Poker Introduction
Before we review Pokerbaazi let’s understand the online poker market. A recent study by Mordor Intelligence revealed that the gaming market in India reached USD 2.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow by USD 8.6 billion by 2028. Among the gaming landscape in India, real-money online games account for around 83-84% of the total revenue. Real money online games are games where players deposit money with the expectation of winning. This includes games like online poker. Some reports put the number of online poker players in India at 30 lakh.
In this article, we will look at what poker is, how it is played online, the skill and chance element of poker, and how much top poker players make. We will also review PokerBaazi, one of the prominent online poker-playing platforms in India. We will look at what PokerBaazi is, the team behind it, and how it works
What is Poker?
Poker is a popular strategic card game that is played in casinos all over the world. It is one of the most famous card games out there and is played online by over 100 million people worldwide! Poker is believed to have originated in the late 18th century and has roots that may go back as far as 1,000 years.
The game of poker can be best described as a bunch of card games that combine elements of chance and skill. There are different types of poker played worldwide with a unique set of rules and gameplay dynamics. From classic Texas Hold’em and Omaha to lesser-known types of Poker games like Seven-Card Stud and Razz, these poker variations offer players a wide range of strategic challenges and thrilling experiences.
How does Online Poker Work?
Even though traditionally, poker is played on casino tables, its online variations have become the talk of the town. Online poker offers numerous advantages over traditional live poker.
- Unparalleled convenience, allowing players to enjoy the game from the comfort of their homes at any time.
- Vast selection of games, stakes, and tournaments, catering to diverse player preferences.
- Valuable learning resources like tutorials and hand histories aid players in skill development.
- One can play for as little or as much as one likes, and it’s more fast-paced than in-person poker games.
Online poker mirrors the traditional game but in a virtual setup. Players create accounts on online poker platforms and use virtual chips representing real money. The game involves betting rounds where players can bet, call (match the bet), raise (increase the bet), or fold (concede the hand). The objective remains the same: to win the pot by having the best hand or by convincing opponents to fold.
Game of Skill vs Game of Chance
As we have mentioned above, poker combines both the elements of chance and skill. In the short run, luck has more impact but in the long run, results depend on the skill of the player! In India, like many other jurisdictions, courts have time and again recognized online poker as a game of skill and not a game of chance or gambling. Players are required to make numerous skill-based strategic decisions throughout the game, such as when to bet, raise, call, or fold based on their hand strength, opponents’ actions, and the pot odds.
Legality of Poker in India
Poker is legal in India, and the Supreme Court has recognized it to be a game of skill. However, states have the authority to regulate online games, and accordingly, the states of Assam, Telangana, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Andhra Pradesh have restricted residents from playing online poker. Other than these states, citizens of India are free to play live and online poker games or tournaments for money.
How much do Top Poker Players Make?
Being a real money game, online poker players have a chance of winning and making a substantial amount of real money from the game. While not every player earns big by playing poker, the top players around the world make millions! Bryn Kenney, an American professional poker player, sits atop the all-time money list with over $75 million in live earnings from tournaments.
In India, the top poker players have won millions of dollars. Aditya Agarwal, one of the pioneers of poker in India, has won a lifetime of USD 4 million. Nipun Java, one of the top players in India, is reported to have online earnings of over USD 1.9 million.
Below is a documentary on a famous Poker Player who made more than 1 Million USD in a tournament.
How to Learn Poker?
You can learn poker online by watching instructional videos, playing free games, reading books and articles, joining online forums, and eventually playing for real money. Remember, poker is a game of skill and probability. Factors like card rankings, the number of players, betting patterns, table position, and opponent styles influence the outcome of each hand. By understanding these factors and making strategic decisions – such as choosing which hands to play, adjusting bet sizes, and knowing when to fold – you can significantly increase your chances of winning over the long term.
What is PokerBaazi?
While shark tank has made PokerBaazi a household name, the platform was always the go-to place for seasoned poker players!
PokerBaazi is one of the most popular online poker platforms in India, and it has over 45 lakh players on the platform. With a track record of over 10 years, PokerBaazi claims to have over INR 12 crores in leaderboard winnings and a whopping INR 55 crores plus in tournament winnings. PokerBaazi offers different variations of poker online, including the following prominent ones:
- Texas Hold’em Poker
- Omaha Poker variations like Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi/Lo, and 5-Card Omaha
- Open Face Chinese Poker (OFC Poker)
- Stud Poker variations like Five-Card Stud and Seven-Card Stud
- Draw Poker variations like Five-Card Draw and Triple Draw Lowball
- Horse Poker
- Razz Poker
- Short Deck Poker
- Badugi
- Super Hold’em
- All-In or Fold
PokerBaazi is operated by Baazi Games. In September 2024, Nazara Technologies announced an INR 832 crore investment in Moonshine Technology, the parent company of PokerBaazi. With this, Nazara Technologies now owns a 47.7% stake in PokerBaazi.
Team Behind PokerBaazi
Founder and CEO Navkiran Singh founded Baazi Games in 2014, fueled by his deep love for sports. Since then, Baazi Games has become a pioneer in the Real Money Gaming industry in India, offering skill-based games like Poker (PokerBaazi), Rummy (RummyBaazi), and Fantasy sports (BalleBaazi). Navkiran holds an engineering degree from Manipal Institute of Technology and started his career as a System Engineer with the Tata Consultancy Sevices. Navkiran is aided by his co-founders Puneet Singh, Anirudh Chaudhry, Avneet Rana, and Varun Ganjoo.
How PokerBaazi Works?
To play poker online on PokerBaazi, you need to download the file using the link provided below and install the app.
Please note if you directly go to Play Store and download app available there, you won’t be able to play the poker using real money as on the store, only a mock poker app is available.
Once you have downloaded the file, you can install the PokerBaazi app and sign into your account. If you wish to play for free, you can directly head to the lobby, tap on the “freerolls” tab, select the game you wish to play, and start playing! To earn money by playing poker, you can start with free entry tournaments and select a game format you prefer. Once you have selected a format, you can register to a table of your choice and start playing.
The platform holds some of the biggest online poker events in India, with 24×7 live tournaments going on around the year. Some of the key features of PokerBaazi are as follows:
- Responsible Gaming feature: It allows the player to take control of their gaming sessions and keep their behavior in check. For instance, using this feature, you can impose limitations on the deposit and withdrawal of cash.
- Safety and Security: PokerBaazi has All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) security certifications and provides secured encryption for account and payment details.
Baazi FairPlay
PokerBaazi provides a safe, secure, fair, and transparent gaming experience. The Baazi FairPlay feature ensures that no bots or humans can compromise the game ethics, and if any attempt is detected, the gamer is banned from the platform.
Pokerbaazi School
Helps new players learn and understand the poker fundamentals.
PokerBaazi offers different avenues to play online poker, including the following:
- Free Entry Tournaments
- Practice Games
- Cash Games
- Sit & Go
- Turbo Tournaments
While free poker games are available for beginners to try out poker, cash games are also available for stakes as low as Re 1, where players have access and the opportunity to try their hands at real money games for little cost.
Poker vs Trading
Poker and trading share many similarities, as both involve risk management, probability, psychology, and strategy. Here’s a breakdown of their key commonalities:
1. Probability & Expected Value (EV)
- Poker: Players make decisions based on pot odds, implied odds, and expected value (EV) of different hands.
- Trading: Traders analyze expected return, risk-reward ratios, and probability-weighted outcomes in strategies like options trading or portfolio management.
2. Risk Management
- Poker: Bankroll management ensures players don’t go broke despite variance (e.g., never risking more than a certain percentage on a single hand).
- Trading: Position sizing and stop-loss mechanisms help traders manage capital and avoid catastrophic losses.
3. Psychology & Emotional Control
- Poker: Avoiding “tilt” (emotional decision-making after losses) is key to long-term success.
- Trading: Avoiding revenge trading or FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is crucial for maintaining discipline.
4. Edge & Skill Over Luck
- Poker: Winning players exploit statistical advantages and weak opponents over the long run.
- Trading: Profitable traders develop an edge through data analysis, strategy refinement, and risk-adjusted returns.
5. Bluffing vs. Market Manipulation
- Poker: Bluffing forces opponents into mistakes.
- Trading: Market participants use tactics like spoofing (illegal) or misleading narratives to influence price movements.
6. Positioning & Meta-Game
- Poker: Adjusting play style based on table dynamics, opponents’ tendencies, and game flow.
- Trading: Adjusting strategies based on market conditions, sentiment, and macroeconomic trends.
7. Adaptability
- Poker: Players adjust their strategy dynamically based on hand history and changing table conditions.
- Trading: Traders shift between different strategies like momentum, mean reversion, or hedging based on volatility and market structure.
8. Variance & Long-Term Thinking
- Poker: Even with the best strategy, short-term luck plays a role, but skill dominates in the long run.
- Trading: Even with an edge, short-term drawdowns happen, but long-term profitability is determined by strategy robustness.
Conclusion on Pokerbaazi
Playing poker online requires skills that one can develop over time with practice. While there are multiple online poker platforms available in India, PokerBaazi is one of the most prominent ones and has a proven track record of over 10 years. The recent acquisition of a 47.7% stake in Moonshine Technology, the parent company of PokerBaazi by Nazara Technologies, for INR 832 crores is a testament to the platform’s reach. PokerBaazi uses several in-house mechanisms to prevent collusion or any malpractice during the gameplay. This ensures fair play and transparency. The platform offers a wide range of playing options, and users can play free and case games. The platform hosts major tournaments around the year, with prize pools going as high as crores of rupees.
