Prodigies from Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities Shine in Jio Cinema's New Reality Series Around a Mindsport

The Poker Masterclass hosted on Jio Cinema has brought together a group of exceptional poker players from tier 2 and tier 3 cities across India. These players come from diverse backgrounds and regions, showcasing remarkable skills, strategies, intellect, and expertise.

The reality series was recently added to Jio Cinema’s exciting lineup of content and immediately garnered attention for its refreshing take on reality shows, emphasizing both learning and entertainment.

The series has demonstrated that talent and passion for a mind sport like poker know no boundaries. It has displayed a range of emotions and highlighted players making waves in the Indian poker circuit.

The series features players from different corners of India, focused on making a mark in the poker community both in India and globally. Here are some of the players who are part of the series, inspiring everyone with their stories and personalities and helping to make India known in the international poker ecosystem.

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Prodigies from Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities Take Center Stage in Jio Cinema's New Reality Series

After delivering a thrilling performance in the Poker Masterclass, Shubham Upadhyay, a 25-year-old tech evangelist, has been receiving praise from his hometown, Bhiwani, Haryana, as well as from across the country.

He was selected to represent Abhishek Goindi's Shark Squad, and during the camp, he diligently worked on honing his talent and delivered a thrilling performance layered with strategy and an in-depth understanding of the game and his opponents.

A graduate from SRM, Upadhyay recalled his first introduction to the game during home games, which intrigued him to learn more about the mind sport. The nuances and complexities of poker attracted him to further improve his technical understanding of the game.

Shubham Upadhyay (image via PokerBaazi || Jio Cinema)

Another inspiring story is that of Ramu Kushwaha, a man from a humble background who used to operate a food truck in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. After COVID-19 impacted his business, he sought financial support through poker. The 29-year-old had responsibilities, but his dedication and perseverance led him to achieve success in poker tournaments.

He represents Vinod Megalmani’s team, and the two are often seen communicating interestingly, with one being less fluent in English and the other in Hindi. These exchanges clearly demonstrate that poker is not a sport confined to specific languages but a phenomenon that transcends them.

Ramu Kushwaha (image via PokerBaazi || Jio Cinema)

Not all stories start from home; some begin in an ice cream parlor. This marks the defining moment of Daniyal’s poker journey. Daniyal firmly believes that poker is a game of skill. He recalls how his brother shared his understanding of poker on a paper napkin, something Daniyal still carries and holds close to his heart.

Daniyal is a 27-year-old engineer from Bokaro, Jharkhand, who is currently working in Noida. He was chosen to represent Shravan Chhabria’s Crushers in the series, where he is seen exuding a calm demeanor that empowered him to make strategic decisions at the poker table, resulting in a thrilling performance.

Daniyal (image via PokerBaazi || Jio Cinema)

The beauty of poker is that, while it requires constant knowledge and effort, it is also a game that keeps on giving and teaching lessons that transcend beyond the poker table.

This is evident in Jyotindra Dubey’s story. Selected for Kanishka Samant’s Anti-Tilters, Jyotindra's tactful play and calm demeanor gradually made him a viewer favorite and established him as one of the emerging players destined to represent India in international poker tournaments.

Jyotindra Dubey (image via PokerBaazi || Jio Cinema)

Another player who became a viewer favorite is Ritesh Khatwani, a 31-year-old stock market expert from Jaipur. In his reality TV debut, Ritesh was selected to represent Vinod Megalmani’s Pocket Rockets. In one of the episodes, he mentioned that he plays 6-8 hours, 3-4 times a week.

He then goes back to the drawing board and analyzes his gameplay, a habit he developed from studying market trends over the years. With the experience and insights gained from the Poker Masterclass, Ritesh is confident about participating in prominent national and international tournaments, including the upcoming G.O.A.T, India’s single biggest poker tournament, starting on October 1, 2024.

Ritesh Khatwani (image via PokerBaazi || Jio Cinema)

This unique series, shot in a game show format over five days, offers an unprecedented learning experience. It follows players as they compete in various poker games and activities, highlighting the strategic learning and skill development inherent in poker.

The show also captures the emotional highs and lows of the game, providing viewers with both entertainment and insight into the world of poker. JioCinema, India’s leading OTT platform, has partnered with PokerBaazi, the country’s biggest poker platform, to release a six-part reality TV series, "Poker Masterclass."

Four renowned poker experts lead teams in this series, sharing their expertise to help players hone their skills while fostering connections within the growing Indian poker community. Abhishek Goindi heads the Shark Squad, Kanishka Samant takes charge of the Anti-Tilters, Vinod Megalmani captains the Pocket Rockets, and Shravan Chhabria leads the Crushers.

Each day is packed with engaging poker games and valuable learning sessions, ensuring participants not only elevate their gameplay but also leave with memorable experiences and stronger ties to the community.

You too can watch Poker Masterclass which is currently streaming on Jio Cinema.