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING, WITH HUMILITY AND DETERMINATION.

EXPERIENCING IT?

Downswings are inevitable, and as a professional you have to be prepared to go through these periods. In India, we are playing stakes and fields which are much smaller compared to international players. So I would say we haven’t really seen how brutal downswings can be. Downswings can of course be frustrating. Different players deal with it in different ways. Some players just fight it and continue playing through a downswing but others take a few days off. It really depends on what fits you best. I have tried both and both seem to work for me, at different times. Other than that, I talk to my friends and poker buddies and they lift up my spirits and motivate me always.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A BIG TOURNAMENT OR A MAIN EVENT?

The preparation never stops. It goes on throughout the year. If it’s a big series coming up then I probably do a few more coaching sessions and put in a few more hours. It’s important to go with the flow and not stress too much and treat it just like any other day.

TELL US HOW YOU FELT ABOUT SHIPPING THE IOPC MAIN EVENT.

This is the biggest tournament I have won, so it’s been a really big achievement in terms of money as well as prestige. It’s one of the biggest tournaments of the year, with a huge prize pool and that wonderful crown to go with it so it was a great feeling! At the same time, I feel it’s important not to let any big win or loss go to your head and to just keep on doing what you’re doing, with humility and determination.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR MESSAGE TO BUDDING PLAYERS?

Study the game, work on your game as much as you can. Try to get coached in order to get your basics right and then try to improve every day. Remember that it’s a journey, and if you work hard, the rewards will come to you!

The afterglow of the crowning moment seems to have only made ‘LuckyBhai$’ more humble, grounded and ready for the next big goal. We look forward to more moments of magic from this young star.

Rapid Fire

FAVOURITE PLAYER:

Michael Addamo

FAVOURITE VENUE: Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

YOUR INSPIRATION IN POKER IN INDIA:

Aditya Agarwal

YOUR BEST POKER BUDDIES:

Sahil Mahboobani, Ashish Munot, Ankit Wadhawan, Abhinav Iyer and the list goes on. Blessed to have met such amazing people in the poker world

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW YOU FEEL AFTER WINNING THE IOPC MAIN EVENT: Proud