I was a poker fan for the longest time, but seeing an Indian player, Aditya Agarwal (my former coach), as a global ambassador for PokerStars inspired me to pursue the game professionally. I now play online No-Limit Hold’em (NLH) tournaments professionally.

I’ve been playing professionally for 7 years.

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

To play online poker tournaments, the key skills include: 1. A strong grasp of probabilities and arithmetic 2. Strategic thinking and an understanding of game theory 3. The ability to quantify risk 4. Knowledge of behavioral psychology 5. A competitive mindset and the ability to make decisions under pressure and within limited time

Yes, I play poker for a living. I usually play 4–5 days a week for 6–8 hours a day. I spend the rest of the time studying the game, coaching, and maintaining a structured routine around it.

I only play NLH poker tournaments on trusted platforms. Before investing, I look for platform credibility, necessary certifications, a good user interface, and a strong tournament schedule.

The ability to apply study and preparation into quality decisions during tournaments, handle variance, stay resilient, and consistently access a flow state.

Fortunately, I haven’t encountered any scams. I always check for proper certifications before investing.

Yes, community engagement is crucial. In poker, especially with such a small community, players often rely on each other to report cheating and warn about fraudsters. While not all issues get resolved, these communities foster accountability and can push operators to act responsibly.

Anyone with an addictive personality can develop dependency issues. Poker, like many things, is highly engaging. I've been playing professionally for 7 years, take regular breaks, and avoid playing when I’m not mentally sharp. I treat poker as a job and maintain discipline. That said, operators should educate recreational players about financial risks and monitor for signs of ill-discipline to maintain a safe playing environment.

Yes, I’m aware of them, and I believe we need stronger regulations to protect players and ensure fair conduct by operators. Some platforms modify tournament structures to increase profitability, which can undermine the skill element of the game. Regulations should aim to preserve its integrity.

Recognize poker as a game of skill, not chance. If the variables used in poker weren’t cards but something else — like x13 and y12 instead of the King of Hearts and Queen of Clubs — public perception would be different. Yes, there's an element of luck, but that’s true for everything in life. Our national sport, cricket, starts with a toss. Arranged marriages are the biggest gamble I know. Poker can be studied, quantified, and improved. We use solvers, similar to chess engines, to analyze the game and develop mathematically sound strategies.

My team, Deccan Aces, won the Poker Sports League, and I was named Player of the Season. I’ve also won many online tournaments, particularly in short-field high roller formats. My biggest tournament win to date is ₹29 lakh.