Monday Motivation With Shailesh Patel – The First PokerGuru Challenge Winner

Monday Motivation With Shailesh Patel
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  • Attreyee Khasnabis November 28, 2022

On October 29, we rolled out our brand-new PokerGuru Challenge. And nearly three weeks later, on November 16, we found our first winner in Shailesh Patel (cover image)!

For those unaware, the task for our first PokerGuru Challenge (open till November 30) was to win any Pocket52 primetime tournament. To qualify, you must receive an invitation from us and need to formally accept the invitation by filling up a google form.

Just a day after accepting the challenge, 25-year-old Patel took down Pocket52’s Pocket Jacks for ₹66,850, winning himself a PokerGuru Pass with tickets to all the primetime tournaments on Pocket52 for the next seven days for a shot at chasing tournament guarantees worth ₹44 Lakhs.

Want to hear another exciting fact? Patel was the first player to win the “Star of the Month” title two years ago! When we had last spoken to him, the Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh-based player had completed his B.Sc. degree in Geology from Holkar Science College and was preparing to take the State Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations.

Now, two years later, Patel has ₹12.89 Lakhs in tracked online winnings (₹4.30 Lakhs in corresponding profits) and several online titles, including big guaranteed tourneys such as Adda52’s The Mint and PokerStars India’s Big Bubble Rush. However, shipping Pocket52’s Pocket Jacks got him the bragging right of becoming the first-ever PokerGuru Challenge winner!

Shailesh Patel - Total Profit Graph

 

PokerGuru caught up with Shailesh Patel in a candid tête-à-tête chat, with Patel talking about his experience of participating in the PokerGuru Challenge and playing on Pocket52 as well as his short-term poker plans.

 

You were our first Star of the Month in 2020, and what are the odds that you won the first-ever PokerGuru Challenge too? How does it feel to win the challenge after just two days of accepting it?

I must say the chances of me being the first player in both instances are close to nill as I wasn’t grinding that much on Indian sites. I felt overwhelmed when I achieved this in a matter of just two days after accepting the challenge. Winning a tourney itself is a significant accomplishment, but it feels too good when it comes with additional rewards.

 

Since you won the PokerGuru Pass consisting of tickets to the daily flagships for a week on Pocket52, did you run deep in any of these events? Tell us about that.

I did have three deep runs after the win. I came very close to winning more tickets when I FT-ed the Saturday flagship (Pocket Queens). Eventually, I finished third. I finished ninth in the Tuesday flagship (Pocket Tanks) as well.

 

What are your views on PokerGuru Challenge and how it has been designed to motivate and reward consistent winners?

It’s a good challenge and is undoubtedly a +ev for every regular grinder. Rewarding a skillful and consistent player is always good for the game.

 

How was your experience playing on Pocket52?

Pocket52 has a soft player pool which is suitable for mid-stake grinders. Their client seems clean and organized. The support system is also sound. Withdrawals are hassle-free, and most importantly, their hand history replayer works which help in reviewing play at a later time.

 

When we spoke last, you were preparing for higher studies after your B.Sc. degree in Geology. Tell us about that and what you are up to these days.

Yes, I prepared for PSC exams after my degree, but now I am solely focused on poker.

Shailesh Patel
Shailesh Patel

 

We know you took a break from domestic sites and have recently resumed playing on Indian sites. How have things changed in the last two years?

The last two years were mainly a roller coaster ride with family and some other stuff. Poker-wise, I was struggling a lot. I was broke for quite some time too. Grinding on foreign sites provides a better look at range vs. range play. Indian field is totally different. But now I am trying to put equal effort into both domains.

 

You have been crushing it off late with a series of remarkable wins, including the first-ever PokerGuru Challenge after winning Pocket52’s Pocket Jacks, The Mint, and Friday Bounty titles, along with a slew of final table finishes. How are you working on improving your game?

I am constantly working on my game. Reviewing my hands regularly in Gtowizard is an excellent way to set a tone for upcoming sessions. I am trying to get to advanced stuff as soon as possible.

 

Most players have a poker circle where they discuss hands and strategies. Can you tell us about yours?

I don’t have many friends to discuss my play with, but I am in a discord group with almost 250 players. The group constantly reviews their play, shares their view on one’s play, and post difficult spot more often. So I occasionally put my hands there and discuss the different opinions on my play and what the solver thinks.

 

Are they any poker players you follow closely or draw inspiration from?

I am a huge fan of Siddant Kriplani, Arsh Grover and Kartik Ved. And also the german duo of Fedor (Holz) and Bencb (Ben Rolle).

 

What do you hope to achieve as far as poker is concerned?

I am going to pursue poker professionally. For the past six months, I have been ALL-IN with poker. I want to be a pro, so I have worked hard on my game. I am currently looking for a private coach/mentor so that he can boost my progress and help me in achieving my poker dream.

 

Lastly, would you recommend the PokerGuru Challenge to other players, and what would your message be to players who might want to try it?

I highly and gladly recommend this challenge to other poker players. This is a one-of-a-kind freeroll for the players with decent rewards. Soft fields like Pocket52 require more patience and table awareness, so I advise playing cautiously. And don’t try to bluff ‘MrShailesh’ on the tables.

 

With those words, Shailesh Patel signs off!

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