Abhishek Sonu: From Corporate to Poker stardom at the National Poker Series India 2024

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Abhishek Sonu secured the silver medal at the National Poker Series India 2024, hosted on PokerBaazi, marking his rise in one of the country's most prestigious poker tournaments. The event, which successfully hosted its third edition, is renowned for its lucrative prize pool and fierce competition, solidifying its status as India's biggest poker event.

In an insightful interview with myKhel, Abhishek Sonu, based in Bengaluru, shared his interesting journey into the world of poker, his progression in the sport, and the crucial role of education in achieving success as a poker player.

A Serendipitous Introduction to Poker

Abhishek's venture into poker began while he was working in the corporate sector in Ahmedabad. "One day, I saw Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar playing online poker. It was then I realized that the game was attracting big players. I downloaded an application to play online poker and that is how I started taking baby steps. A year later, I moved to Bangalore and the city's vibrant poker culture provided the boost I needed to start playing with real money," he recounted.

From Cricket Aspirations to Poker Triumphs

Originally from Patna, Bihar, Abhishek was enrolled in a cricket academy at the age of five, dreaming of playing cricket for India. For 15 years, he played professional cricket in Bengal at the Videocon School of Cricket, run by Sourav Ganguly's Academy. However, a family mishap in 2013 ended his cricket ambitions, leading him to pursue a stable career in the corporate sector.

"I got a job in sales and marketing and moved to Gujarat. Yet, I always felt the need to find something that could motivate me and offer the thrill of victory and defeat, similar to cricket," Abhishek explained.

A Full-Time Poker Career

For the past 3-4 years, Abhishek has dedicated himself to poker full-time. Starting with small stakes of Rs 40-50, he gradually moved to high-stakes tables. "The journey has been satisfying as I've built my career from scratch," he stated.

Poker: A Game of Skill and Luck

Abhishek addressed the common misconception that poker is merely a game of luck. "People often perceive poker as a game of luck, but luck is important in every aspect of life. Whether it's cracking a competitive exam or succeeding in business, luck plays a role. However, to be successful, you need to be at the right place, at the right time, with the right amount of effort. Poker is no different. With the right hard work and study, you can find yourself on the luckier side more often than not."

Balancing Passions

Despite his deep involvement in poker, Abhishek's love for cricket remains strong. He plays cricket every weekend, cherishing it as his first love. Receiving the silver medal from legendary Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh was a particularly proud moment for him, bringing his love for cricket full circle.

Acknowledging PokerBaazi's Impact

Abhishek praised PokerBaazi for its pivotal role in revolutionizing poker in India. He remarked, "PokerBaazi is to poker what BCCI is to cricket. Without this platform, the sport wouldn't have grown as it has. I am especially grateful for PokerBaazi's initiative to handle the 28% GST rule set by the government. Other platforms followed suit, but PokerBaazi has been a pioneer."

He also reflected on parental support, noting, "No parent is against the passion of their kids; they just don't want to see them poor or struggling. When they see their children achieve success, they back them."

Abhishek Sonu's journey from a corporate job to becoming a silver medalist at India's biggest poker event is a testament to his resilience, strategic thinking, and the growing prominence of poker in the country.