Tag: Poker Sports League

PSL 7 shuffles the deck with influencers, free entry and a high-stakes Goa finale

MUMBAI: India’s most high-stakes, high-drama poker league is back. Poker Sports League (PSL) — billed as the world’s largest poker league — has shuffled up and dealt out its plans for Season 7, promising a mind-sport spectacle of skill, grit, and serious gameplay. With PokerBaazi as title sponsor and JioHotstar as official streaming partner, the league is going all-in with a raft of upgrades and innovations.

From free-to-enter qualifiers and influencer-led showdowns to the introduction of mandatory female poker pros and a franchise revenue-sharing model, PSL is betting big on inclusion, digital scale, and edge-of-your-seat action.

Speaking on the synergy with PokerBaazi and JioHotstar, Poker Sports League CEO & co-founder, Pranav Bagai said, “With PokerBaazi’s credibility in competitive poker and JioHotstar’s extensive digital reach, PSL Season 7 is well-positioned to reach a wider, more engaged audience. This season brings together scale, skill, and immersive storytelling to elevate the profile of poker as a mind sport in India. By combining strategic gameplay with high-quality digital content, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the broader mind sports ecosystem in the country.”

“Each season of PSL is rooted in our commitment to innovation and inclusion. Season 7 introduces several firsts, from mandatory female poker pros and influencer showdowns to a new revenue sharing model for franchises and a massive finale in Goa. This is more than just competition, it’s a celebration of poker as a modern, mind-driven sport. We invite poker players and fans across the country to be a part of this journey.” Bagai added.

What’s new this season?

● 8 franchise teams battle it out for poker supremacy (soon to expand to 9)

● Revenue-sharing model makes PSL India’s first league to give franchisees a cut

● Mandatory female pros on every team – a strong push for representation

● Influencer face-offs – bringing creators and celebs into the mix

● Live-streamed matches on JioHotstar, including qualifiers, auctions and the grand finale

● 5-day finale in South Goa, loaded with high-stakes drama and resort glamour

Following a blockbuster Season 6 that clocked 20,927 unique participants, Season 7 is now live on PokerBaazi with daily free qualifiers running from 25 June to 3 August. Players can compete in up to 8 events, climb the leaderboard, and land in the top 40 for a shot at the auction, with a base bid of Rs 50,000 and a confirmed team spot.

Baazi Games founder and CEO, Navkiran Singh commented, “PSL introduces a unique team format for Poker and has grown quite popular over the years. As a mind sport that demands strategy, skill, and composure, Poker is on the rise, and we believe Season 7 will build on this momentum to take the sport to new heights.”

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June 30, 2025
Pocket52 Poker Sports League exclusively streaming on JioCinema

Mumbai: Poker Sports League (PSL), is back for its highly anticipated Season 6, promising to deal out even more excitement than ever before.

With over 12.5 million views (6x growth from the previous season), Season 5 firmly established PSL as one of the most viewed poker events – globally. Reflecting on the resounding success of PSL Season 5 which captivated audiences and set new benchmarks in the realm of tournament poker, Poker Sports League CEO & founder Pranav Bagai stated, “PSL Season 6 is poised to transcend even greater heights and promises unparalleled excitement, intensified competition, and thrilling gameplay for all poker enthusiasts. This season, we’re not just raising the bar; we’re setting new standards.”

Fuelling the global rise of poker, PSL has become a breeding ground for talent and a platform for passionate players across India to be discovered and make a name for themselves in the poker world. This season builds on that legacy, with 42 new players, who will have a chance to be a part of PSL by playing the free qualifiers on Pocket52. Bagai, further added, “PSL is not just a tournament; it’s a movement towards establishing poker in a viewer friendly, team format. Our unique format and business model have played a pivotal role in helping establish PSL as the largest Poker league in the world – in terms of prize pool, participation and viewership”.

Key Highlights of PSL Season 6:

. Expansion to seven teams from six, each featuring the top professional players in India.

. Free entry and open qualifiers on Pocket52, providing new opportunities for aspiring players across India.

. Contestants can compete in upto 8 daily PSL tournaments over the next 45 days to collect leaderboard points on Pocket52.

. Top 42 players on the P52 PSL leaderboard are guaranteed a spot in one of the teams. .

. Top 1000 players on P52 PSL leaderboard are assured prizes worth over 40 Lakhs.

. Addition of Hindi commentary on JioCinema enhances accessibility & the viewing experience for a broader audience.

. Poker Sports League is free to enter and the try-outs are held exclusively on Pocket52.

. The qualifiers kicked off on June 16th, with over 5,000 people participating in the first qualifier.

Continuing its successful partnership with JioCinema as the official streaming partner and Pocket52 as the title sponsor, PSL Season 6 boasts a record-breaking prize pool of Rs two crores. Bagai further expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, stating, “We are immensely excited to announce continuing our successful partnership with JioCinema and Pocket52. This year, we are not only increasing the prize pool but also expanding the number of teams from 6 to 7, promising an exhilarating event that will engage and entertain audiences like never before. Building on the immense success of Season 5, we are confident that PSL Season 6 will surpass all previous records and set even higher standards in the world of poker entertainment.”

Commenting on the association, head – Branded Content, Vivek Mohan Sharma said, “At Viacom18, we are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the Poker Sports League for its sixth season. The unparalleled excitement and competition of PSL resonate with our vision of delivering premium sports entertainment. JioCinema’s platform will bring the thrill of poker to an even broader audience, enhancing the viewing experience with innovations like Hindi commentary. As we witness PSL set new benchmarks, we are proud to support this extraordinary league that champions both talent and the spirit of the game.”

Pocket52 VP – Business, Nitesh Salvi, expressed pride in supporting PSL once again, stating, “We are thrilled to announce our title sponsorship of the Poker Sports League (PSL). Pocket52 PSL gives players a unique opportunity to play free qualifiers on Pocket52, compete with India’s top poker talent, play live in Goa, and feature on JioCinema. Pocket52 is dedicated to providing a safe and secure platform for both professional and recreational players. Our new app, launched alongside PSL, offers enhanced features for a superior gameplay experience. The online poker industry is growing rapidly, and Pocket52 is committed to leading this charge with continuous innovation and exciting new opportunities for our players. Join us and experience poker at its finest”

June 25, 2024
Dsport to telecast Poker Sports League’s season 2

MUMBAI: Dsport, Discovery Communications India’s sports TV channel, has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast season two of the Poker Sports League (PSL), the world’s first franchise-based poker league. The tournament will be covered in English to begin with. This will be the first-ever broadcast of the globally popular sport of poker in India. PSL’s choice of broadcast partner was made after careful evaluation involving multiple bids.

PSL co-founder Amit Burman said, “PSL’s biggest challenge has been to overcome preconceived notions and change people’s perception with regards to poker. Hence, our positioning has been clear from the very start and this will get established further by getting the league broadcasted on a sports channel. Dsport’s wide coverage of international sporting properties made it the natural choice.

With this partnership announcement, PSL has clearly distinguished itself from other leagues in India. For Season two, PSL has franchised 12 teams with each team committing close to INR 15 crore over the next eight years. For the season, the organisers have announced a prize pool of INR 3.6 crores, which is a significant increase from the previous edition.

TS Panesar, head of business at Dsport, said, “Poker is broadcast on sports channels across the globe since 1978. In India, this will be a first and considering that PSL is the world’s first franchise-based poker league, we are excited to partner with them. The PSL team is committed to creating an excellent broadcast-friendly show to reach out to sport lovers across the subcontinent and make this an exceptional experience for them.”

The teams this year will consist of a total of 10 players each, comprising one mentor/playing captain, two pro-players, two from free live qualifiers, three from free online qualifiers and two wild-card entries. While the first season saw 140 players getting drafted, this year the drafts will see close to 170 players, who can be eligible for participation.

Based on the design, PSL is eliminating the factor of luck by ensuring the players get to prove their poker skills over multiple events. For instance, players who want to make it to the online draft need to play 24 out of 72 deep-stack online events and need to perform well across all the events in order to stand a chance of getting drafted.

“We are very excited to have DSport as our broadcasting channel partner this season. Season 1 was a proof of the concept year as we wanted to test the potential of converting an individual sport into a team sport. Season 2 requires us to multiply PSL’s reach much beyond the online platform in order to connect with every possible poker enthusiast out there,” PSL co-founder Pranav Bagai said. “Anybody who knows the ‘p’ of poker can prove his/her skill by qualifying through free live qualifiers or free online qualifiers, which began last month and will continue until March 2018.”

When asked about this association, Viswanathan Anand, chess maestro and brand ambassador of PSL, said, “Poker as a sport has ample potential and it is about time that we Indians realise it and give the sport the kind of attention that it deserves. PSL joining hands with DSport sure looks like a step in the right direction.”

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Poker Sports League to excite Indian minds in 2017

Dabur’s Amit Burman-backed Poker Sports League to launch on 24 May in Goa

January 4, 2018
Dabur’s Amit Burman-backed Poker Sports League to launch on 24 May in Goa

MUMBAI: So looking at sports these days we have a national league for each and every game let it be cricket, football, hockey, basketball, badminton, kabaddi and many more. Now you can add poker to that list. Come 24 May, the Deltin Royale, which is anchored in the Mandovi river in Goa, will see the launch of the Poker Sports League (PSL) – the first of its kind in India.

The purpose of the PSL: “To promote the tournament aspect of poker across India and to provide every poker enthusiast an opportunity to play for the pride of winning. To promote responsible poker.”

With a prize money of Rs 3.3 crore, 12 teams consisting of nine players each, the tournament will be held in the largest poker room on board the five storied Deltin Royale over five days. The teams which were formed after a player draft include: Bengaluru Jokers, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Panthers, Goan Nuts, Gujarat Acers, Haryana Hunters, Kings Hyderabad, Kolkata Royals, Mumbai Anchors, Pune Sharks, Punjab Bluffers and Rajasthan Tilters.

The PSL – the brain child of Dabur scion and vice-chairman Amit Burman, – has attracted a clutch of well known entrepreneur businessmen to become team owners:

Team Delhi: Rishi Kajaria, joint MD, Kajaria Ceramics and Ruchiransh Jaipuria of Jaipuria Group, Leela Jewels Abhishekh Jain, and Dhampur Sugars Gaurav Goel

Team Mumbai: Mehul Shah, original promoter of Anchor Electrical;

Team Bengaluru: Kunal Shah, cofounder of FreeCharge

Team Hyderabad: Amit Shah, Karan Bhagat and Yatin Shah of IIFL Wealth Management

Team Gujarat: Harish Bahl,, Manish Vij and Gopikaa Davar of the Smile group and Mukesh Agarwal of VITWO.

Team Kolkata: Ankkit Bahadur of Playboy, North India and Taarun V Jain of Legend Group

Team Goa: Gaurav Mohan of Eventwala

Team Chennai: FreshDesk cofounder Girish Mathrubootam and CaratLane cofounder Mithun Sancheti

Team Harayana: Citrus Payment (PayU) cofounders Amrish Rau and Jiendra Gupta

Team Pune: Rishabh Jhunjhunwala of Bhilwara Group, Shamit Khemka of Synapse India, Chetan Kajaria of Kajaria Ceramics and Sachin Goel

Team Rajasthan: Purrshottam Bhaggeria of Filatex

“This will ensure that the league becomes a success going ahead,” Burman had said during the announcement of the league a few months back.

Each team has a captain, or mentor, and two professional and four amateur players who were chosen from the thousands competing in online and offline events over the past five months.

A gaggle of professionals have also decided to take part Jaideep Sajwan, Zarvan Tumboli , Vidwath Shetty, Manoj Pentakota, Vinod, Megalmani, Aman Dhamija, Vivek ‘ik’ Rughani, Tarun Goyal, Abhinav Iyer. Bhavn Nainani, Pawan Bansal, Alok Ranjan, Madan Kumar, Sangeet Patni, Sahil, Mayank Agarwal Nishant Sharma, Karthik Ved, Deepak Batr, Sharad Rao, Sumit Sapra, Ratul Steves, SAhil Chutani and Siddharth Singvi.

It has also attracted a handful of sponsors in year one: Jet Airways, Bira, Real Activ and John Jacobs.

According to one of the team mentors Kunal Patni, the idea is to sportify the game in year one. “We have the RFID tables and hole card cameras,” he told Radio One. “the idea is to have audiences know what’s going on and have them participate from the comfort of their homes.”

All the matches are to be shot and filmed and a seven- part series is to be created, even as the matches are live streamed online on its facebook page. Sources indicate the series will also be telecast on a TV channels.

Patni believes that the PSL will only grow from here and the sport which is taught in Harvard Business School will soon get the status it deserves, among India’s denizens.

May 22, 2017
Poker Sports League to excite Indian minds in 2017

MUMBAI: Creating a unique platform for skilled ‘mind sports’, Amit Burman has announced the launch of an exciting new league – Poker Sports League. The Poker Sports League forays into the space of intellectual and mind challenges and aims to popularize mind skill games. This game changing league will offer a never before experience to poker players with varying degree of expertise but a passion for the game, to unite and celebrate their love for the game as well as hone their poker skills under the guidance of well-established professional poker players.

In its first season, the Poker Sports League will consist of 12 teams, seven of which have already been sold and the remaining five shall be made available for sale shortly. These teams are associated with some of the well-known names from corporate India such as Kunal Shah (Co-Founder, FreeCharge), Mehul Shah (Original Promoter, Anchor Electrical), Rishi Kajaria (Joint MD, Kajaria Ceramics), Karan Bhagat (Co-Founder, IIFL Wealth), Purrshottam Bhaggeria (Joint MD, Filatex Group), Ankkit Bahadur (Co-Owner, Playboy North India) and Gaurav Mohan (Founder, Eventwala) who strongly believe in the potential of the game and its ability to harness the latent talent from across the nation.

The 12 teams will consist of a total of 108 players who will play for the prize money of INR 3.36 crore. These teams will be selected through 70+ qualifying rounds held across various cities for a period of nearly 3 months, as well as through online tournaments that will begin early in 2017. The players who qualify to the 12 teams will then compete to play at the Mega Finals, where the best and the finest of India’s poker talent will be invited to a display of skill and entertainment.

The league would include four amateur players, who would be selected through nationwide qualifiers which will be held both online and offline. Two wild cards players would make-up the team to nine players. The qualifiers would begin early 2017 and the finals are scheduled to take place in mid-2017.

PSL founder Amit Burman said, “Poker is a popular mind sport across the globe and has gained tremendous traction within India, amongst individuals looking to challenge their mind, grit and decision making abilities. Although the game is played with cards and there is an element of luck – the vast majority of the game depends on pure skill, mathematics, probability and decision making strategy. With no entry fee and sizeable prize money to aim for, the Poker Sports League is a unique opportunity for players of the game to hone their skills as well as popularise the game that is set to be recognized by the International Mind Sports association along with Chess, Bridge and Draughts”.

True to its vision of harnessing talent across India, the Poker Sports League will offer players an opportunity to play and learn from some of the best players in India. Every team will also have a professional poker player as a mentor and captain to develop team strategy and help young players sharpen their skills during the play.

At the helm of the Poker Sports League will be a core team that includes some of the well known names associated with poker in India, and known for their expertise, knowledge and passion for the game. The team includes India’s largest poker portal Adda52.com founder Anuj Gupta, who is also a co-founder of Poker Sports League.

The team is further strengthened by India Poker founder Pranav Bagai. Besides, being the co-founder of the league, Pranav has also been appointed as the CEO of PSL, and Nikita Luther, who is India’s top female Poker professional, will take charge as COO for the league.

December 26, 2016
Poker Sports League to excite Indian minds in 2017

MUMBAI: Creating a unique platform for skilled ‘mind sports’, Amit Burman has announced the launch of an exciting new league – Poker Sports League. The Poker Sports League forays into the space of intellectual and mind challenges and aims to popularize mind skill games. This game changing league will offer a never before experience to poker players with varying degree of expertise but a passion for the game, to unite and celebrate their love for the game as well as hone their poker skills under the guidance of well-established professional poker players.

In its first season, the Poker Sports League will consist of 12 teams, seven of which have already been sold and the remaining five shall be made available for sale shortly. These teams are associated with some of the well-known names from corporate India such as Kunal Shah (Co-Founder, FreeCharge), Mehul Shah (Original Promoter, Anchor Electrical), Rishi Kajaria (Joint MD, Kajaria Ceramics), Karan Bhagat (Co-Founder, IIFL Wealth), Purrshottam Bhaggeria (Joint MD, Filatex Group), Ankkit Bahadur (Co-Owner, Playboy North India) and Gaurav Mohan (Founder, Eventwala) who strongly believe in the potential of the game and its ability to harness the latent talent from across the nation.

The 12 teams will consist of a total of 108 players who will play for the prize money of INR 3.36 crore. These teams will be selected through 70+ qualifying rounds held across various cities for a period of nearly 3 months, as well as through online tournaments that will begin early in 2017. The players who qualify to the 12 teams will then compete to play at the Mega Finals, where the best and the finest of India’s poker talent will be invited to a display of skill and entertainment.

The league would include four amateur players, who would be selected through nationwide qualifiers which will be held both online and offline. Two wild cards players would make-up the team to nine players. The qualifiers would begin early 2017 and the finals are scheduled to take place in mid-2017.

PSL founder Amit Burman said, “Poker is a popular mind sport across the globe and has gained tremendous traction within India, amongst individuals looking to challenge their mind, grit and decision making abilities. Although the game is played with cards and there is an element of luck – the vast majority of the game depends on pure skill, mathematics, probability and decision making strategy. With no entry fee and sizeable prize money to aim for, the Poker Sports League is a unique opportunity for players of the game to hone their skills as well as popularise the game that is set to be recognized by the International Mind Sports association along with Chess, Bridge and Draughts”.

True to its vision of harnessing talent across India, the Poker Sports League will offer players an opportunity to play and learn from some of the best players in India. Every team will also have a professional poker player as a mentor and captain to develop team strategy and help young players sharpen their skills during the play.

At the helm of the Poker Sports League will be a core team that includes some of the well known names associated with poker in India, and known for their expertise, knowledge and passion for the game. The team includes India’s largest poker portal Adda52.com founder Anuj Gupta, who is also a co-founder of Poker Sports League.

The team is further strengthened by India Poker founder Pranav Bagai. Besides, being the co-founder of the league, Pranav has also been appointed as the CEO of PSL, and Nikita Luther, who is India’s top female Poker professional, will take charge as COO for the league.

December 26, 2016