Rakesh Kalla Wins All Expenses Paid Package to APT Philippines III on Spartan Poker

Rakesh Kalla
  • Profile picture
  • PG News August 30, 2016
  • 2 Minutes Read

Spartan Poker continues its tradition of providing new and aspiring poker players unbelievable rewards at its thrilling promotions. The latest name to join the Spartan Poker elite list of winners is Bikaner businessman, Rakesh ‘rockynockals’ Kalla (cover image), who has just won the first of the latest Asian Poker Tour (APT) satellites to the APT Philippines III. Rakesh defeated an entry-field of 17 players in the ₹9,900 qualifier that netted him a package worth ₹2 Lakhs!

The package gives Rakesh an entry worth $1,650 to the APT Philippines III Main Event, Plus a Bounty event seat worth $440, as well as six-nights hotel accommodation and return air tickets to the venue.

This is not Rakesh’s first title, as he just topped a 925-strong field at the new ₹99 buy-in weekly (₹1 Lakh GTD) tournament i.e. Gutshot that took place on Wednesday night and had a guaranteed prize of ₹25,00 for the winner. Just a week before that, he also took down the Sunday SuperStack event after outlasting the 58 entries for a six figure payday.

Here we have the 39-year old winner tell us about his poker experience, the recent win and his plans for the upcoming trip to Philippines.

 

How did you start playing poker?

I started my poker journey playing among friends with low stacks. Initial losing sessions led me to dig deeper and learn the game in depth. Some tips from the Internet, some reading and of course a lot of practice, let me learn this game a little better. I still don’t count on myself as good poker player. However I can admit that I am better than before (smiles). Right from the start I always played poker for real money, but initially of course it was small stacks and only just for fun.

 

Does your username mean anything?

Rocky knocking kals. Rocky and Kals are my nicknames. So it’s like fighting with myself (laughs)!

 

How does it feel to win such a package?

It definitely feels good to win a package like this; I am on cloud 9 right now! Very excited! This is my biggest win online in terms of value. Though I have won a prize of ₹104,000 getting the first place in last week’s Sunday SuperStack and also won the Gutshot tournament for ₹25,000 last Wednesday.

 

Have you travelled abroad to play poker?

I have never travelled abroad to play poker. Even never thought so about this; I have been to Goa for the India Poker Championship (IPC) last year but could not make much of it on that tour. That was in fact my first ever poker tournament so a good learning experience.

 

Will you make any special preparations for this trip?

I will just go with the flow, haven’t thought of making any preparations so far. Perhaps do some more reading or watch some videos.

 

Are you planning to play only the two events in the package?

As of now I haven’t decided if I will play any other side events or not, will watch there and decide as all this is very new for me. All I can say here is it’s because of Spartan Poker only and their promotions for IPC/IOPC and APT that people like me are here. I also went for my first ever IPC live event in Goa by winning 2 tickets of IOPC. I hope to learn more poker and looking forward to the trip!

 

He may be making his first trip abroad but we get the feeling that given his recent form Rakesh Kalla might just end up making a score or two in Manila.

0 0 votes
Article Rating

Related Players

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Top Online Poker Rooms

Top
PokerGuru