Like always, we are back with another motivating story after a blockbuster Sunday. The player in focus in this week’s #MondayMotivation feature is Rubin Labroo, the winner of Spartan Poker’s IOPC#90 – Sunday Prime for ₹8.19 Lakhs!

Labroo is no stranger to tournament success. The 33-year-old MTT pro from New Delhi has been playing poker for almost 14 years. He started his poker journey while pursuing his B.Tech studies at Manipal University. The college has a thriving poker culture, and that’s where some of his friends introduced him to the game.

He started out playing play money games on Zynga and some small buy-in home games with friends. It was not long before he realized that he had a knack for the game and found himself doing better than most others and quickly worked up a decent bankroll.

Not too interested in engineering, Labroo dropped out of college midway and decided to start working – first as a store manager for a friend’s company in Chennai before quitting to head back to Delhi. During this time, Labroo found himself working at different jobs; however, none lasted for any considerable amount of time.

The only constant at this point in his life was poker, and finally, in 2016-17, he decided to pursue the game professionally.

Soon after turning professional, Labroo tasted success when he shipped his first live event in Goa, the DPT ₹15K Kickoff for ₹6.80 lakhs. Returning to his online routine following the live win, Labroo began showing consistent results in the various online events. He got his big break in June 2018, when he shipped PokerBaazi’s PPL Main Event for an incredible ₹35.41 Lakhs.

In early 2020, Labroo earned another breakout title, winning the India Poker Championship Main Event for a whopping ₹61.80 Lakhs and was named the 2020 India Poker Champion. This win further affirmed Labroo’s MTT prowess.

Labroo’s poker journey stands proof that hard work coupled with making good, strategic decisions, over and over and over again, will take you all the way to the top.

Talking about his winning mantra, he shares with us, “To come across such a magnificent win in the skill game of poker, one should work hard and have a lot of dedication towards the sport. I had been really focused and in the zone throughout the series. Most of the time, when I had busted was because of my own mistakes. This time I made a conscious effort to not make them. Play your A-game and stop worrying about beats. Results will come sooner or later.”

Sharing his advice for upcoming players, Labroo adds, “For new people trying the game out, my advice is to strictly manage your bankroll.”

Talking about poker friends he has spent time studying with, Labroo names tops regs Sahil Mahoobani, Young Gun Ujjwal Narwal & TLB crusher Neeraj Kumar. Driving across the point that you need to surround yourself with like-minded and intelligent people to succeed.

To conclude, he says, “I would like to say that poker isn’t easy. It takes a lot of effort and commitment and often requires you to put everything else aside. But that’s the dynamic of the game and of the profession. We knew that when we started off, and as every good player will tell you – volume is key. If results are what you are looking for, then keep learning, keep experimenting, and most of all, enjoy your time on the felts!”

Congratulations, Rubin Labroo, on another great win. Keep winning and inspiring others!