2024 was a big year for the Indian poker space. This year, Indian poker players made some remarkable strides on the global stage, displaying their talent and determination in prestigious live tournaments across the world. However, this year especially stood out, thanks to the unprecedented achievements of Indian players with record-breaking cashes which cemented India’s reputation as a rising force on the international stage. It also helped further establish the country on the world poker map, sending out a message to the world.
Be it high-stakes international events to marquee tournaments at prestigious poker series like the World Series of Poker and others, the exceptional performances by Indian players highlight the strategic prowess and resilience of Indian players. Their deep runs and massive winnings have not only inspired the domestic poker community but also grabbed eyeballs globally to India’s burgeoning poker scene.
Here’s a look at the five biggest live poker cashes by Indian players in 2024.
Santosh Suvarna
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that 2024 has been Santhosh Suvarna’s year. The entrepreneur and poker player made history at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2024. He became the first Indian ever to take down the prestigious Super High Roller event in the history of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) at this year’s edition. With that, he also became the first and only Indian player to have two WSOP gold bracelets in consecutive years to his name.
In the process, he also recorded the biggest cash in a poker tournament by any Indian. Suvarna took down the $250,000 No Limit Hold’em – Super High Roller (Bracelet Event #55) on 21st June 2024 for a mammoth paycheque of $5,415,152. But that’s not the only big cash he had this year.
Prior to the WSOP, he had clinched the €25,000 No Limit Hold’em (Event #41) at the European Poker Tour – EPT Paris in February this year and pocketed $377,669 in the process. In March, he registered another big cash at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Jeju. Santhosh took the 15th place at the $150,000 + 9,000 No Limit Hold’em – 8-Handed (Event #9) for a huge $267,750 paycheque.
Later, in May, Santhosh pocketed another impressive $235,000 for his 21st place finish at the $125,000 + 7,500 No Limit Hold’em – Triton Main Event (Event #9) of the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro in Budva.
After his historic WSOP win, Santhosh finished 5th at the WSOP PKRGO $50,000 Pot Limit Omaha – High Roller (Bracelet Event #79) in July 2024 for a handsome $503,085. Later he took 5th place once again at the €97,020 + 2,980 No Limit Hold’em – EPT Super High Roller (Event #22) of European Poker Tour – EPT Barcelona, Barcelona in August and added another big cash of $ 396,254 to his poker resume.
Kartik Ved
India’s first online WSOP bracelet winner Kartik Ved continued his consistent form this year. He registered one of the biggest cashes in the live poker scene among the Indian contingent for his final table finish at the 55th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2024. He finished fourth at the $ 5,000 No Limit Hold’em – 8-Handed (Bracelet Event #16) and walked away with a handsome addition of $220,373 to his bankroll. Kartik Ved also scored a final table finish in the WSOP 2024 Online Event #4: NL Hold’em Deepstack. This talented poker pro finished 7th, pocketing $19,184 and marking his second final table finish of the series.
Nishant Sharma
Nishant Sharma also had a big cash this year in November. He took down the RM 2,160 + 240 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event at Poker Dream 13 – Malaysia held in Kuala Lumpur and pocketed an impressive $208,326 for his third consecutive Poker Dream main event victory. Apart from being one of the biggest live cash by an Indian this year, it was also one of the few cashes above $200,000 in 2024. Sharma also scored two more victories at Poker Dream 13, racking in over MR 1.285 Billion (INR 2.43 Crores.) from his five cashes in the series.
Aditya Agarwal
India’s poker veteran Aditya Agarwal also had a great 2024. The year has to be one of the most special ones for him professionally, thanks to his first-ever WSOP win. After years of grinding, Aditya claimed his first-ever WSOP gold bracelet by taking down the $ 1,000 No Limit Hold’em – Freezeout (Bracelet Event #82) at the 55th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2024. In the process he also pocketed one of the biggest cashes of 2024 in his $189,661 paycheque.
Zarvan Tumboli
Zarvan Tumboli has been on a roll in the past few years, and his chase for success continued this year. He pocketed one of the biggest cashes in live poker by an Indian this year at the Poker Dream 8 – Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur in January 2024. He shipped the prestigious RM 1,620 + 180 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event (Event #12) and took home a huge payday of $187,729.
Keep following PokerProNews for more such inspiring stories from the world of live poker. Follow us on our social media platforms –Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube for all the interesting stories and updates from the World of Poker!
