PokerBaazi witnessed 33% spike in female poker players during NPS India 2023: Co-founder Varun Ganjoo

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The National Poker Series India 2023, organised by PokerBaazi, proved to be a smash hit as the tournament received record entries. The tournament, which saw the top three poker talents win a ticket to Las Vegas and 324 medals distributed across 107 tournaments, shattered the records set during NPS India 2022.

NPS India 2023 further increased the penetration of poker into Indian tier-2 and tier-3 cities and the organisers also witnessed a surge in the participation of women players, which further highlights the inclusivity of the sport.

While interacting with MyKhel over the immense success of NPS India 2023, Varun Ganjoo, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Baazi Games, claimed they have witnessed 25 per cent hike in overall participants from the previous edition and a 33% spike in female players.

Mr Ganjoo also expressed his elation over the reach of poker in the Indian hinterlands during the NPS India 2023 and is determined to take this RMG (real money gaming) sport to even deeper pockets in the country as there is no dearth of talented poker players.

Mr Ganjoo claimed, in the coming PookerBaazi aims at capturing the essence of the tournament while creating unique and impactful messaging that resonates with their audience. Here are the excerpts:

Q: Can you briefly explain what is National Poker Series India 2023 and what was the impact of the National Poker Series India 2023? _ Changed Question

Ans: Launched in 2021, National Poker Series India is one of the prominent poker series which aims to promote poker as a household sport, instilling a sense of glory amongst both amateurs and professionals indulging in the game. Held annually, the poker tournament series is hosted on PokerBaazi.

The 2023 edition shattered previous records; we received 1.25 Lakh entries recording a 25% increase from last year's 96,000 entries. Notably, there was also a 33% surge in female participants, highlighting the growing inclusivity of the sport.

I firmly believe that platforms such as National Poker Series India is playing a pivotal role in spreading awareness among the masses about how poker is a mind sport. The recognition in the community coupled with rewards is also encouraging more and more players to participate in the tournament and pursue poker as a sport.

Q: How did you come up with the idea of the "glory" theme #AbIndiaKhelegaGloryKeLiye for the National Poker Series India 2023?

Ans: From its first edition back in 2021, the National Poker Series India has always focused on making Poker a mainstream sport with skill playing an upper hand. As the leading poker platform in the country, we took it upon ourselves to introduce Indian poker enthusiasts to a world-class poker series.

It not only gives them an organised platform to compete against professional players but also instils a sense of "Glory & Pride" that winning brings. The 2023 edition of National Poker Series India has seen a 360° campaign to drive awareness and increase participation across various markets.

We believe that poker players are no different from athletes and sportsmen who strive to be recognised as the best in their respective fields. '#AbIndiaKhelegaGloryKeLiye' campaign is designed to inspire and motivate players in their endeavour for the same and establish poker as a sport that demands the highest levels of skill and strategy.

3. What were your expectations from the National Poker Series India 2023? What was the response you got?

Ans: When announcing the third edition of the National Poker Series India, we envisioned extending a platform that ensures a safe, inclusive and reliable gaming experience that will also lead to increased participation and recognition from the Indian Poker community.

But with the wrap-up of this edition, we are beyond humbled to witness the engagement and the kind of love and support we have received from participants across the country. The series saw participation from people across geographies.

We also noticed a significant increase in participation from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. These trends are a testament to the fact that poker is gradually getting its due recognition and we are certain that the impact will only grow by multi-folds going forward.

Q: How will the National Poker Series India help in the growth of poker players in India and the poker ecosystem at large?

Ans: The primary vision behind the launch of the National Poker Series India is to elevate poker to a mainstream sport and establish it as the premier platform for Indian poker players to showcase their skills at the national level.

Further, we believe that the National Poker Series India can provide an ideal stage to recognise both the players and the sport. The increasing number of entries we have received from tier 2 cities like Jabalpur, Ranchi, and Agra demonstrates the growing interest in the game.

It also indicates the tournament's significance in providing a serious battleground for players aspiring to become professional poker players. The National Poker Series India is rapidly becoming a go-to event for players seeking to enhance their skills on their journey to professional poker.

Q: What were your expectations from the National Poker Series India 2023? What kind of response you have seen so far?

Ans: There is an incredibly welcoming response from the Indian poker community. We have seen a significant increase in tournament registrations, with winners hailing from tier 2 and 3 cities and towns, demonstrating just how deep-rooted and popular poker is in India's hinterlands.

Throughout the National Poker Series 2023, a total of 324 medals were awarded across 107 tournaments, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of the event. While participants came from all corners of the country, players from Delhi dominated the rankings, securing the highest number of medals with a total of 55.

Maharashtra followed closely in second place, earning 51 medals. Uttar Pradesh acquired the third position with 45 medals, while Haryana secured the fourth position with 32 medals. These results stand as a testament to the growing prominence of poker in various regions of India.

Q: What are your thoughts on the gradual growth of Poker as a professional game in India? Any interesting insights to share on this?

Ans: We have witnessed a surge in gamers from all genders and demographics, which is a testament to the growing popularity of the sport and its ability to entice more people to take up poker as a profession. Well-known personalities, including late Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, Olympic gold-medalist Michael Phelps, and numerous NBA players, have participated in global poker tournaments.

Moreover, there has been an increase in female players in the online gaming segment. Reports suggest that many more women consider gaming a viable career option, and we believe this trend will also translate into the RMG (real-money gaming) segment, especially in poker. Poker's stalwart and PokerBaazi's Team Pro ambassador, Muskan Sethi, is leading the way for more women to compete competitively.

Q: What is your vision for the next edition of National Poker Series India? What is your marketing strategy for National Poker Series India 2024? What difference are you planning from previous editions?

Ans: With tournaments like the National Poker Series India, our endeavour is to reiterate that Poker is a coveted sport and needs similar competition formats like that of cricket or football. With the 2023 edition receiving an overwhelming response from the participants, we envision and are certain that the next edition will be even grander.

Not just limited to making the tournament bigger, we are also aligning our efforts towards increasing participation from women poker players and players from tier-3 and tier-4 cities of the country, to showcase their skills and compete at national and extend an opportunity to even participate at international platforms. This will only be feasible if we start working on the vision starting today.

The groundwork for marketing the National Poker Series' fourth edition is already in the works. We are in the process of developing a distinct campaign for the National Poker Series India 2024, aiming to capture the essence of the tournament while creating unique and impactful messaging that resonates with our target audience.