Young Gun of Poker – Abhishek Sonu

We’re back after a hiatus, delving once again into the flourishing landscape of domestic poker in search of emerging talents! Rekindling our Young Gun series, we’re delighted to introduce our candidate, Abhishek Sonu!

Boasting an impressive ₹3.18 Crores in online winnings, translating into ₹76.53 Lakhs in profits, Sonu stands out as one of the most promising stars illuminating the virtual poker world. Intriguingly, 2023 has already been a fruitful year for him, with amassed winnings of over ₹2.18 Crores.

Hailing from Patna and now residing in Bengaluru, the 24-year-old discovered poker in 2019. Initially, he dabbled in the strategic game for amusement amidst his corporate commitments. However, by 2020, he embraced poker as his primary vocation.

Although this B.Com graduate once dreamt of making it big in cricket, destiny had other plans. Undeterred, he channels the same fervor and zeal onto the poker felts as he once did on the cricket pitch!

With his jovial and gregarious nature, Sonu is a familiar face in the local online poker community. In a conversation with Saumya Paithanker, he delves into his recent stellar performances, unwavering consistency, daily poker grind, and the secret sauce behind his poker success.

Watch the full interview below:

Introduction to Poker

Destiny played its part in introducing Sonu to poker. Interestingly, he had never played cards before and was unsure about the basic poker concepts, such as whether an Ace ranked higher than a King. While working for a holiday company in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, a trip to Mumbai led him to a friend who introduced him to another individual who mentioned poker. Curious, he inquired if one could earn money from the game.

Despite his initial skepticism about online companies disbursing winnings, a conversation with his brother brought up Dan Bilzerian, often recognized by those unfamiliar with poker. His subsequent research on YouTube, where he observed celebrities like Ronaldo and Neymar partake in poker, convinced him of the game’s legitimacy.

Since real-money games were prohibited in Gujarat and he was hesitant about online investments, he began with a play money poker app called Poker Championship. Being sociable, he often interacted with international players on the platform, even engaging in Snapchat calls. This virtual camaraderie deepened his interest in poker.

Turning to Poker Full-Time

Upon relocating to Bengaluru for a job, he soon realized his dissatisfaction with his work. Gradually, he began participating in tournaments with modest buy-ins like ₹100-₹150, methodically building his bankroll.

Considering a break from his job to pursue poker, Sonu consulted his elder brother. Though he was ready to return to work if poker didn’t pan out, his initial attempt was short-lived. After earning a month’s salary, he dived into poker and scored a significant win at the Uppercut [6-Max] MAGIC Edition on PokerStars India. However, financial challenges pushed him to work briefly again. When he returned to poker, he found success. He lacked guidance and learned mainly from Evan Jarvis‘s YouTube videos (Gripsed Poker Training). Sonu noted that new poker players now benefit from enhanced networking options like Discord and Instagram.

A Phenomenal 2023 & Maintaining Consistency

When asked how he feels about his run this year, Sonu said, “Talking about the run this year, everything was nice about it for a couple of months. If you actually look into it, I had a downswing, also. But it’s all about following the process. So if it works fine, it works fine.”

He shared how winning PokerBaazi’s ₹1 Crore GTD 1000X#32 Main Event on June 11, with a career-high win of ₹12.96 Lakhs, felt like a weight being lifted from his shoulders, especially since he hadn’t secured a Main Event victory in three years.

Sonu’s consistency stems from his singular aim to win, regardless of the buy-in or top prize. Rather than being swayed by potential earnings, he prioritizes playing each game on its merit. Even after the 1000X Main Event win, he felt the same joy as a smaller ₹30,000 victory, showing that the prize’s size doesn’t change its value for him.

Although the prize money doesn’t hold paramount importance for Sonu, he has a soft spot for accolades! As a former cricketer, he cherishes the prestige of receiving trophies. While they might not be ‘Man of the Match’ honors, poker medals and trophies evoke the same pride and appreciation for him.

Advice for Aspiring Poker Players

When asked about his advice to poker newcomers, Sonu shared that he first tries to gauge their background. For those with stable jobs and limited financial risk tolerance, he underscores the potential for downswings in poker and the patience required for the long haul.

Sonu emphasizes that poker isn’t about instant success; one can’t expect to win a ₹1 Crore GTD tournament immediately. He advises them to consider poker if they have a risk-taking mindset. However, for those content with their current lives, Sonu suggests they engage in poker recreationally, choosing cash tables or tournaments that suit their schedule.

He further mentioned that being the sole poker player in his circle, many approach him for lessons. His response is to provide them with 15 instructional poker videos, adding that he’d be happy to teach if they manage to watch them all. Yet, most never return, highlighting the game’s demand for patience.

With those wise words, Abhishek Sonu signs off!