Meet Abhishek Goindi, a name synonymous with excellence in the world of poker in India. Hailing from Bengaluru, the silicon city of India, his poker journey is nothing short of remarkable. He holds the distinction of winning the first Indian Player of the Year (IPOY) award in 2011. The co-founder of Poker Bootcamp India and currently one of the finest coaches in the country, Goindi has not only dominated numerous poker tables but has also significantly contributed to the poker community through his coaching and mentorship over the years.
A Trailblazer in Indian Poker
Goindi’s influence as a poker coach has been profound. He has mentored hundreds of players, many of whom have achieved notable successes in both online and live poker. Recently, many of his mentees clinched medals at the National Poker Series of India, a testament to his effective coaching methods.
Early Beginnings and Rise to Prominence
Goindi is one of the earliest poker players from the country whose poker journey started in 2007. He was introduced to the game by a friend during his school days. At the age of just 17 when many of his classmates were watching ‘Pokemon’, this multi-talented pro was busy honing his skills in poker. By the time he joined Christ College in Bengaluru for graduation, Goindi was already a regular at playing micro-stakes cash games with friends. He even worked with HSBC bank in 2010 before his passion for poker led him to leave the corporate world and pursue the game full-time.
His professional journey took off at the first-ever IPC edition in 2010, where he made an impressive start by finishing 6th in the 25k Main Event. Since then, there has been no looking back. His rise in the world of poker has been just unstoppable, establishing him as one of the most respected players and coaches in India.
A Stellar Poker Resume
Goinid, who credits some of his early success to French poker veteran Philippe Davis who taught him valuable tricks and staked him, has an impressive live and online poker resume. With $330,770 in live tournament winnings, Goindi is a formidable force on the live felts. His biggest score to date came in the 2012 Macau Poker Cup – Red Dragon Event in Macau, where he placed runner-up for $136,245. Over the years, he has won live titles at prestigious events like Aces Unlimited, India Poker Legend, APT Manila, Deltin Poker Tournament and more.
In addition to his live poker success, Goindi has made a name for himself in India’s online poker landscape. His online resume boasts over 27 online poker titles, including victories in IOPC Sunday Prime, Godfather, Wednesday High Roller, Sunday Superstack and several other big events. His biggest online score to date came in 2020 in the IOPC #99 – Super High Roller (1 Crore GTD) where he finished fourth for INR 13,23,120.
Beyond Poker
Outside the poker realm, Goindi is an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying basketball, cricket, football, and tennis. His diverse interests not only reflect his multifaceted personality but also help him to perform optimally both on the live and virtual felts.
Our Exclusive Interview With Abhishek Goindi
Recently, we had the privilege of interviewing Abhishek Goindi. He shared insights into his poker journey, his coaching approach, the notable achievements of his mentees, and his views on the current coaching and its future in India. He also discussed his plans for the WSOP 2024 along with his advice for the WSOP first-timers.
Watch the video below to hear directly from him about his inspiring poker journey and insightful perspectives.
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