Top Indian Female Poker Players

Introduction

If you are a fan of Poker, you won’t miss this opportunity to learn about those Indian women breaking societal stereotypes to pursue their passion for the game.

In this article, we will spotlight the incredible careers and achievements of top female Indian Poker players!

Let’s take a look!

Most Popular Female Poker Players in India

Nikita Luther

Nikita Luther, from Delhi, is a legendary figure in the game. She began her Poker journey in 2015 with low-stakes online games. In 2018, she made history by winning at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tag Team Event, becoming the first Indian woman to secure a WSOP bracelet. She is also a co-founder of the Indian Poker League (IPL), which promotes poker as a sport in India.

Career Highlights:

• Ranked 18th on India’s all-time money list with $535,582 in earnings.
• Achieved notable finishes in the 2021 WSOP Tag Team Event (15th position, won $2,288), the 2019 WSOP Bracelet Winners Only Event (13th position, won $3,584), and the 2018 $3,000 No Limit Hold’em Event (17th position, won $18,495).
• Participated in the Poker reality show ‘Game of Gold’ in November 2023.
• Regularly competes in international tournaments, representing India on the global stage.

Muskan Sethi

Muskan Sethi is a prominent face in Indian Poker, frequently appearing in media interviews and poker-related shows.  She began playing online games at a young age, honing her skills against friends and family. She has achieved massive success in both live and online tournaments. In 2017, she was honoured by the President of India, becoming the first female poker player to receive such recognition.

Beyond her achievements on the Poker table, Muskan is known for her philanthropic efforts. She often uses her winnings to support various social causes, showcasing her commitment to giving back to the community.

Career Highlights:

• Ranked 86th on India’s all-time money list with $1126,317 in earnings.
• Secured a 5th place finish in the DPT February high roller in Goa.
• Recognized as one of the Top 100 Women Achievers of India by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Minissha Lamba

Minissha Lamba is a renowned Indian actress who has made a name for herself in the Poker world. Her passion for the game has led her to participate in numerous live and online tournaments, where she has showcased her exceptional skills. Minissha often shares her Poker journey and strategies through social media, engaging with her fans and the Poker community. Her insights and experiences provide valuable learning for newcomers to the game.

Career Highlights:

• Ranked 123rd on India’s all-time money list with $92,293 in earnings.
• A 2nd place finish in the DPT Colossus 50K warm-up and a 3rd place finish in the DPT Colossus super high roller.

Maria Kirloskar

Kirloskar’s journey into Poker began during a business trip to the US in 2006. While watching the game on ESPN, she was captivated by the intense focus of the players. This newfound interest deepened when she started playing on Facebook, which led her to organize home games with friends. 

Her growing passion for the game prompted her to consider it a professional career. Her serious engagement began with tournaments in Goa, where she improved her skills. 2015, she participated in every Indian Poker Championship (IPC) event. She secured multiple entries into IPC tournaments through satellite wins on several online platforms.

Career Highlights:

• Finished at 11th place 10k 'Freezeout' IPC event, earning Rs. 44,000.
• By 2021, Maria ventured into Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments. She dedicates around 30 hours weekly to playing and continuously improving her game.
• 2018 Maria Kirloskar expanded her influence in the Poker world by launching a mental game coaching service. Her coaching focuses on enhancing players' psychological approaches to achieve peak performance. To date, Maria has mentored over 60 players across various formats.
• As an Adda52 Game Ambassador, Maria is committed to furthering the growth of the poker community in India.
• Ranked 433rd on India’s all-time money list with $15,726 in total earnings.

Pratibha Arya

Pratibha Arya, a computer science engineer, embarked on her Poker journey in June 2017. During her final college year, she joined ‘Poker Stable’ — a community focused on training aspiring players. Recognizing the need for full-time dedication to master the game, Pratibha left her software developer role at Adobe Systems to pursue poker professionally. Starting small, she swiftly advanced through the stakes and now competes at the highest levels in India.

Pratibha Arya's Poker career began with a prize-winning performance at a 2015 tournament in Goa. Since then, she has dedicated herself to improving her skills by studying professional strategies and practising rigorously. Her commitment has paid off with big achievements on the global stage, including competing in the Poker Nations Cup and the IFMO Asian Nations Cup.

Career Highlights:

• Winning the World Poker Tour (WPT) 6-Max India Poker Championship in 2020 held on Adda52.
• Achieved third place in the National Poker Series (NPS).
• High placements in events like the 75L Mega Millions Finale and The Millionaire.
• Ranked 594th on India’s all-time money list with $9,167 in earnings.
• Appointed as Adda52’s game ambassador. 

Shuchi Chamaria

Despite being relatively new to the competitive poker circuit, Shuchi Chamaria has already demonstrated great promise with consistent and impressive performances. She holds a degree in finance, which she credits for her analytical approach to poker.

Career Highlights:

• Consistently performs well in national tournaments.
• Recognized as an emerging talent in the Indian poker community.
• Ranked 289th on India’s all-time money list with $29,586 in earnings.

Kanchan Sharma

Kanchan Sharma, originally an instructional designer, was introduced to Poker by a friend in 2017. At the time, she worked in a profession she had been in for four years after completing her Bachelor’s in Commerce from the University of Delhi. Hailing from Agra, Kanchan was captivated by poker, which led her to leave her established career and pursue poker full-time. Initially unfamiliar with poker, Kanchan spent 6 to 7 months studying and understanding the game during her free time. Her hard work paid off, and she is doing quite well on the online and offline levels these days.

Career Highlights:

• Made her mark in live poker, scoring INR 1.01 lakhs at the Baazi Poker Tour in 2019.
• Ranked 150th on India’s all-time money list with $72,726 in earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first Indian woman to win a WSOP bracelet?

Nikita Luther was the first Indian woman to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. 2018, she achieved this historic milestone by winning the $1,000 NLH Tag Team Event at the WSOP.

Which Indian female poker player received recognition from the President of India?

In 2018, Muskan Sethi became the first female Poker player to receive acclaim from the President of India. This prominent award ceremony acknowledged her accomplishments in poker and her vital role in improving the game.

What are some major achievements of Indian female Poker players?

The success of Indian women in Poker at global tournaments is evident through accomplishments such as Nikita Luther's triumph with a WSOP bracelet, Muskan Sethi's participation in worldwide competitions and Pratibha Arya's excelling at the World Poker Tour (WPT) 6-Max India Poker Championship.

Conclusion

By excelling at the game tables, these women have dismantled misconceptions surrounding Poker and motivated more women to try their hand at the game. As shining examples for aspiring female players everywhere, they prove that no matter one's gender or background, anyone can enjoy success in this universally accessible game.