PokerGuru’s Guide to Poker In India

Poker in India
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  • PG News March 8, 2012
  • 4 Minutes Read

Since 2010 the popularity of poker in India has been on the rise. There are three states in India where Texas Hold’em can be played legally: Goa, Sikkim and Daman. In the latter however the casino is still under construction. The heart of the poker scene in India is Panjim, Goa, where live poker games are offered in offshore casinos. Three of these floating casinos, moored on the Mandovi river, offer poker: Casino Royale, Casino Carnival and Casino Pride. Cash games range from 50/50 to stakes as high as 2000/4000 and there is a poker tournament series virtually every two weeks, with buy-ins ranging from ₹5,000 Freeze-outs to ₹50,000 6-max High Roller tournaments.

 

Getting to Goa

Travelling to Goa can be done by train, bus, car or airplane. Bus and train stop in Madgaon which is 30-45 minutes from Panjim, just as the Dabolim airport.

To get aboard one of the floating casinos one needs to go to their respective pickup points located along the Panjim jetty, just tell your cab driver which casino you want to board. Once you’ve checked in (poker players can get the entry fee for the casino waived), a feeder boat will take you upriver and transfer you to the casino ship.

 

Entry fee & Rake

All three casinos where poker can be played charge an entry fee between ₹1500-3500. Poker players however can get entry to the casino without paying the fee and we recommend contacting the card room staff to get your name put on the list for free boarding (See the contact details for each card room mentioned below)

The rake in the cash games played aboard the floating casinos is 5% on 100/200, 4% on 200/500 and 3% on 500/1000 and above, with a cap of ₹5000 per pot (sometimes lower).

Tournament rake is usually 10% of the buy-in.

 

Where to Play Poker in India

Casino Royale Poker Room – Goa

Casino Royale is the most popular casino in Goa and venue of the PokerGuru Tour. On weekdays there are 1-3 cash game tables running with 3-5 during the weekends. During tournaments the full poker room is used and cash games open as players get eliminated. The games offered are No-Limit Texas Hold’em at 100/200, 200/500, 500/1000 and 2000/5000. Sometimes, when there are enough players, Pot Limit Omaha is also played in the Casino Royale Poker Room.

Address: Barcolento Jetty, Panaji, Goa
Boarding point #: +91-0832 6519471
Poker Room Manager: Craig Wildman
Poker #: +91-90110 13514
Website: www.casinoroyalegoa.com

 

Sol Poker Room (Casino Pride) – Goa

In the early days of poker in Goa, Casino Pride used to be the destination for poker enthusiast before the larger Royale poker room opened. Recently the poker room in Casino Pride has been acquired by Madhav ‘Maddy’ Gupta and rebranded to the Sol Poker Room.

Address: M. V Pride of Goa, River Mandovi, Captain Of Ports Jetty
Panaji, Goa
VIP Concierge #: +91-9158885086
Poker Room Manager #: +91-9810399477
Website: www.solpoker.in

 

Clubs Card Room (Casino Carnival) – Goa

The poker room of Casino Carnival is the smallest of the three, having just 6 tables, and next to poker – Teen Patti is also offered. The stakes for poker are more suitable for beginners, ranging from 50/50 blinds to 100/200.

Address: D.B. Marg, Opp. BP Petrol Pump/Panjim Residency, Panjim
Boarding #: +91-8888807256 / (0832) 2222092
Website: www.casinocarnival.in

 

Casino Mahjong – Sikkim

Casino Mahjong is the first land based live gaming casino in India. It’s part of the Mayfair Spa, Resorts & Casino in Gangtok (Sikkim). The poker room has 7 tables available for poker games.

Address: Casino Mahjong, MAYFAIR SPA RESORT & CASINO, Lower Samdur Block, Ranipool – 737135
Gangtok, East – Sikkim
Phone # : 03592-250126
Website: www.casinomahjongsikkim.com

Have a question or looking for a friendly home game in your city ? Simply post your queries on the PokerGuru Forums and connect with fellow Poker Players!

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