When you talk about Indian poker, it is very rare that Kunal Patni’s name does not come to your mind. A renowned poker pro, ambassador and the winner of multiple prestigious live and online titles, he is one of the finest players and ambassadors India has ever produced. Whether transitioning from banking to poker, donning the roles of an ambassador, or venturing into the business side of poker with the launch of Natural8 India, Kunal’s journey in the poker realm has been truly inspirational.
Hailing from Mumbai, Kunal Patni, an MBA graduate from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, has emerged a key figure in the poker industry. Following his win at the Asian Championship of Poker series in Macau in 2014, Kunal transitioned from a thriving banking career to pursue poker professionally. Since then, there has been a continuous upward trajectory for Kunal Patni as he has not only worked as a brand ambassador for poker but also won several prestigious live and online titles, establishing himself as a formidable force in both online and live poker.
Currently holding the 9th position on India’s all-time poker list, Kunal boasts an impressive live track record with his total tournament earnings of over $944,916. His notable victories include titles from prominent events such as APPT, APT, DPT, Poker Dream Vietnam, and WPT. Notably, his most significant live score occurred at the 2018 WPT European Championship in Berlin, where he placed second for a prize money of $115,819. On the online front, Kunal’s extensive resume showcases over 96 titles and winnings exceeding INR 10 cores, with his biggest online MTT score being INR 14,05,433.
In September of the last year, Kunal made waves by assuming the role of Director and Ambassador for Natural8 India, steering the site’s entry into the Indian poker landscape. Under his leadership, Natural8 India has made big strides, establishing itself as a trailblazer in India’s poker landscape. Recently, the poker platform was in the news for hosting the APT Taipei India Exclusive tournament, which will be sending six Indians for a Live Final Table showdown at the upcoming APT Taipei 2024!
Our Exclusive Interview With Kunal Patni
A few days back, we had the privilege of conducting an insightful interview with Kunal Patni. During this engaging conversation, he generously shared some exciting details about his remarkable journey in the poker realm. He delved into the intriguing backstory of his involvement with Natural8 India and also shed light on what led him to collaborate with the Asia Poker Tour (APT) for hosting the APT Taipei India Exclusive tournament and offering APT packages to Indian players.
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Furthermore, Kunal provided valuable insights into his expectations for Indian players participating in the upcoming APT Taipei, offering a glimpse into the dynamic and competitive world of professional poker. Finally, he shared his perspectives on key trends in the Indian poker industry and other pertinent topics. For an in-depth understanding of Kunal’s thoughts and experiences, we invite you to watch our full interview below.
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