VPT Championship 2025: Nishant Sharma Takes Down Single-Day High Roller (₹15.59 Lakhs), Amit Kaushik Cracks Main Event Final Table (₹19.57 Lakhs)

The first-ever Vietnam Poker Tour (VPT) Championship 2025 wrapped up at the stunning Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc’s beautiful Pearl Island this past Sunday. Held from April 5 to 13, this nine-day festival featured a jam-packed schedule of 38 events backed by a massive VN₫ 35 Billion (~$1.40 Million) guarantee – and the action didn’t disappoint.

It’s no secret that Vietnam has become a favourite playground for Indian poker players! The great weather, easy travel (visa on arrival!), and lively poker scene make it a top destination for the ‘desi pros.’ So, seeing a big Indian contingent turn up for this first VPT stop wasn’t a surprise, and they certainly delivered the goods.

The final tally showed at least 40 cash finishes for the Indian contingent, including three players hoisting trophies, four second-place results, and another nine final table appearances. It’s another sign of India’s growing strength on the Vietnamese poker circuit!

Nishant Sharma Grabs India’s Third Title of the Festival

After Deepak Bothra and Kunal Patni kicked things off with wins earlier in the series, Nishant Sharma (cover image – left) bagged the third trophy for India. Sharma, who famously holds a record three Poker Dream Main Event titles, took down Event #30: VN₫ 33 Million Single Day High Roller 8-Max. He worked his way through a 52-entry field to grab the VN₫ 470.40 Million (~₹15.59 Lakhs) top prize, bagging his first win of 2025 and the ninth live trophy of his career. Vietnam’s Manh Hao Nguyen played well for second place, earning VN₫ 317.80 Million.

Sharma added another deep run to his series results, finishing 16th in Event #27: VN₫ 44 Million Championship for VN₫ 172.90 Million (~₹5.73 Lakhs). His combined results from these two scores resulted in a series total of VN₫ 643.30 Million (~₹21.32 Lakhs).

Main Event Mayhem – Zhang Takes the Crown; Amit Kaushik Fights to 6th

The main attraction, the VN₫ 25 Million buy-in Main Event, drew an enormous crowd of 983 entries. This huge turnout blew the VN₫ 15 Billion guarantee out of the water, swelling the prize pool to a scorching VN₫ 21.454 Billion (~$860,000).

China’s Yan Kai Zhang mastered this large and competitive field. Putting on a near-flawless final table performance, Zhang played sharp poker to lock up the Main Event title and the lion’s share of the prize money – a massive VN₫ 3.72 Billion. He started the final table second in chips and expertly worked his way to the top!

Incredibly, Zhang had already tasted victory earlier in the series, winning Event #18: Hyper Turbo High Roller for VN₫ 75 Million ($2,910), making for a spectacular showing overall!

The heads-up clash saw Zhang face Vietnam’s Do Tien Vu. Although the stacks were somewhat close when they started – Zhang with 23 Million to Vu’s 17 Million – Zhang kept control throughout. Vu earned a fantastic runner-up finish, worth a hefty VN₫ 2.337 Billion (~₹78.37 Lakhs).

Kurukshetra’s Amit Kaushik carried the torch for India at the Main Event final table. The experienced tournament regular and 2023 People`s Poker Championship finalist battled hard, finishing in a commendable sixth place for VN₫ 585.60 Million (~₹19.57 Lakhs).

Kaushik, a well-travelled grinder with numerous deep runs across Southeast Asia, also made the final table of Event #23: Single Day High Roller 8-Max earlier in the series, coincidentally finishing sixth there too for VN₫ 92.50 Million (~₹3.09 Lakhs). Adding these two scores together, Kaushik’s series earnings tallied up to a healthy VN₫ 678.10 Million (~₹22.67 Lakhs).

He wasn’t the only Indian player finding success in the Main Event. Eight others made the money: Anuj Wadhwa (14th for VN₫ 237.20 Million ~₹7.93 Lakhs), Rising Star Aman Parakh (28th for VN₫ 109.40 Million ~₹3.66 Lakhs), Ranjeet Negi (31st for VN₫ 109.40 Million ~₹3.66 Lakhs), Sanjay Khanna (37th for VN₫ 97.10 Million ~₹3.25 Lakhs), Bhavik Khatsuria (49th for VN₫ 87.50 Million ~₹2.92 Lakhs), Vishal Ojha (61st for VN₫ 78.90 Million ~₹2.64 Lakhs), Alaparthy Prasad (69th for VN₫ 71.40 Million ~₹2.39 Lakhs), and Kunal Patni (72nd for VN₫ 71.40 Million ~₹2.39 Lakhs), who had already won the Megastack High Roller.

Final Table Results (Vietnamese Dong)

1. Yan Kai Zhang – VN₫ 3,720,375,000
2. Do Tien Vu – VN₫ 2,337,000,000
3. David Erquiaga – VN₫ 1,532,500,000
4. Xin Yuan – VN₫ 1,052,600,000
5. Tien Thanh Pham – VN₫ 740,100,000
6. Amit Kaushik – VN₫ 585,600,000
7. Kinh Huyen Nguyen – VN₫ 484,800,000
8. Van Khoa Hoang – VN₫ 403,500,000
9. Duc Dong Dang – VN₫ 337,900,000

Series Standouts: Patni & Bothra Add to India’s Trophy Case

Two other major highlights for India came from respected veterans Kunal Patni and Deepak Bothra. Both walked away with titles and were among the biggest Indian earners at the festival.

Kunal Patni: The Hot Streak Blazes On

Natural8 India’s Executive Director & Ambassador, Kunal Patni, is having an incredible 2025, and he brought that momentum to Phu Quoc. He put on a commanding show in Event #15: VN₫ 44 Million Megastack High Roller 8-Max. Up against a tough 94-entry field, Patni battled his way through, eventually making a heads-up deal to lock up the win and VN₫ 850 Million (~₹28.36 Lakhs). This was his third live title this year alone, showing exactly why he’s known as one of the most consistent players on the Asian circuit.

But Patni’s run included more than just the win. He added three more cashes during the series, bringing his total earnings to VN₫ 1.06 Billion (~₹35.35 Lakhs). These results made him the festival’s top Indian earner, adding to his chase for the #8 spot on India’s all-time money list, interestingly held by Nishant Sharma, who also grabbed a title here.

Deepak Bothra: A Welcome Return to the Top

While Patni was adding to his already extensive list of accomplishments, Deepak Bothra scripted a fantastic comeback story. The long-time pro emphatically snapped a seven-and-a-half-year title drought by winning Event #5: VN₫ 33 Million Single Day High Roller 8-Max. Bothra outlasted 68 opponents to capture his third career live title and the VN₫ 562.30 Million (~₹18.62 Lakhs) first prize – his second-biggest live cash ever.

Bothra also displayed consistency throughout the series, matching Patni with four cash finishes. His combined earnings reached VN₫ 813.60 Million (~₹26.96 Lakhs), making him the second-highest Indian earner at this inaugural VPT Championship and completing a highly successful return to peak form.

Team India Scorecard at VPT Championship

VPT Championship Title Winners

Content & Images Courtesy: Vietnam Poker Tour & Vietnam Poker News