Muskan Sethi Recounts Her Experiences at EPT Barcelona and PokerStars Shark Cage

Last month we reported about Indian poker player Muskan Sethi`s (cover image) qualification for the PokerStars Shark Cage Heat that was played during the recently concluded EPT Barcelona. Well, this surely was a rare honor for any young player and when that young player happens to be one of India’s finest female poker players, the combination definitely deserves an applaud.

Muskan, India’s sole representative at the PokerStars Shark Cage heat at EPT Barcelona, came agonizingly close to victory. She managed to make it to the heads-up stage on her quest to a seat in the finale and a shot at the winner takes all $1 Million cash prize.

The ever-jovial Muskan has certainly left this close encounter to the finale seat behind her and is all praises of her experiences at the poker fest. She relishes this opportunity that gave her the chance to learn from top poker pros along with a chance to explore the beautiful and vibrant Barcelona!

Muskan is no stranger to the international stage; she was the lone lady to be a part of the Indian team that attended this year’s WSOP. This was Muskan’s second trip to WSOP and an impromptu one.

The lady takes pride in surviving the grueling selection process for Shark Cage and playing it well enough to reach the heads-up stage. Following the format of the tournament, Muskan even managed to send poker pro Mike “Timex” McDonald to the cage after pulling off a bluff against him.

Read on to know all about Muskan’s wonderful experiences at EPT Barcelona and PokerStars Shark Cage, her future plans and her words of wisdom to upcoming poker players!

Hi Muskan, Congratulations on making it to the PokerStars Shark Cage Semi-Finals! Tell us about the entire concept and how did you come across the idea of taking part? How does it feel to become the first Indian Shark Cage Qualifier?

Thank you so much for all the support, Shark Cage was absolutely a dream come true!

Somewhere around May 2014, this one time I was playing on PokerStars and an advertisement caught my attention. I usually never take chances like these or enter competitions but I decided to read more on this one.

These were freeroll qualifiers for a seat in an upcoming TV show by PokerStars – known as Shark Cage that was going to be filmed around Aug 14. One had to finish in the top 20 positions to advance to the next level that was casting stage.

I luckily finished 10th out of 10,000. These tournaments were running everyday for a month and the top 20 finishers from each tournament were asked to submit an audition video before the 17th of June 2014.

Shortlisted videos were contacted and participants were interviewed on the phone after which further shortlisted players had to pass a tough poker quiz and then finally from around 700,000 entrants 4 people got selected. Phewww!

I got a call while I was playing at the WSOP as I had done all this before leaving. I couldn’t believe it, still feels amazing. I just can’t face the camera and that got me nervous and a little scared. But I had a blast on the show!! Shark Cage rules and the structure was fun!

How did you prepare before playing the qualifier tournament at EPT Barcelona?

I took a few sessions from Faraz Jaka, who’s a well-known professional poker player. He literary opened my eyes; I was playing some serious wild poker before that! Other than that I unfortunately didn’t get much time, as my trip was re-scheduled!

Do share your experience at the Shark Cage? Who were the other pros at your table? Do share some interesting hands and incidents?

The experience was magical to be honest! The format was easy but confusing. Players only had 30 seconds to act on each street, but that wasn’t a problem for me. I was up against Liv Boeree, Mike McDonald (timex), Sam Grafton (run it once), Jason Mercier and Mike Tindal (sportsperson).

I love Liv Boeree, Phil Ivey and Vanessa Selbst and to be actually playing poker with one of my poker idols was ‘a dream come true’. I was really excited to be facing Jason Mercier and Mike McDonald, its fun to compete with the best! Sam Grafton and Mike Tindal were very sweet!

Were you sent to the shark cage for getting bluffed or did you sent someone to the cage?

So the fun part was if your bluff gets through you get to send the player you bluffed into the cage for one orbit and if they catch you bluffing then visa versa. No one could send me to the cage.. hehe and I sent Mike McDonald to the cage… haha!

I got into two really intense hands against him. He was the toughest player to beat on the table. Facing him and his stare downs was an experience in itself!

Were you satisfied with your play at the event?

According to me I made a few silly mistakes, which could have been avoided, but I am happy and thankful for everything. The whole experience was special to me!! I can tell you that I was really close. I made it to the heads up and about winning or losing, I would say, everything happens for a reason.

What else did you do apart from poker in Barcelona?

I spend a lot of time at the on-site production office for PokerStars. While the other major tournaments were running I was observing all the work that happens backstage and the effort that’s put into making such big tournaments possible! I just loved it there… I met such amazing people and I am so sure I was destined to learn from them. It was pure luck to even try something that seemed impossible in the first place.

I also got to see Barcelona for the first time!

I’m totally in love with it!! I love being close to water plus it’s a beautiful place!! It’s got a bit of everything I love!

What are your plans now? Any advice for budding poker players?

Balancing poker with the other important things is the only way one can stick around, but I would advice all poker players who might be reading this to take baby steps where poker is concerned and not to lose money. Master low stakes first and please don’t waste your parent’s or your own hard earned money for any big tournaments until poker has paid you enough!

Winning or cashing in big buy-in tournaments or cash games depends a lot on the variance. The variance can get you into trouble if cards are not in your favor, unless you have built a bankroll with an initial small amount that proves how good a player you are! Eventually only that will lead you to your poker dreams and I am surely going to practice what I have just preached.

Muskan signs off…..