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Exclusive: Arun Sriram Spills The Tea On His EndBoss Win

Arun Sriram—this name needs no introduction in poker. From being an online and live pro, to becoming a game ambassador for popular online poker platform Adda52, Sriram has firmly cemented his position in the industry, not just as a tough competitor but also as an inspiration for upcoming players in the industry. 

Sriram who we also know as ‘vazharmorghulis’ shipped a heavy-duty tournament on PokerBaazi. The pro won the ₹5 Crore GTD EndBoss tournament for a sum of ₹1 Crore in September 2023. We spoke to Sriram to know more about his victory in the EndBoss tournament which was easily one of the most eyed online poker titles.

 

 

 

 

 

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Excerpts from the interview…

Your thoughts on winning the EndBoss event?

I had visualised winning so many of these tournaments so often that when I eventually won, that moment felt normal and emotionless. Currently, the feeling I have is a blend of joy, accomplishment, and a deep sense of gratitude.

Your initial thoughts when PokerBaazi announced EndBoss with ₹5 Crore GTD?

As the highest guaranteed event, EndBoss does create a lot of excitement, and it’s often one of the most awaited tournaments in India. I am always hopeful and excited when any big series comes around.

What was your prep like for this event?

Every day is a small step towards getting better. While I didn’t prepare specifically for this event, trying to get better on a continuous basis is part of my approach. While I do veer off sometimes due to other commitments, I always come back to find comfort in my practice and training sessions.

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ALSO READ: Arun Sriram Claims PokerBaazi EndBoss Title For ₹1 Crore

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With ₹5 Crore guaranteed, it was given that many pros will be participating. How did you plan on tackling such tough competition?

With such a large field of players vying for the biggest score in India, it was an exhilarating journey, to be honest. It ended up being a test of patience and perseverance. 

Out of 904 entries, you emerged first. What was it like from the start of the tourney till the game was down to its final table?

I didn’t come into Day 2 with a huge stack, so my focus was on building a stack in the initial stages. Once the tournament went deep, the key was to understand the ICM dynamics and build up aggression at the right spots. 

Since the tournament has huge payouts on top, most players feel an enormous sense of pressure playing at the deep stages. 

Interestingly, it felt very normal for me throughout the final table. All the mindset training and visualisations did help. This is what we prepare for as professionals, and the chance to execute and come out on top is a good feeling.

What was the heads-up play like with Thiyam Dannish? How would you describe his play?

Thiyam is a poker streamer and a fun person. I have met him before in live MTTs. He was fairly patient in the final stages, which actually gave him significant pay jumps even though he was the shortest stack with four players left. But, the heads-up got over pretty quickly since I had a large stack and ended up winning it on the first flip.

Your learnings from the EndBoss tournament?

This win sort of reaffirms my personal belief that positive expectations trump all.

If you look back, is there anything you would have done differently in this event?

Nothing. I was in the flow and would want to be in that state forever.

Are there any tournaments that you would like to win in the future?

A WSOP bracelet is always on the radar. I am looking forward to the DPT coming up in October to get my first live title. 

One message you would like to share with aspiring poker players?

Prepare the hardest. Hope for the best. Accept outcomes for what they are. Enjoy the process.

One can surely say that Sriram does not mince words when it comes to sharing his thoughts about winning or his way of approaching poker. Be it prep or mindset training, this Adda52 game ambassador has his eyes on glory. When it comes to the upcoming DPT (15th edition) event, we hope to see this pro take down some coveted titles and top prizes.

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