Meet Mr. Kapil Arora, a seasoned poker player and a key figure in India’s poker industry! With several achievements and accolades under his belt, this 40-year-old MBA graduate from Delhi is a true leader and game changer with more than 15 years of experience across marketing and business operations.
Currently serving as the AVP for Poker Business Operations at Flutter’s Junglee Poker, Kapil has been associated with several leading poker brands in the past, including Mobile Premier League (MPL) Poker and Adda52 of Deltatech Gaming. He boasts a remarkable poker resume with final table appearances in India’s prestigious events such as IPC High Roller, DPT Main Event, and DPT High Roller. Notably, he has shipped the Kč 1,700 No Limit Hold’em – 1/2 Million at Rebuy Stars Million in Prague.
Kapil is a force to be reckoned with in India’s online poker realm and has taken down many prestigious online tournament titles, including The Elite, Destiny, BSS Superstack, and Godfather.
PokerNewz recently got the chance to interview Mr. Kapil Arora for an insightful conversation on his remarkable journey as a poker player and business leader. From his introduction to poker during his Groupon days to his current leadership role, Kapil shared some captivating insights into his poker endeavors. He shed light on how poker’s strategic aspect influenced his approach to shaping business operations. He delved into India’s poker ecosystem evolution, emphasizing the role of technological innovation, storytelling, the impact of celebrity endorsements, and the surge in popularity of poker coaching. Kapil also provided insights into responsible gaming, and strategies for encouraging female participation in poker. Finally, he ended the interview on a great note with advice for both players and businesses aspiring to thrive in the poker industry.
Here are the excerpts of the interview:
PokerNewz: Hi Mr. Kapil Arora, thank you for speaking with us. Could you take us through your introduction to poker and how your journey as a player eventually led you to a leadership role in various leading poker brands, culminating in your current position as AVP for poker business operations at Junglee Poker?
Kapil Arora: Well, I got into poker way back in 2010-11 when some friends introduced me to this beautiful sport during my Groupon days. Initially, it was just for fun, but I got hooked on the strategic aspects of the game such as decision-making, risk management, and understanding people. Starting my journey with a bunch of peers and colleagues, I eventually moved into a circle where poker was played professionally. As I delved deeper, poker became more of a social engagement, connecting me with a lot of intelligent and smart individuals. My fascination with online gaming intensified especially after I observed and analyzed its business potential in India. Leveraging my retail and e-commerce background, coupled with my passion for poker, I made a seamless transition into the online gaming space. After several years of dedication, this journey culminated in securing a role at Adda52.
PokerNewz: Reflecting on your dual roles as a poker player and a leader in poker business operations, can you share some of your most memorable moments and achievements on the poker table and discuss how those things have influenced your approach to shaping the business side of poker?
Kapil Arora: I have a handful of achievements such as winning a live poker title in Prague, finishing sixth in the DPT Main Event and placing fourth in the DPT High Roller. In my first live event, IPC High Roller, I secured a sixth-place rank. While I achieved success in various live tournaments, I kind of adopted more towards online poker where I have shipped many events like The Elite, Destiny, Godfather, and BSS Superstack. I have also secured a runner-up finish in the 1 Crore GTD Millionaire .
The key takeaway from poker is understanding risks and comprehending the opponent’s moves on the poker table. Learning from opponents in poker parallels learning from consumers in business, discerning their pain points, needs and feedback on the product, and using it all to improve the product.
PokerNewz: You have witnessed India’s poker ecosystem from a very nascent stage, can you elaborate on how you’ve seen it expand over the years and what factors are responsible for its expansion?
Kapil Arora: Certainly, India’s poker ecosystem has seen a remarkable growth especially in the last 3 years, with the game’s appeal extending to a wider audience. This growth is largely because of the fact that you have been able to attract users from diverse gaming backgrounds. The ecosystem expansion owes much to the inspirational winner stories in the online poker world, showcasing the positive experiences of players. The idea here is to create an enjoyable and entertaining atmosphere for players, going beyond just winning or losing. Also, the innovative products, amalgamation of different games and the crossover of users from other games have considerably helped in the expansion of the poker ecosystem.
PokerNewz: What about the celebrity endorsements? Have celebrity endorsements also played a role in the growth of India’s poker ecosystem?
Kapil Arora: To some extent, I would say ‘yes’. At least known poker players bring more credibility and their success stories add more to the game’s growth. Celebrity endorsement is a recent phenomenon where a mix of known poker players, established poker pros, and Bollywood celebrities along with micro and macro influencers are helping significantly to reach out to a wider audience. While having a big celebrity under a brand helps to expand the user base, the ultimate success lies in a combination of factors like technology, product quality, and focus on the user. So, it is not just about the celebrity; it is more about having the right product and a focus on the user experience.
PokerNewz: Poker coaching is gaining popularity in India and it is playing a key role in the growth of the game. How do you perceive the current coaching system, and in your opinion, what gaps or areas of improvement exist that could further enhance the quality of poker coaching in the country?
Kapil Arora: Poker coaching has recently gained popularity, with more and more players taking the sport seriously and recognizing the need for coaching to excel at the sport. However, the current coaching system is not very organized and affordable. While there is a lot of free content available online, it is not tailored for the specific needs of the Indian audience and also lacks two-way communication.
Unlike traditional education systems, poker strategies are not one-size-fits-all, making it quite challenging to have a standardized module. So, it is essential to create a cohesive environment within the player community, where interactive discussions and learning can happen. While some international platforms like ‘Run It Once’ offer coaching, they are financially burdensome for the beginners. Establishing a beginner-friendly and interactive community with free resources and two-way communication is key for fostering interest and learning in poker.
PokerNewz: Technology has been playing a key role in the poker industry’s growth. How has technology influenced the industry, and what role does it play in enhancing the gaming experience for players?
Kapil Arora: Technology is playing a key role and it is important for delivering a superior product and ensuring seamless user experience. Notable innovations like UPI payments and seamless software upgrades have led to the growth of the gaming ecosystem. Other technological advancements in graphics and animations have helped players to experience more immersive gaming. Technological infrastructure has improved, allowing a large pool of players to play big tournaments without any hiccups.
PokerNewz: Responsible gaming is a major concern. What steps do you believe are crucial from the players’ perspective for ensuring responsible gaming practices as the industry progresses into the future?
Kapil Arora: I think a player needs to understand that it is his responsibility to manage his bankroll wisely and consider essential elements like adjusting stakes for a healthier gaming experience. Players should look at poker as entertainment rather than solely a source of income, acknowledging its potential risks. The gaming platforms are actively promoting responsible gaming features, allowing users to set deposit limits, choose specific games, and even self-exclude if needed. I think all the platforms should come together to establish a consensus on protective thresholds, creating a cohesive environment for player well-being.
PokerNewz: We have seen an increasing number of female players entering the poker scene. In your opinion, what strategies or initiatives can further encourage their participation in poker?
Kapil Arora: Yes, female participation in poker is increasing. Much like other sports, poker is gradually becoming more gender-neutral. While there is still a predominant male player base, it is changing and becoming more diverse because the taboo surrounding gender is fast-fading away. The recent success and achievements by female poker players have also contributed to further dispelling these stereotypes. From a strategic perspective, I believe it is crucial to approach poker as any other game, breaking those preconceived notions about its exclusivity to a certain gender. It is important to encourage diverse participation, and at the same time, recognize that poker involves strategy and math, which is essential for any sport’s growth. Poker is not just about gambling or money; it is about reaching out to a wider audience, regardless of gender. We need to facilitate learning about the game, highlight its strategic elements and the critical thinking involved to encourage a more widespread and inclusive participation in poker.
PokerNewz: Finally, what is your message or advice for poker players and businesses aspiring to thrive in the dynamic poker industry?
Kapil Arora: For a player, it is important to thoroughly learn and understand the game before just jumping into it and playing it. Investing time in studying, playing responsibly, managing bankroll wisely, and not solely focusing on making money are critical. On the business front, almost every business has a different way of approaching things. However, I believe that getting the product right and learning from user feedback are key elements. Users often provide valuable insights that your internal teams might not come up with. Prioritizing user experiences and ensuring the best in class of customer support are essential for long-term success.
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