Top 5 Live Scores of 2024: The Santhosh Suvarna Show 2.0

2024 was a wild ride for live poker, especially for those flying the Indian flag! After the GST bombshell dropped in 2023, the past year saw everyone adapting to a whole new playbook. Back home, the once-packed live tournament calendar thinned out, leaving the Deltin Poker Tournament (DPT) as the only major attraction for the live tournament faithful. But that didn’t stop Indian players from making their mark on the global scene. They were jet-setting to major poker hotspots in South Asia, Europe, and the USA, racking up impressive wins and eye-popping payouts!

Leading the charge was none other than Santhosh Suvarna, who etched his name as “India’s Shinning Live Poker Champion.” If 2023 signalled his rise like a phoenix, then 2024 was his domination tour. Remember how Santhosh Suvarna completely owned 2023, snagging the top five live scores and inspiring us to call our year-end feature “The Santhosh Suvarna Show”? Well, get ready for the sequel because this high-roller extraordinaire was simply unstoppable in 2024! He practically turned this year’s “Top 5 Live Scores of 2024” into “The Santhosh Suvarna Show 2.0!”

Suvarna’s achievements in 2024 were the stuff of legends. At the WSOP alone, he shattered records and rewrote history, storming to the top of India’s all-time money list, a position held by Vivek Rajkumar for over a decade. Throughout the year, Suvarna’s deep runs and final table appearances in some of the highest-stakes tournaments across the planet ensured he not only took the top five live scores of 2024 but actually locked down the top eight spots! It’s no wonder he was crowned the 2024 GPI Player of the Year (India) – the competition was simply playing catch-up.

But Suvarna wasn’t the only Indian player making headlines in the international poker circuit. Nishant Sharma had a phenomenal run at Poker Dream, including a Main Event hat trick at Poker Dream 11 Malaysia. And let’s not forget India’s poker legend, Aditya Agarwal, who finally clinched the elusive WSOP bracelet after an incredible 17-year chase. It was a year loaded with unforgettable moments, and one thing’s certain—2024 will go down as a legendary chapter in Indian poker history.

Top 10 Indian Live Scores of 2024

1. Santhosh Suvarna Creates History: Takes Down the 2024 WSOP Event #55: $250K Super High Roller For a Jaw-Dropping $5.415 Million (~₹45.23 Crores)

Santhosh Suvarna set the poker world on fire with his incredible victory in the prestigious 2024 WSOP Event #55: $250,000 Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em. He outlasted a field of 75 elite entrants to claim the top prize of a mind-blowing $5.415 Million (~₹45.23 Crores) and his second coveted WSOP gold bracelet.

In a finale for the ages, Suvarna locked horns with online poker legend Ben Tollerene in an electrifying heads-up showdown. Despite Tollerene’s formidable presence, Suvarna’s relentless drive and expert gameplay proved too much to handle. Tollerene walked away with a still-impressive $3.537 Million as the runner-up, but Suvarna stole the show.

This historic win wasn’t just a victory; it was a record-breaking performance that cemented Suvarna’s legacy in Indian poker:

• Biggest Indian Score at the 2024 WSOP: Suvarna’s win marked the highest single payout ever for an Indian at the WSOP.
• All-Time WSOP Indian Earnings Leader: He now holds the title of the highest-earning Indian player in WSOP history.
• Highest Indian Poker Score Ever: This was the largest payout ever achieved by an Indian player in any poker format.
• Dual-Bracelet Champion: Suvarna etched his name in history as the only Indian to win WSOP bracelets both in Europe and Las Vegas.
• New India #1: With this victory, Suvarna dethroned Vivek Rajkumar to become India’s all-time money leader in poker.
• Second-Biggest Scorer at the 2024 WSOP: With this incredible score and another final table finish in Event #79: $50,000 HIGH ROLLER Pot-Limit Omaha, Suvarna`s total winnings at the summer series soared to $6.06 Million (~₹50.66 Crores), making him the second-biggest winner overall behind only the Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo.

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2. Santhosh Suvarna Shines Again: Finishes Fifth in 2024 WSOP Event #79: $50K High Roller PLO, Bags $503,085 (~₹4.20 Crores)

Just eleven days after his monumental win in the $250K Super High Roller, Suvarna was back in action, this time making waves in Event #79: $50,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha. He battled his way to a fantastic fifth-place finish, adding another impressive accomplishment to his poker resume. While Suvarna`s dreams of becoming the first Indian to win a PLO bracelet remained just out of reach, he still walked away with a stunning $503,085 (~₹4.20 Crores).

This remarkable run was another historic achievement:

• Second-Highest Indian Score at the 2024 WSOP: Suvarna’s performance was second only to his own $250K Super High Roller win earlier in the series.
• Deepest Indian Run in a PLO Bracelet Event: No Indian player had ever gone this far in a Pot-Limit Omaha event at the WSOP.

The event was won by Germany’s rising star, Daniel Perkusic. In the heads-up play, he defeated Hong Kong’s Danny Tang to claim his first WSOP gold bracelet and a life-changing $2,100,325 payday. Tang finished as the runner-up, earning $1,400,217.

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3. Santhosh Suvarna’s Remarkable Run in Barcelona: Finishes Fifth in 2024 EPT Barcelona €100,000 EPT Super High Roller For €358,000 (~₹3.24 Crores)

Two months after his incredible showing at the 2024 WSOP, Suvarna was battling it out in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the European circuit: the €100,000 EPT Super High Roller at the EPT Barcelona. It was a gruelling three-day event that saw him finish in a respectable fifth place for €358,000 (~₹3.24 Crores).

Suvarna’s journey in this tournament was anything but straightforward. His first bullet didn’t go as planned, but he wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. A re-entry breathed new life into his campaign, and by the end of Day 1, he had chipped up to an above-average stack. Day 2 was where things got interesting. Suvarna quickly made his presence known, raking in pot after pot and even taking the chip lead at one point. But poker is a game of swings, and by the time the final six were seated on Day 3, Suvarna was second-to-last in chips.

The final table was an intense battle, with Suvarna managing a crucial double-up that gave him hope for a deeper run. However, the competition was fierce, and his stack eventually dwindled. He finished in fifth place, but not before adding another incredible payout to his already storied poker career.

This performance wasn’t an isolated success—Suvarna was a force throughout the celebrated 20th anniversary Barcelona festival. His fifth-place finish in the Super High Roller was his third cash and second final table appearance of the series, following deep runs in the €10,200 Mystery Bounty and the €12,300 PokerStars Cuatro Knockout. His total earnings for the festival reached an astounding €494,100 (~₹4.58 Crores), further solidifying his position at the top of India’s all-time money list.

The Super High Roller was won by Norway’s Kayhan Mokri, who achieved a rare feat by winning the event for the second consecutive year. His back-to-back victories in this €100,000 buy-in spectacle earned him €1,372,420 and cemented his status as one of the game’s elite. This victory also marked Mokri’s third EPT title, adding to his earlier win in Event #12: €20K NLHE. Seth Davies, fresh off a major win at the Super High Roller Bowl IX, finished as the runner-up, pocketing €895,000.

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4. Santhosh Suvarna Kicks Off 2024 in Style: Champions EPT Paris €25,000 NL Hold’em VI For €348,860 (~₹3.12 Crores)

Riding a wave of success from 2023, Santhosh Suvarna started 2024 with a bang by claiming his first-ever EPT title in the €25,000 NL Hold’em VI at the EPT Paris in February. He outlasted a field of 43 entries at the stunning Le Palais des Congrès to take home a whopping €348,860 (~₹3.12 Crores).

This triumph came after what he would likely describe as a slow start to the series. He had narrowly missed cashing in several earlier events, and even his 139th-place finish in the EPT Paris Main Event—worth €13,100 (~₹11.76 Lakhs)—felt like a near-miss rather than a breakthrough. But everything changed when the final €25,000 NL Hold’em event of the festival got underway.

Suvarna ended Day 1 as the chip leader among the 12 remaining players—a crucial advantage that he put to good use. He carried that momentum into the final day, where he battled it out against a tough field of seasoned pros. Suvarna remained composed throughout the ups and downs, eventually finding himself heads-up against Germany’s Samuel Ju. In a back-and-forth match that tested both skill and nerves, Suvarna emerged victorious. Ju finished as the runner-up, taking home €227,600.

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5. Santhosh Suvarna Works His Magic in Jeju: Finished 15th in Triton Poker SHRS Jeju Event #9: $150K NLH 8-Handed For $267,750 (~₹2.22 Crores)

Just weeks after his mighty run at EPT Paris, Santhosh Suvarna found himself back in the spotlight at the 2024 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Jeju. He tested the waters early by jumping into Event #2: $21,200 NLH – 8-Handed, and though he exited in 20th place, he still pocketed $48,500 (~₹40.17 Lakhs). That was merely a warm-up for what was to come.

In Event #9: $150K NLH 8-Handed, Suvarna made a deep push against some of the world’s most seasoned players. Each step forward boosted the tension, and every decision carried more weight. By the time his tournament run ended in 15th place, he had locked up $267,750 (~₹2.22 Crores), adding another outstanding result to his growing list of high-stakes achievements.

Elton Tsang won the event, claiming his first Triton title and a massive $4.21 Million payday. Biao Ding finished as the runner-up, earning $2.87 Million.

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Beyond the Top 5

Forget the top five; Santhosh Suvarna didn’t just claim the top live scores of 2024; he commandeered them. This wasn’t just a winning streak; it was a full-blown takeover. Suvarna’s dominance extended far beyond the top five, locking down an astounding eight of the top 10 live scores by Indian players throughout the year. In the high-stakes arena, there was Suvarna, and then there was everyone else. He wasn’t just playing the game; he was rewriting the rules.

6. Santhosh Suvarna’s Triton Poker Dominance Continues: Finishes 21st in 2024 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro $125K NLHE Main Event For $245,500 (~₹2.04 Crores)

Santhosh Suvarna had been on fire throughout 2024, and his name topping the list of poker’s most exciting players is no coincidence. As the only Indian to clinch a Triton title, Suvarna came swinging into the 2024 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Montenegro. Competing in the high-stakes $125K NLHE Main Event, he battled fiercely through a stacked field of poker heavyweights. Though his journey ended with a 21st-place finish, Suvarna walked away with a solid $245,500 (~₹2.04 Crores) payday.

While Suvarna added another impressive result to his name, Belarusian star Mikalai Vaskaboinikau stole the show, claiming the title and a jaw-dropping $4.73 Million first-place prize. Montenegro’s own Dejan Kaladjurdjevic also made waves, finishing second for a massive $3.2 Million.

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7. Santhosh Suvarna’s Close Call at the PGT: Runner-Up Finish in the 2024 Super High Roller Series Event #1 ($25,750 NLHE 8-Max) Bags Him $220,000 (~₹1.85 Crores)

Barely a month after lighting up the felt with his spectacular showing at the 2024 WSOP, Suvarna was back in action, this time at the 2024 PGT Super High Roller Series in North Cyprus. In the series opener, Event #1: $25,750 No-Limit Hold’em (8-Max), Suvarna came heartbreakingly close to capturing his first-ever PGT title.

With a brilliant mix of grit and skill, Suvarna stormed through the competition, proving once again why he’s an undeniable force, even against the best in the business. However, the final showdown saw him finishing second, pocketing a hefty $220,000 (~₹1.85 Crores) for his efforts.

The Czech Republic’s Roman Hrabec walked away with the ultimate bragging rights, claiming his first-ever PGT title along with the $316,000 top prize.

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8. Santhosh Suvarna Ends 2024 With a Blitz: Finishes 8th in 2024 WSOP Paradise Event #13: $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller For $209,420 (~₹1.78 Crores)

Suvarna’s rollercoaster ride at the 2024 WSOP Paradise was a story of grit, determination, and a touch of frustration. After starting the year strong, his performance at the December series seemed jinxed—time after time, the cards didn’t cooperate, and he found himself grinding through near-misses and early exits.

The turning point came in Event #9: $25,000 WSOP Super Main Event, where Suvarna finally cashed for $50,000 (~₹42.46 Lakhs). While not earth-shattering, it was the spark he needed to reignite his fire. With renewed focus, he dove into Event #13: $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller, determined to make his mark.

After a fierce run against some of the world’s best, Suvarna bowed out in eighth place, earning $209,420 (~₹1.78 Crores). It wasn’t the dream finish, but it was a powerful reminder of his resilience and ability to thrive under pressure—a performance that cemented his reputation as one of Indian poker’s finest.

Suvarna wasn’t done yet. He closed out the series with a fifth-place finish in Event #15: $5,000 The Closer NLHE Bounty Turbo, adding $50,800 (~₹43.21 Lakhs) to his winnings. Altogether, he walked away from the series with $310,220 (~₹2.64 Crores) in prize money.

The Event #13 title went to Tom Fuchs, who snagged a massive $1.292 Million, while Moonho Seo came second for $996,200.

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Honorable Mentions

While Santhosh Suvarna’s dominance in the top live scores of Indian poker in 2024 is undeniable, other Indian players also made significant strides on the international stage.

9. Nishant Sharma Completes Poker Dream Trifecta: Wins Poker Dream 11 Malaysia Main Event For MYR 930,800 (~₹1.76 Crores)

On November 24, the serene mountains of Genting Highlands, Malaysia, witnessed an unforgettable poker milestone as Nishant Sharma, the Mumbai-based pro, achieved an extraordinary feat. Sharma conquered the Poker Dream 11 Malaysia Main Event, walking away with a career-defining MYR 930,800 (~₹1.76 Crores) and his third Poker Dream Main Event title!

But what truly makes this moment legendary is the impossible-sounding fact: Sharma won three titles at the series in just six days, rewriting the record books and firmly cementing his place as a Poker Dream legend.

Sharma navigated through a fiercely competitive field in the MYR 5 Billion GTD Main Event, delivering a masterclass in skill, determination, and consistency. His overall performance during the series was nothing short of historic, amassing total winnings of MYR 1.285 Billion (~₹2.43 Crores) and soaring to #8 on India’s all-time money list.

Here’s a breakdown of Sharma’s jaw-dropping achievements at Poker Dream 11 Malaysia:

• Champion: Event #13: Main Event – MYR 930,800 (~₹1.76 Crores)
• Champion: Event #16: MYR 3,000 Mystery Bounty – MYR 250,500 (~₹49.13 Lakhs)
• Champion: Event #14: MYR 2,000 Pot Limit Omaha – MYR 23,200 (~₹4.35 Lakhs)
• 6th Place: Event #21: MYR 12,000 Single Day High Roller – MYR 79,000 (~₹14.94 Lakhs)
• 103rd Place: Event #1: MYR 1,000 Malaysia Open – MYR 1,500 (~₹66,000)

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10. Aditya Agarwal Ends a 17-Year Pursuit in Style: Wins 2024 WSOP Event #82: $1K No-Limit Hold ’em Freezeout For $189,661 (~₹1.58 Crores)

Every poker legend has a story, and Aditya Agarwal’s journey at the 2024 WSOP was iconic. After an unwavering 17-year chase, the Indian poker pioneer finally captured his elusive WSOP gold bracelet, taking down Event #82: $1,000 No-Limit Hold ’em Freezeout for a remarkable $189,661 (~₹1.58 Crores)—his third-largest live score ever.

Agarwal, often hailed as the ‘OG PokerGuru,’ has been the face of Indian poker for decades. Grinding at the WSOP year after year, he came heartbreakingly close several times. But July 7 marked the turning point of his career and a landmark moment for the Indian poker scene.

The path to victory wasn’t easy. Agarwal outlasted a packed field of 1,424 entrants, starting the final table as an underdog with the seventh-shortest chip stack. But his resilience and strategic brilliance shone through. A pivotal double-up against Jesse Wigan sparked his ascent, and from there, Agarwal was unstoppable.

One by one, he eliminated his final table rivals: Robert Macri, Tengqi Zhan, Alexander Holtz, and finally, Wigan, setting the stage for an intense heads-up showdown against Augusto Hagen. With an intimidating 8:1 chip lead, Agarwal seemed destined for victory, but heads-up matches are never predictable—especially given Agarwal’s historically tough luck in such spots.

The final hand was steeped in drama, even going to review for a possible misdeal. Yet, the result was undeniable: Aditya Agarwal emerged victorious, leaving Hagen to claim a respectable runner-up prize of $126,424.

The celebration was electric. Overcome with emotion, Agarwal leapt from his seat to embrace his ecstatic rail. The roar of his supporters reverberated through the poker room, a moment of sheer joy for the man who has been the backbone of Indian poker’s rise.

Read the report here

We can’t wait to roll out more year-end features that highlight every ground-breaking leap the Indian poker industry made in 2024. Stick around—there’s plenty more excitement to come!