Today, India has more than a half dozen of World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelets, making a massive shift from a time around seven years ago when it had none. At that time, the Indian poker landscape was fast emerging with a considerable number of Indian pros participating, but a bracelet was still a dream.
However, that changed on June 5th, 2017, when Indian pros Nipun Java and Aditya Sushant turned the bracelet dream into reality. Java, who resides in the US, rightly remarked,“It’s kind of surprising we didn’t have a bracelet already with the size of the population.”
The bracelet win for India came in Event 10: $1,000 Tag Team at the 2017 WSOP. When this event was just about to begin, Java’s pre-arranged teammate dropped out at the last minute because he couldn’t wake up on time for the event.
Sushant’s mentor and ace Indian poker pro Aditya Agarwal brought both Java and Sushant together for a last minute collaboration, and what followed was a history. The duo that came together went on to take down the $1,000 Tag Team Event for $150,637 and the first-ever WSOP bracelet for themselves and their country.
The event had a total of 843 players competing for the prize pool of $758,700, and the coveted bracelet, of course. The top 127 places among these made it in the money. Day 1 of the event saw the money bubble burst and the day ended with 94 teams. These 94 teams then marched their way into Day 2 when the action resumed.
Day 2 ended when the final table with the top 9 teams was set. The 9-handed final table began on the final day with Team DJ MacKinnon and Esther Taylor leading the pack with the heaviest bag of 908,000 chips at their disposal.
The Indian duo entered the final day with the fourth-highest stack of 565,000. However, when the final table began they began dominating and stopped only after claiming victory. The heads-up began with Team Aditya Sushant – Nipun Java holding a massive lead with 3,270,000 chips against Team Pablo Mariz – David Guay who had 945,000 chips.
In just the second level of heads-up, Sushant closed out the tournament in style. The final hand had Sushant open to 125,000 while Pablo Mariz announced all-in holding Ks Qd. Sushant made the call and flipped his As 8h. The flop showed Qs Qc 3c and Mariz flopped a three-of-a-kind.
The dealer opened the turn to an Ac, as Sushant’s rail yelled “Ace!”. The poker gods smiled at Sushant as the dealer flipped Ad on the river. Celebration erupted as India won its first WSOP bracelet!
To observe the momentous occasion, the WSOP organizers even played the Indian national anthem at the venue the next day. Interestingly, it was the first time ever that the anthem was played in Rio, Las Vegas and the moment will never be forgotten.
Talking about the win Java said, “It was definitely an emotional moment I’m really, really happy, especially for all the people who travel. I live in the United States but people who travel here… Well, everyone needs some sort of inspiration to keep coming back. This game wears you down. The bracelet came at the right time. Poker is booming in India.”
Although poker may not be widespread and as popular in the country today, it isn’t far till Indians actually start viewing the game of skill as a real sport. And when that happens, Nipun Java and Aditya Sushant will be remembered with the same respect and reverence with which we Indians remember Kapil Dev for winning the first World Cup for India in 1983.
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