Yesterday’s Indian poker groups on social media were trending ‘Pentakota Pentakota Pentakota!’ and we couldn’t be happier that 30 year old Vizag-based Manoj (plays by ‘killbill’ on Poker Baazi) took down the PPL Main Event for over Rs. 28L. Manoj was part of PSL Season 1’s ‘Chennai Bulls’ and is on the PRO Draft for Season 2!
Congratulations Manoj! You have been killing it online and live this year already! What does this feel like?
Well it’s always motivating and feeling-good when we do well with our game so no complaints so far. Taking a break from cash games and working on my tournaments right now.
A little on your background and how poker started for you?
With a degree in mechanical engineering, I was a day trader for a USA based trading firm in Vizag and I happened to pick up poker from my colleagues there. Since then, there has been no looking back.
How different are live tables v/s online? Is it fair to say online is less challenging?
Yes, they are quite different and live is more challenging because online poker is equipped with so many tools that help in drawing reads on opponents.
Any crucial hands in the Final Table?
Nothing really. Just the classic flips and picking spots to shove on opponents open.
Do you have any favourite hand besides the usual AA, AK etc?
I would say 10Js but it really does not make much difference. You’ve just got to play the cards you’re dealt.
Where do you see the Indian poker industry five years from now?
With so many poker leagues in line, poker is definitely booming. The game will penetrate and it is going to be recognized as the mind sport, which it is.
What do you think about India Poker Ranking as a concept? You are now #8 on our Leaderboard.
It’s always a healthy competition when you have an open leaderboard. I am glad you’ll came up with IPR, which encourages healthy competition within the poker community.
Just curious, while you were actually winding up from DPT in Goa, What made you decide to play the PPL Main Event online?
My plan was to play the PPL ME if I did not make it to the Day 2 in the DPT ME, which, thankfully I did not!
(And that answer made us jump to our last and favourite question), of whether “You call it luck that it turned out this way?”
I’ll call it Destiny!