India: JioCinema and PokerBaazi have collaborated to launch “Poker Masterclass,” a 6-part reality TV series featuring players in poker games and activities. Shot in a game show style, this unique 5-day learning experience promotes skill development and offers a mix of entertainment and emotions.
In the series, four poker masters – Abhishek Goindi, Kanishka Samant, Vinod Megalmani, and Shravan Chhabria – lead teams to mentor Poker players and engage with the Indian Poker community. Each day promises poker gameplay and educational sessions to enhance skills and create lasting memories for participants.
Commenting on the release of Poker Masterclass on JioCinema, Navkiran Singh, Founder & CEO, Baazi Games shared, “We are delighted to announce that PokerBaazi has taken another step in fostering the Indian poker community with the release of one of India’s first poker reality TV shows on OTT, Poker Masterclass, in collaboration with JioCinema. Over the years, we have seen the Indian poker community grow exponentially. This sport continues to offer a lot, and we are now combining entertainment with the skills required to play poker in a unique learning gaming format for our Indian audience. The series highlights the efforts undertaken by poker players to prepare for tournaments and aims to attract a whole new audience to this skill-based sport in India.”
Talking about the partnership, Vivek Mohan Sharma, Head of Branded Content & Youth Properties Sales, Viacom18, says, “Pushing the boundaries of content through strategic partnerships is our approach of choice, and we’re excited to collaborate on a show like Poker Masterclass. This is our first-ever poker reality show on the platform. Collaborations like this not only enhance the brand’s visibility but also amplify the reach and impact through our vast platform. We’re committed to continue delivering power-packed brand experiences to our audience.”
Set in Goa, India’s Poker capital, the series follows 28 players coached by 4 Indian Poker pros at a five-day camp to prepare for the Indian Poker Masters on PokerBaazi. Teams include Shark Squad led by Abhishek Goindi, Pocket Rockets by Vinod Megalmani, Anti-Tilters by Kanishka Samant, and Crushers guided by Shravan Chhabria. Players hail from various states like West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and more.
Participants from the series, top-ranked from PokerBaazi tournaments, included four contest winners. They received entry tickets for Indian Poker Masters. The winning team, acknowledged with a trophy, honored an MVP. Indian Poker Masters series debuts on August 4, offering INR 60 Crore prize pool. Best Indian Poker players compete for the title.
