2016 GPI India POY: Raghav Bansal Leads GPI Top 10 Indian Players of the Year 2016

The skill game of poker is rising rapidly in India with numerous men and women joining in the game. This year has been booming, as many players have been able to climb up in the 2016 GPI India POY . While there were many who achieved big and created headlines this year, we have picked up only top 10 players, who include some big achievers like Raghav Bansal, Krishna Nagaraju, Taha Maruf, Shashank Jain, Dhaval Mudgal, Kunal Patni, Akash Malik, Aditya Agarwals, Tarun Ravi, and Amit Roshanlal Jain.

1.Raghav Bansal ($233,717)

He is a well-known poker pro form New Delhi in India with some big poker achievements under his belt. This year has been all good for him, as he was able to gain some top cashes across the various world famous tournaments. His biggest cash of the year came when he won the DPT Main Event back in January 2016, earning $ 45,214 the first place prize. His second biggest cash came when he finished 11^th in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em at Six Max 2016 World Series of Poker in January 2016 for $32,396. He created big waves when he finished 4^th in the HKD$4,000 No-Limit Hold’em $1 Million GTD at 2016 Asia Championship of Poker in October 2016, taking home $16,338 in the prize money. His best live cash till date remains $45,214, while his all time money list is estimated upto $233,717.

2. Krishna Nagaraju ($130,580)

Krishna Nagaraju is yet another big name from India. The Bangalore boy now living in the UK is widely known for his poker talent. His biggest cash this year came when he finished 3^rd in the £ 770 No-Limit Hold’em at 2016 UKIPT back in October, taking home $20,641 for his efforts. He also cashed out for $15,820 for his 5^th place finish in the $2,200 No-Limit Hold’em Eight Max at EPT Season XII / PCA. Again, he cashed for $14,500 in the £330 No-Limit Hold’em at 2016 UKIPT – London in April 2016. Krishna’s best cash till date remains $27,039, while his total earnings are estimated around $130,580.

3.Taha Maruf ($666,257)

The another Indian origin player who impressed and made to the top 10 of 2016 GPI India POY list was Taha Maruf. This year was a great time for him, as he managed to earn his career’s biggest cash  $300,031 when he finished 3^rd in the $3,500 No-Limit Hold’em $3 Million GTD at the 2016/2017 WPT Borgata Poker Open back in September 2016. His second best cash this year included $62,133 for his 6^th place finish in the $2,700 No-Limit Hold’em $1 Million GTD at 2016 Summer Poker Open. He also finished in the money at the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em at World Series of Poker back in July 2016. His best live cash still remains $300,031, while his all time money list goes upto a whopping $666,257.

4.Shashank Jain ($148,026)

Hailing from New Delhi in India, Shashank Jain has been grinding all through this year. His career’s biggest cash came when he finished 6^th for $43,567 in the $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em $1 Million GTD at the Deepstack Extravaganza III in June 2015. His biggest cash this year included $ 10,771 for his 45^th place finish in the $ 3,500 No Limit Hold’em at Deep Stack Extravaganza III, Las Vegas in June 2016. He also cashed out in the WSOP $ 1,500 No Limit Hold’em (Event #56) in Las Vegas, finishing 47^th for $ 7,209 in July. While his biggest cash till date is $43,567, his total live earnings amount to $148,026.

5.Dhaval Mudgal ($188,076)

The poker pro from India’s capital Delhi has earned a big name for himself in poker circuit. This year has been good for him, making it possible for him to climb up the 2016 GPI India POY list. Currently sitting on 5^th position, Dhaval’s biggest live cash came in 2015 when he finished 4^th in the HK$ 20,000 No Limit Hold’em (Event #13) at the Macau Poker Cup 23 – APPT, earning $ 43,245 for his efforts. This year his biggest cash included $ 19,593 for his 3^rd place finish in the main event of India’s biggest poker tournament DPT (Deltin Poker Tournament) back in January 2016. His most recent cash included $ 7,308 for his runner-up finish in the ₱ 13,200 + 1,800 No Limit Hold’em 6-Max at Manila Megastack 6 in December 2016. He finished 23^rd in the HK$ 18,000 + 2,000 No Limit Hold’em at APPT 10, Macau in September 2016, earning $ 5,248. His total live earnings till date amount to $188,076.

6.Kunal Patni ($159,334)

Sitting on the 6^th position in GPI POY 2016 is the Adda52 Pro Kunal Patni from Mumbai. His biggest cash this year was $ 5,032, which he earned for his 13^th place finish in the $ 520 + 80 No Limit Hold’em (Event #83) at 2016 Goliath Phamous Poker Series, Las Vegas. His most recent cash includes $ 4,275 for his 4^th place finish in the No Limit Hold’em – High Stake Turbo at 2016 WPT National – China. He also had a final table finish in the $ 500 + 50 No Limit Hold’em – Monster Stack at 2016 Asian Poker Tour (APT), Manila. He also cashed out in several other big money events, which helped him to climb up the GPI POY 2016 l. His best live cash is $22,714, while his total earnings are around $159,334. 

7. Akash Malik ($200,339)

Another famous Indian origin poker player sitting on 7^th place is Akash Malik. He has an impressive resume with around $200,339 in total live earnings. His best live cash is $55,451. His biggest cash this year includes $27,882 for his runner-up position in the main event at the 2016 Deltin Poker Tournament, Goa. He finished 30^th for $ 10,676 in the WSOP $ 2,500 No Limit Hold’em (Event #25) in Las Vegas, back in June 2016. His most recent cash amounts to $ 1,294 for his 53^rd place finish in the WSOP $ 1,000 No Limit Hold’em Tag Team at the 47th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2016, Las Vegas.

8. Aditya Agarwal ($649,684)

Belonging to the Salt Lake City Kolkata in the Indian State West Bengal, Aditya also had very impressive performances this year. Recently, he cashed out in the WSOP $ 10,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event Championship at 47th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2016, Las Vegas, earning this year’s biggest cash $ 18,714. His second biggest cash came when he finished 6^th in the main event of India Poker Championship, Goa in February 2016. This year gave him several in money finishes, helping him to climb up the 2016 GPI India POY. His total earnings are $649,684, while his best cash is $96,445.

9.Tarun Ravi ($94,907)

India’s Tarun Ravi now living in the United States sits on 9^th position in 2016 GPI India POY race with his total $94,907 in live earnings. His best cash till date amounts to $15,600. This year has been pretty good for him with several in money finishes at various big money tournaments. Recently, he finished 7^th in the $ 300 + 50 No Limit Hold’em – Survivor (Event #13) at WSOP Circuit -Los Angeles, taking home $ 3,000. His biggest cash this year included $ 5,000 when he finished 11^th in the $ 565 No Limit Hold’em Survivor (Event #26) at 2016 WPT -Legends Of Poker, Los Angeles, back in August 2016.

10. Amit Roshanlal Jain ( $125,558)

Sitting on the 10^th place is the Adda52 Pro Amit Jain from Mumbai in India. He also has an impressive resume with $125,558 in all time money list. His best cash till date includes $27,714. This year gave him several top cashes. However, his biggest cash included $ 27,714 for his 14^th place finish in the WSOP $ 1,111 No Limit Hold’em Little One for One Drop (Event #69) at 2016 WSOP, Las Vegas. His second best cash this year was $ 11,372, which he earned in the WSOP $ 3,000 No Limit Hold’em (Event #52) at the 47^th WSOP, Las Vegas in June 2016. He finished 16^th in the WPTN $ 1,500 + 150 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event at 2016 World Poker Tour National (WPTN)- Philippines,earning $ 4,400.