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What Is Ramesh Rao Thotapalli Saying About WPT Prime India 2023?

World Poker Tour (WPT), the massively popular live series, is back in India at Deltin Royale Casino in Goa. From the moment we knew that WPT in association with Adda52 is hosting the WPT Prime edition in Goa, we were excited, and ready to witness a poker spectacle unlike any. This grinding season is going to be a steamy one with flagship tournaments on the WPT Prime India April 2023 schedule and the coveted 65K Main Event just waiting to smash live poker records. And there’s no denying that players are looking to win big and bask in the glory of their victories. Gutshot Magazine spoke to one of the veterans in the Indian poker circuit—Ramesh Rao Thotapalli aka RRT to know about his thoughts about the series, his participation in the highly anticipated event and more.

Ramesh Rao Thotapalli

Excerpts from the interview…

Your thoughts on WPT India April 2023 being hosted in Goa?

I have been eagerly waiting for this series to happen at the earliest. DPT was hosted a while back and IPC got postponed. There aren’t any live tournaments happening and the much awaited WPT has arrived!

What’s the first thing you wanted to know about WPT India April 2023 when the announcement was made?

I wanted to know about the buy-ins of various tournaments and their structure. Also the dates were very crucial because of pre-travel commitments.

What are your thoughts on the World Poker Tour as a poker brand?

APT caters to Asia and WSOP is almost fully based out of the US. If there is one brand that has travelled the length and breadth of the world, it’s WPT.

Will you be grinding at the upcoming WPT India April 2023 series? If yes, what are you most looking forward to?

I will be grinding in all events. I am more keen about the Main Event and High Roller.

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ALSO READ: List Of WPT India Main Event Winners

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One reason why nobody should miss out on WPT India April 2023?

Most of the tournaments in this series are less than USD 500 which makes for great value to even the small stakes players who wish to experience live poker. Since this is WPT, it’s a no brainer just for the sheer value they would get for their buck.

One message for those players who will be participating in WPT India April 2023 as their first live poker event?

Don’t go beyond your bankroll. Avoid partying during the event dates. Get enough sleep to be able to grind the other day. Plan your day well. Grind hard and trust the process!

As someone who’s been a part of the Indian poker circuit for so long, what are the changes you’ve seen in the live poker events hosted in India?

Live poker events in India have come a very long way. We had less than 40 entries when these live events started. Today we will witness a 1,000 entry field in this WPT. Main Event buy-in was 15/20K, but now we have 100K and 200K Highrollers with a ₹2 Crore prize pool. People from outside the country are coming in. It’s just a matter of time before the taxation is taken care of and domestic tournaments will operate at the same level as any international event like EPT or WSOP.

You’ve managed poker rooms as well as been a pro, what do you feel would be a key attraction for players in a live poker series?

If you ask me, live is poker. We play online just for comfort. Given a choice and easy access, no one would be willing to play online. The physical touch and feel of the chips, table banters, live tells / reads, interactions with your opponents, meeting new people, discussing with the veterans in the games, all of this is what live poker is all about.

One player you feel is the best live player in India?

In this lifetime, I personally don’t feel anyone would ever come close to Danish Shaikh or Samay Parikh in the game. On and off the table.

Well, folks this is what our beloved poker player RRT had to say about the much awaited WPT Prime India 2023 series, live poker and how it has evolved over the years. 

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