Indian poker players Kunal Patni and Paawan Bansal emerged victorious in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #68, pocketing ₹2 crore and ₹66 lakh, respectively.
In the heart of Las Vegas, the 56th World Series of Poker (WSOP) is currently underway, attracting elite and rising poker talent from around the globe. Among the participants are Indian poker pros Kunal Patni and Paawan Bansal, who have made a significant mark in the poker world, covered extensively by author Roy D'Silva.
The WSOP 2025, running from 27th May to 16th July at Horseshoe & Paris Las Vegas, features an impressive 100 live bracelet events. Among these, Event #59, with over 2,000 entries and a buy-in of $3,000, showcased a strong Indian presence, with Zarvan Tumboli figuring in the ITM (in the money). However, as of July 7, 2025, the final table positions of Kunal Patni and Paawan Bansal at this event remain undocumented in the available records.
Despite this, the duo has already made history by advancing to the final tables of a WSOP event, a significant achievement for Indian poker players. Kunal Patni, who was the chip leader on day 2 of the event, and Paawan Bansal, who have both demonstrated their poker prowess, are now in contention for the coveted WSOP bracelet.
In a separate event, Event #68, Kunal Patni and Paawan Bansal secured impressive wins, with Kunal taking home $224,833 and Paawan pocketing $77,760. Meanwhile, Yilong Wang emerged victorious in Event #68, claiming a substantial prize of $830,685.
The WSOP bracelet is a prestigious prize in poker, and both Kunal and Paawan are now one step closer to adding their names to the illustrious list of WSOP champions. This is one of the first times that not one but two Indians are in the Final Table of a WSOP event, a testament to the growing strength of Indian poker players on the global stage.
India has a rich history in poker, with poker legend Santhosh Suvarna having two WSOP bracelets to his name. As the WSOP 2025 continues, it will be exciting to see if Kunal and Paawan can add to this legacy and bring home the coveted WSOP bracelet. Roy D'Silva, who has covered various beats, including Bollywood, OTT, and now poker, is eager to be right in the thick of the action, documenting this historic journey for poker enthusiasts worldwide.
The WSOP 2025 has witnessed Kunal Patni and Paawan Bansal, two Indian poker pros, making it to the final tables of a WSOP event, a significant milestone in the sports arena for Indian players. In a separate sports event, Kunal secured a substantial win, while both Kunal and Paawan are now in contention for the prestigious WSOP bracelet, a potential addition to the list of WSOP champions that includes India's poker legend, Santhosh Suvarna.
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