Playing poker for a major part of the day and then going full-time is a story often heard in the poker circuit. But what is unheard of is the turn of events that leads to a player turning into a full-timer. The story which we are going to reveal today is that of Shrima Mondal—Calling Station’s Player of the Month. We spoke to Mondal about his journey in poker, and how being the Player of the Month has boosted his confidence and his future aspirations.
Excerpts from the interview.
You are Calling Station’s Player of the Month. How do you feel about it?
I’m thrilled about being the Player of the Month on Calling Station.
How many games have you played on Calling Station?
I try to play as many tournaments as possible. Be it the leaderboard tournaments or the daily ones (25K, 50K, 75K), I usually grind in all the tourneys on Calling Station.
You have 308 ITM (in the money) finishes on Calling Station. How do you strategise to make sure you have an ITM finish?
One thing is very clear in my mind when I start grinding—avoid making losses. I make sure I finish in the money if not for the top spot. But once the ITM is secured, I aim for the numero uno spot. It also depends on the game. If the other players are grinding aggressively, then I change my game accordingly.
Let’s go back in time for a bit. When did you begin your journey in poker?
I kick-started my journey in poker nine years ago. I’m a full-time player now. Back then, I played for 7-8 hours and was grinding in select tournaments. Now, I play on a full-time basis across various poker platforms.
Becoming a full-time poker player is a big step. How did you decide on it?
I became a full-time player when I realised I was making good money by playing poker and was also winning tourneys.
What kind of preparation goes on before a tournament?
I watch a lot of videos. I know many players study the game among other things. But I prefer watching a lot of videos, especially those of international poker heavy-weight Daniel Negreanu.
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What made you a loyal Calling Station player?
I was grinding on multiple poker platforms for quite some time. But when I realised I was consistently winning on Calling Station, I wanted to focus all my energies on this platform.
How would you describe your gaming experience on Calling Station?
Calling Station provides one of the finest gaming experiences. The player support provided by this online poker room is excellent.
So far, your winnings on Calling Station are over ₹7.5 Lakh. How are you planning your way ahead in terms of prize money?
I plan on doubling this figure in the coming future.
One thing that you would like to accomplish in the coming future?
I would like to take professional poker coaching which is my dream. My friends tell me that my gameplay is pretty good even with no training. But, I feel professional poker coaching will help me achieve greater heights in the poker industry.
After having a wonderful conversation with Mondal, we drew curtains on our interview with this brilliant poker player. We hope this story gives you an insight into a poker player’s life who not only works hard to achieve his goals but also aims higher with every win.
With a Masters Degree in Journalism and Communication, Mrinal Gujare currently is cruising through an exciting genre of writing and editing at Gutshot Magazine. Apart from being an Editor, Mrinal is an avid reader and a former contemporary dancer. She is also perennially hungry for intriguing scoops from across the globe. No holds barred is the rule Mrinal follows in life.
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