Poker is no longer a man’s game like the traditional perception suggests. Women are rapidly making their mark in the poker world like never before, bringing skill, strategic prowess, and fresh perspectives to the male-dominated game. As poker continues to flourish more and more worldwide, it envelopes players coming from diverse walks of life. Likewise, female players are proving their excellence in the live and online poker arena. Their consistency in achieving top places in high-stakes tournaments while challenging stereotypes along the way.
One such Indian female poker player is Simran Malhotra, who has quickly become one of the respected names in the Indian poker circuit. The player who made it big through the Poker Sports League today stands as a prominent female player in the poker scene. Simran is known for her sharp instincts, strategic mindset, and ability to thrive under pressure. Her journey continues to inspire other women to pursue poker and follow their passion in India and beyond.
Simran has made significant progress in live tournaments, with her consistent performance and unique approach. Beyond her playing skills, Malhotra’s influence extends to being an inspiration to the new generation of women in poker, while breaking stereotypes and challenging traditional norms.
Simran Malhotra’s journey in poker
Simran Malhotra, born and raised in India, combines her academic background in mathematics and economics with her passion for poker. Her rise to fame began after she earned a spot in India’s first franchise-based poker tournament, Poker Sports League in 2020. Simran secured a place in the Gujarat Falcons team through the online qualifiers held on the Hashtag app.
During an interview, Simran revealed how she was introduced to the game, mentioning that one of her cousins led her to the game. She added, “Then Proffz4 (her coach) told me about PSL being a national tournament where India’s best would participate. That’s when he coached me to be the player that I am today. I played poker for the first time in the February 2020 PSL on-ground qualifiers.”
Recalling her early poker days, the female player said, “It was an amazing revelation of the skills that I didn’t think existed in me. I ranked 2nd 🥈 in the second game I played (at the PSL qualifiers) and was extremely appreciated for the next three games.”
She continued her streak with consistent performances and eventually managed to rank #8 on the leaderboard. Further sharing her experience of starting out as an amateur player and later being selected as one of the team members of Gujarat Falcons for the PSL Season 5, she said, “I got to know about the Hashtag qualifiers & immediately started preparing for them with “Proffz4.” Making it through the online qualifiers has been a dream come true! Representing a team in a national level tournament feels so special.”
Inspiration and Aspiration
Simran shares that she is an ardent admirer of Maria Lampropulos. Talking of her aspirations, Simran believes that her goal is to gain more knowledge and practical experience by playing with her seasoned team members. She wishes to make a mark for herself in the poker community by consistently playing well and winning.
Her piece of advice for aspiring female players is pretty straightforward, “Poker is a great leveller. It’s not a gender sport. It is a very unbiased and friendly industry that gives a lot of support and motivation to new players. Play back and keep soaring high in the poker sky.” 🪂
Simran Malhotra Stats
Despite her Poker Sports League success, Simran Malhotra has just one live cash to her credit, which she scored in May this year, according to the Hendonmob. Simran finished at the runner-up spot at the 13,500 + 1,500 NLHE/PLO Mix-Turbo (Event #4) at the Deltin Poker Tournament (DPT) held in Panjim, Goa. Simran cashed a handsome $2,405 for her efforts.
Talking of her Online exploits, Simran’s largest online cash is ₹40,000 which she won for her 6th place finish at ATOC WOMENS DAY SPECIAL on Adda52 in 2021. With three online titles to boast to her name, Simran has grossed a Lifetime Total of ₹44,000 from her online poker efforts.
Simran’s gradual success showcases the increasing number of skilled female players in the Indian poker scene, once again emphasising that talent and strategy know no gender. With each tournament and game she plays, Simran Malhotra is supporting the cause of reshaping the traditional perception of poker, and further paving the way for more women to join the sport. Simran Malhotra’s journey stands as a testament that poker welcomes anyone who has the skill, confidence, and determination with open arms.
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