The World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2024 is already halfway through its schedule and it has been a memorable journey for Team India. The Indian players have already achieved significant results, claiming an six impressive final table finishes, including the historic WSOP 2024 Super High Roller victory by Santhosh Suvarna, who came close to winning his second WSOP 2024 bracelet yesterday in the $50K High Roller PLO event.
These achievements and results highlight the skill and determination of Indian poker professionals as well as the growing prominence of poker in India. Be it seasoned players or first-time WSOP goers, Indian players have demonstrated extraordinary prowess and strategic acumen.
The performances and results of Indian players have amazed people across the globe and have brought pride to the Indian poker community. While poker pro Santhosh Suvarna managed to grab the gold for the country, several other players landed close to the gold but missed by a few spots.
Some of the Indian contingent reached the final table of events and recorded impressive results but fell short of victory. Nevertheless, these final table finishes at WSOP 2024 showcase the competitive spirit and potential talent of Indian players in one of the most prestigious poker tournaments worldwide.
Kartik Ved Finishes 4th in WSOP 2024 Event #16: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed
India’s first online WSOP bracelet winner Kartik Ved came close to winning his second WSOP gold bracelet and the first one for India at this year’s WSOP in Event #16: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed. It was a four-day event held between the 4th to the 7th of June 2024.
The $5,000 buy-in event saw as many as 660 entries eyeing the top spot. The 660 entries helped generate an impressive prize pool of $3,036,000. The massive prize pool was shared amongst the top 124 players who survived the four days of unparalleled action.
India’s Kartik Ved put up a noteworthy fight throughout the four days of the tournament and even made his way to the final table. He even put up a tough fight on the final table before succumbing to the fourth spot. Kartik Ved cashed a huge paycheque of $220,373 for his fourth-place finish on the final table.
The subsequent runner-up Eddie Ochana opened from the cutoff position to 800,000. The action folded to Kartik Ved, who was seated in the big blind. He chose to raise all-in with his remaining stack of 2,425,000. Eddie Ochana made the call and the cards were flipped.
Kartik Ved showed A♣ 9♦, while the hefty stacked Eddie Ochana showed K♥ 5♦. The board fanned out 7♦ 5♣ 4♥ Q♠ J♥. The board gave Eddie Ochana a pair but refused to support Kartik Ved who was left with an ace-high hand. Thus Kartik was eliminated in the 4th place at this event.
Katik Ved also made waves in the WSOP 2024 Online Event #4: NL Hold’em Deepstack. The WSOP bracelet winner finished 7th, pocketing $19,184 and marking his second final table finish of the series.
Doddanavar & Shah Score Final Table Finishes in WSOP 2024 Event #44: $2,000 NLHE
Event #44: $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em saw two Indians make it to the final table, however, both of them bowed out of the tournament one after the other, being so close to the title. The event was a three-day event that witnessed some fierce action between the 17th to 19th June 2024.
The event had a total of 1,561 entries who registered for the event. The massive entry field contributed to form a total prize pool of $2,778,580. This was shared among the top 235 players at the event.
The first Indian player to exit the final table was Kavin Shah, who took seventh place on the 10-handed final table.
Spain’s Javier Gomez opened to 400,000 after which the action folded around the table before reaching Kavin Shah. Seated in the big blind position, Kavin moved all in. In response Javier Gomes snap-called, leaving Kavin Shah disappointed as he exclaimed. “Sh*t!”
He realised the risk he had taken and flipped his A♦ 7♦ hole cards. Javier Gomez showed A♣ K♠. Clearly, Shah needed a lot of help from the board to survive. The board brought K♥ 5♠ 9♣ Q ♥ 2♠, and the turn card had ended Kavin Shah’s run at the event sending him out in seventh place with an addition of $60,317 to his kitty.
Yasheel Doddanavar
Soon after Kavin Shah, countryman Yasheel Doddanavar followed within a few minutes. Yasheel Doddanavar raised to 200,000 from the middle position and Yunkyu Song three-bet to 700,000 comfortably from the cutoff. Yasheel Doddanavar called.
The flop brought 8♦ 5♠ J♥, and Yasheel Doddanavar checked. To this Yunkyu Song bet out 500,000 followed by Yasheel Doddanavar check-raising and moving all in with his remaining 4,100,000 stack.
“So sick,” said Song as he made the call. He got out of his chair and asked the Indian player if he had aces. Yasheel Doddanavar flipped J♣ 10♣. While Yunkyu Song had K♣ K♥ to show. Song seemed to be surprised to see that he was ahead of Yasheel Doddanavar with his Cowboys.
After an unfruitful flop, the 9♠ brought some outs for Yasheel Doddanavar but the 5♦ on the river snatched it from Yasheel Doddanavar and handed over the pot to Yunkyu Song. Yasheel Doddanavar was sent packing in sixth spot with $79,676 for his efforts.
Santhosh Suvarna Makes History, Wins First WSOP Super High Roller Title For India
These final table finishes were followed by a historic and monumental victory on June 23 by Indian high roller Santhosh Suvarna. The 43-year-old businessman and a regular high-stakes poker pro overcame a star-studded field of 75 entries in the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #55: $250,000 Super High Roller to claim the lion’s share of the $18,675,000 prize pool. He defeated online poker legend Ben Tollerene in a thrilling heads-up to seize a career-best $5,415,152 and his second WSOP bracelet.
This marked India’s first WSOP Super High Roller victory and the biggest score by an Indian in the live poker tournament space. Finally, Suvarna clashed it against Tollerene in the heads-up. The latter moved all-in with Qd 4c. Santhosh Suvarna, in the big blind, made the call with 10h 7c. Tollerene was ahead but the board ran out Js Ah 5h As 10s, giving Suvarna the coveted pot and the bracelet.
Santhosh Suvarna Continues To Impress With 5th Place In $50K High Roller PLO
Indian businessman Santhosh continues his impressive run at the 2024 World Series of Poker! On Day 38 of the series, he made waves in Event #79: $50,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller. Chasing for his second WSOP 2024 bracelet, Suvarna started the final day of the event with the shortest stack among the final five players. Despite his valiant efforts, he fell just a few places shy of his second bracelet, exiting in 5th place for $503,085 – his fourth cash and second highest score at the WSOP 2024. The Indian high-stakes pro shoved with aces on the jack-high flop, but ran into the set of the eventual champion Perkusic and got no help on the turn and river to hit the rail in fifth place.
These notable results of Sathosh Suvarna (Two Final Tables), Kartik Ved (Two Final Tables), Kavin Shah and Yasheel Doddanavar show years of dedication and hard work. With their passion and determination, they paved the way for future generations of Indian poker enthusiasts. While the poker scene in India is evolving, the success of Indian players at WSOP 2024 stands as an inspiration and a testament to their standing in the global poker fraternity.
Keep following PokerProNews for the latest updates on Team India’s performance at the WSOP 2024!
