A Birthday Fit For a Poker King: Laksh Pal Singh Crowned PokerBaazi’s Newest Team Pro

Imagine this: you’re celebrating your 30th birthday, the candles are lit, and everyone’s singing. But instead of a cake, you’re presented with a life-changing opportunity. That’s exactly what happened to Laksh Pal Singh, the young poker prodigy who just conquered PokerBaazi’s “The Circuit” and woke up on his birthday with an incredible gift – a pro contract with PokerBaazi!

“Boooom, best birthday gift ever @poker_baazi,” Singh exclaimed on PokerBaazi’s Instagram post announcing this news. Who could blame him? This isn’t just any birthday present; it’s a monumental leap forward in his poker career.

From Hanoi to Hero: Laksh’s Triumphant “Circuit” Journey

Just days before his birthday, the poker community watched with bated breath as “The Circuit” Season 1 reached its climax. Filmed in the electrifying atmosphere of Hanoi, Vietnam, the show pitted 12 of India’s sharpest poker minds against each other in a battle of wits and strategy. Emerging from the smoke and tension, Laksh Pal Singh claimed the trophy and a whopping ₹15 Lakhs. Veteran pro Jasven Saigal put up a valiant fight, securing second place and ₹8 Lakhs, while the dark horse, Dannish Thiyam, surprised everyone with a third-place finish and ₹5 Lakhs.

But the birthday surprises didn’t stop there! On November 22, as Singh celebrated his big day, PokerBaazi dropped a bombshell announcement: he was their newest Team Pro. Following in the footsteps of renowned poker coach Abhishek Goindi, who joined the team in November 2022, Singh now carries the torch as a PokerBaazi ambassador. This strategic move by PokerBaazi not only recognizes Singh’s exceptional skills but also demonstrates their commitment to fostering the growth of poker in India.

“This incredible talent has an inspiring story – learning from some of the best and rising to become one of India’s finest,” said Varun Ganjoo, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Baazi Games. “He is a true torchbearer of the sport. His recent triumph, clinching the title of The Circuit championship, further cements his status as a true Poker beast. This decision felt like the natural next step. Proud, thrilled, and beyond excited to welcome Laksh as a PokerBaazi Team Pro!”

Early Encounters and a Spark of Interest

While most kids his age were focused on exams and extracurricular activities, Singh had his first brush with poker in ninth grade. It was a casual game amongst friends, played for fun rather than profit, but it planted a seed that would later blossom into a full-fledged passion.

“I was in school, in 9th grade, and saw my friends playing poker. I ended up playing, too. I only played that one time, and we didn’t even play for money,” Laksh recalls.

Poker was obviously destined to return to Singh’s life later, and this time in a much bigger way. Singh has been friends with another poker pro, Sahil Mahboobani‘s brother, since school. He soon struck a friendship with Mahboobani and was impressed with the latter’s knowledge of poker.

“I got introduced to poker by Sahil Mahboobani. He lived a minute away from me and used to play on PokerStars’ International client back in the day. Simply watching him play fascinated me. At that time, Mahboobani used to play MTTs for 8-10 hours non-stop!”

This sparked a fire in Singh, and he began to explore the game with a newfound intensity.

From College Dreams to Poker Reality

After graduating with a B.Com Honors degree from Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Singh seemed destined for a traditional career path. He began pursuing Chartered Accountancy, a challenging and prestigious profession. However, his passion for poker continued to simmer beneath the surface.

In 2015, during an audit, Laksh found himself drawn back to the game. He started playing in home games and exploring the online poker scene, starting with micro-stakes. As he delved deeper into the strategic nuances of poker, he realized that this wasn’t just a hobby; it was his calling.

Taking the Leap: Turning Pro

In September 2018, Singh made the bold decision to turn pro. It wasn’t an easy choice. He faced opposition from his family, who were concerned about the uncertainties of a poker career. He also had to grapple with financial anxieties and the competitive nature of the poker world.

However, Singh’s determination was unwavering. He even made the difficult decision to forgo his final Chartered Accountancy exams to fully dedicate himself to his passion. Under the mentorship of Aditya Agarwal, a prominent figure in the Indian poker scene, and with the support of PokerGuru Staking, Singh began to refine his skills and build his reputation.

Rising Through the Ranks: A Trail of Triumphs

Singh’s dedication and hard work paid off. He quickly rose through the ranks, accumulating an impressive track record of online and live tournament wins. Today, his online prowess is undeniable. His tracked online winnings have surpassed a staggering ₹17 Crores, with ₹4.66 Crores won on PokerBaazi alone, highlighting his dominance on the platform.

He’s conquered almost every flagship tournament on PokerBaazi, including The Endeavour, BSS SuperStack, The Summit, The Weekly HighRoller, BSS Big Bounty, WTF, The Pride, and even an APT Online India title.

Singh’s success isn’t confined to the virtual felt. He’s also a formidable force in live tournaments, having accumulated over ₹93 Lakhs in winnings. While a live title still eludes him, he’s come tantalisingly close on two occasions:

WPT Cambodia $1,100 Main Event Warm-Up (November 2019): Singh finished runner-up in this prestigious tournament, snagging his best live score to date – $17,509 (~₹12.58 Lakhs).

DPT May 2024 Edition ₹33K NLHE Mystery Bounty: He once again demonstrated his live tournament skills by finishing second, adding ₹5.35 Lakhs (including ₹1.50 Lakhs in bounties) to his bankroll.

Leading the Charge: Team Captain and Ambassador

Singh’s contributions to the poker community go beyond individual achievements. He captained the Mumbai Anchors to victory in the Pocket52 Poker Sports League (PSL) – Season 5 after narrowly missing the championship in PSL Season 3 (Virtual) in February 2021, proving his leadership skills. He also served as a Team Pro/Ambassador for Pocket52, further solidifying his role as a respected figure in the Indian poker scene.

Now, with PokerBaazi, he’s ready to take his commitment to the next level. He envisions his role as a platform to nurture the Indian poker landscape, promoting the game, engaging with the community, and providing valuable educational content.

Laksh Pal Singh’s journey inspires aspiring poker players everywhere. It’s a story of passion, perseverance, and, ultimately, triumph. As the newest member of the PokerBaazi Pro Team, he’ll not just be playing cards anymore; he’ll also help shape the future of Indian poker.