Poker journey In India

Interest levels in the game of poker in India started picking up after poker was broadcast on Indian televisions. It was in the latter half of 2004 that Indian audiences were first exposed to the World Poker Tour courtesy of Discovery’s Travel & Living channel. Another factor which increased player numbers can be attributed to returning Indians who brought back the game with them after a study/job stint abroad. Though such players got the game back to India way back in the early 90s, it was only after friendly games could be played by people online (mainly facebook) that the masses started to learn the game from 2008 onwards. The internet is proving to be an effective catalyst in bringing together poker enthusiasts locally as well as from all over the country.

The only major international tournament which was held in India was the Asia Poker Classic held in 2007.

The popularity of the game is still fairly scattered at the moment due to the legalities in question, despite the fact that there are plenty of underground poker games which are taking place all across the country. While there are many poker groups in various metros that organize tournaments and cash, even the smaller towns have shown marked interest levels in the games. Besides home games and tourneys organized by poker groups, the only place right now one can experience poker action is at the casinos in Goa. While land-based casino gaming is strictly electronic, there are ‘floating’ casinos which are moored on the Mandovi river which provide the live gaming experience to players. These casinos somewhat mirror the riverboat style of casinos prevalent in Mississippi and other places in the United States. Poker was first offered on one of these floating casinos in mid-2009. Slowly but surely it has begun to grow with more and more players coming from within and outside the state to get their kick out of this game.

We would soon get you an interview of the key people involved at the 2 said floating casinos of Goa who were the pioneers to get the game on their live tables.

Few Tournaments have also started to be held at these casinos of Goa, which is adding to the popularity of the skill based game.

The game’s popularity in India is growing day by. Texas Hold ’em as a game appeals to the Indian gambler as well as the savvy Indian card player who knows there is much more skill to this game than what is presumed. After conquering the Americas and Europe and more recently Asia (till now in Macau), poker is all set to take on the biggest destination – India because India has a huge population and also has traditionally been a country where people love to keep themselves entertained during evenings and weekends and holidays.