National Poker Series (NPS), India’s premier poker series hosted by PokerBaazi, was a historic spectacle witnessing relentless action, massive prize pools and record-breaking participation. The INR 100 Crore GTD series set a new benchmark, drawing more than 6,00,000 in total entries and distributing over INR 108 Crores in total prize money. Over 4000 entrants won prizes and 573 medals were awarded to the podium finishers, making it the most competitive event to date. The series wrapped up in style with ‘Night of Glory’ where the acclaimed cricketer Shikhar Dhawan graced the momentous occasion and felicitated the NPS winners.
National Poker Series (NPS) India 2025 Highlights
Shikhar Dhawan, a left-handed opening batter known for his aggressive batting and champion mindset, highlighted similarities between cricket and poker, celebrating skill, strategy and resilience required in the game. Poker was recognized as a mind sport by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) last year, and Shikhar’s presence at Night of Glory further cemented poker’s status as a mind sport. Events like National Poker Series India have played a key role, celebrating the finest in poker and paving the way for poker to grow with global competitions, professional opportunities and massive prizes along the way, thus signaling the transformative era for the game as a mind sport.
After over four weeks of intense competition, Bhanu Prakash KC from Karnataka etched his name in history as the winner of both the NPS India Leaderboard and Series Leaderboard, thus earning his spot among the nation’s top Poker talents. Delhi’s Bhavye Mittal emerged as the biggest winner of the series, clinching the Main Event victory and winning him a gold medal and a whopping INR 94.26 lakh. Gujarat’s Dhruvin Kothari and Maharashtra’s Pratik Manjrekar walked away with silver (INR 82.11 lakh) and bronze (INR 60.64 lakh) for their podium finishes, respectively.
National Poker Series 2025 Now Moves To Goa For Offline Event
The National Poker Series India ran for 29 days from 23rd February to 24th March, 2025 on PokerBaazi.com. The action now moves to a Goa offline event – National Poker Champion Showdown. The first-ever NPC event will see state-wise medal toppers from the NPS 2025 to battle it out, who will be representing their respective states in Goa this month. Adding to the delight, the ultimate winner of the National Poker Champion Showdown will also unlock an exclusive ₹1 Crore freeroll for players from his state, raising the bar for future editions. The National Poker Champion Showdown will run from 13th to 17th April and will be broadcasted on a popular OTT.
Talking about the NPS 2025 success, Navkiran Singh, Founder & CEO Baazi Games, said, “National Poker Series India 2025 has set new benchmarks, showcasing the depth of talent and competitive spirit in Indian Poker. With the introduction of the National Poker Champion Showdown, this edition has been truly historic. The Night of Glory was a grand tribute to our winners, inspiring countless aspiring players across the country. As Poker continues to gain recognition as a mind sport, we remain committed to fostering a thriving community and taking Indian Poker to new heights.”
The Night of Glory was a memorable event, witnessing electrifying performances by renowned stand-up comedian Gaurav Kapoor, Jazz-Rock band Submarine in Space and DJ Sukhbir adding to the grandeur of the occasion. National Poker Series India 2025 has once again solidified its status as India’s biggest and most premier Poker series, creating a big platform for poker enthusiasts to showcase their talent, and win life-changing cash prizes. The series is paving the way for poker as a mind sport for the new generation of poker enthusiasts in the country.
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