Heads-Up With Tarun Goyal: The Poker Prodigy Shattering Records and Rewriting the Rules of Indian Poker!

Tarun Goyal (cover image) isn’t just a poker player; he’s a legend in the making. This former IT professional from Bhatinda has been shattering records and redefining what’s possible in poker. His recent performance on Dhanteras – just one of many incredible feats in the last few months – catapulted him to the top of the Player of the Year leaderboard, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. But Goyal’s ambitions extend beyond his own success. He’s determined to inspire and nurture the next generation of Indian poker players, sharing his knowledge and passion for the game with aspiring grinders.

Goyal’s poker story is a testament to his audacity and unwavering belief in himself. He traded the stability of a conventional IT career for the unpredictable world of professional poker, and it’s safe to say the gamble has paid off in spades.

His rise has been nothing short of meteoric. He started by playing small-stakes cash games and quickly climbed to the highest stakes, catching the eye of Adda52 along the way. This crusher became one of their early Team Pros in 2016, gaining instant recognition and fame just a day after winning his first live title at the DPT.

While his early online dominance was primarily on Adda52, he soon expanded to other platforms, and seven-figure scores became almost commonplace. He crushed major tournaments like Spartan Poker’s IOPC Super High Roller (2021), Millionaire Series Main Event (2022), and the IOPC Mega High Roller (2023). But it’s his recent rampage on Natural8 India that truly launched him into the stratosphere.

His first appearance on Natural8 India in February was just a taste of what was to come. In August, he snagged a runner-up finish in the Bounty Hunters HR Main Event for a mind-blowing ₹1.04 Crores! While that would be a career-defining score for most, for Goyal, it was just the beginning of an insane run unlike any other in Indian poker history.

Less than a week later, he etched his name in poker legend by becoming the ninth Indian to win a coveted WSOP bracelet! He conquered the WSOP Online Event #4: $840 Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha, taking home a life−changing ₹1.10 Crores. And he was still just getting started. He followed this with a monstrous ₹1.11 Crores victory in the Bounty Hunters HR Deepstack on September 23. These extraordinary wins set the stage for his Dhanteras masterpiece.

On October 29, Goyal orchestrated an unforgettable performance in the prestigious GGMillion$ Main Event on Natural8 India. With a ₹10+ Lakhs buy-in, this high-stakes tournament attracted an elite 928-entry field featuring some of the world’s best players. Unfazed by the fierce competition, Goyal navigated his way to an extraordinary 10th-place finish, earning a jaw-dropping ₹1.23 Crores!

This remarkable performance marked Goyal’s fourth eight-figure score this year – an unprecedented feat for an Indian poker player – achieved in just 11 weeks! With this latest triumph, his annual earnings have skyrocketed to an unprecedented ₹7.01 Crores, with ₹6.37 Crores won exclusively on Natural8 India. By shattering the ₹7 Crore threshold in a single year, Goyal has cemented his place in the record books but has also become a trailblazer in Indian poker! This monumental achievement propelled him to the top of the fiercely competitive Player of the Year leaderboard, with a commanding ₹1.10 Crore lead over the long-reigning champion, Young Gun Neel Joshi.

Despite his meteoric rise and string of victories, Goyal remains grounded and focused. When asked about topping the POY rankings, he humbly responded, “Well, it is ongoing. Everyone in the top 10 is really good. So, my focus is never on these things. I just focus on the controllable and go on from there.”

Adding another layer of intrigue to his story, Goyal has a brother (Pulkit Goyal) who is also a competitive poker player! Talk about raising the stakes at family gatherings!

Goyal’s dominance isn’t limited to the online felt. His exploits in the 2024 WSOP in Las Vegas also add to his phenomenal year!

Behind the dazzling victories and record-breaking scores lies a deep commitment to discipline and continuous improvement. Goyal’s relentless pursuit of excellence is an inspiration to aspiring poker players everywhere, proving that with dedication and a hunger to learn, greatness is within reach.

A Journey From IT to Poker: Goyal’s Rise to the Top

A former IT professional and Adda52 Team Pro, Goyal discovered poker while working in the tech industry. Over time, poker became his true calling, and in 2012, he transitioned to playing poker full-time. Since then, Goyal has built an impressive resume, boasting a DPT live title, 40 online wins, and deep finishes in prestigious live events, including picking up his maiden cash in the WSOP Main Event this year.

“I started playing 12 years back,” Goyal shared, reflecting on his poker journey. “I always wanted to be self-employed, and I had a strong interest in software and computers. One day, while working, I discovered poker, and gradually, my passion for software was replaced by my passion for poker.”

When asked about his transition from IT to poker, he explained, “My job had become monotonous, and I was simply working for money. Poker was the perfect replacement, offering a thrill every day of the week.” This shift to poker allowed Goyal to combine his analytical skills with his love for competitive strategy, creating a powerful foundation for his poker career.

Representing Adda52 and Strengthening Bonds in the Poker Community

During his time as an Adda52 pro, Goyal honed his game and expanded his network. “The time as an Adda52 pro was focused on volume—I was playing a lot back then,” Goyal noted. “I had great opportunities to connect with top industry people. It was an enriching experience.”

Interestingly, poker runs in Goyal’s family. His brother, who bears an uncanny resemblance to him, is also a poker player. When asked about sibling rivalry, Goyal chuckled, “We definitely help each other as much as we can. That said, there’s always some rivalry to outperform each other.”

A Historic WSOP Journey and an Unforgettable Bracelet Win

August 24, 2024, became a milestone in Goyal’s career when he won India its 12th WSOP bracelet. Competing against 881 entrants, Goyal took down WSOP Online Event #4: $840 Bounty Pot Limit Omaha on Natural8 India, overcoming a final heads-up showdown against GGPoker Ambassador Ren Lin. The bracelet victory added a remarkable ₹1.09 Crores to his bankroll and firmly established Goyal among India’s poker elite.

“I felt ecstatic,” Goyal expressed, reflecting on this achievement. “I wasn’t focused on winning; I was focused on playing each spot to the best of my ability, and it paid off. I recorded the winning moment—I was thrilled.”

Goyal’s deep run at the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas this year also provided valuable insights. “I had a great experience at the WSOP,” he shared. “I got to know a lot about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses. I played really well, but a few mistakes in big pots hindered my progress. Playing against renowned players like Adrian Mateos on Day 5 was an incredible experience. I look forward to going back next year and feel confident in my live poker skills.”

The Key to Success: Discipline, Mindset, and Healthy Habits

Goyal attributes much of his success to discipline and a commitment to self-improvement. “The main factors for consistent results are mindset work, healthy eating, and working on my technical game,” he stated. In the high-stakes poker world, mental resilience is crucial, and Goyal has embraced this challenge wholeheartedly. “Working on mindset is essential to competing against tough fields. I’ve made a mindset shift to enjoy the pressure, whereas earlier, it was daunting.”

He’s also refined his routines and habits to sustain his winning streaks. “Winning is a habit,” Goyal observed. “A human is simply a replayer of their own habits and routines, so I made adjustments in my routines, habits, and mindset.”

When discussing his preference for tournaments over cash games, Goyal noted, “For me, options are always open, but I enjoy tournaments more than cash games these days. Cash games don’t provide the same thrill as tournaments.”

Looking Ahead: A Vision to Inspire the Next Generation

As poker continues to gain popularity in India, Goyal sees himself playing an influential role in fostering new talent. “MTT poker is very competitive and exciting. I might start streaming or perhaps coaching later in my career to help nurture the next generation of players.”

With an illustrious career already behind him, Goyal feels his journey is just beginning. “I feel my poker career has only started. I’m committed to working hard on my MTT game and becoming a world-class player.”

This Dhanteras marked not only a milestone in Tarun Goyal’s personal journey but also a new chapter in Indian poker history. His record-breaking achievements, unyielding dedication, and commitment to fostering the next wave of players have solidified his legacy.

In an industry that demands constant reinvention, Goyal stands as a testament to what is possible through hard work and an unbreakable spirit. He’s not just playing the game; he’s changing it, inspiring countless others to chase their dreams and reach for greatness. With his sights set on becoming a world-class player and a mentor for the next generation, Goyal’s journey is far from over. The Indian poker world will be watching eagerly as he continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a true poker champion!