In a game where skill and logic seamlessly blend with the art of play – and emotions can be your biggest challenge – Aditya Kesharwani has carved his own space with quiet resilience and sharp focus.

Hailing from Chakghat, Madhya Pradesh, the 31-year-old former IITian has been grinding virtual and live felts for nearly 6 years – weathering variance, crushing fields, and learning at every step.

While his recent “The MoneyMaker” title win added 15 LAC to his bankroll, Aditya isn’t chasing headlines – he’s building longevity. With career winnings of over 2.87 CR*, a top 4 finish in “EndBoss” 2020, and a strong 2025 run featuring approximately 67 LAC in winning from 257 cashes, 6 titles, and 22 final tables*, his graph is steadily rising.

But numbers only tell part of the story.

What truly sets Aditya apart is his mindset – rooted in fundamentals, strengthened by patience, and driven by the belief that Poker is not just a game, but discipline.

In this no-filter conversation, Aditya talks about his victory run in “The MoneyMaker”, the grind, the growth, and what it really takes to keep evolving in today’s high-stakes world of Poker.

Shipping “The Moneymaker”
Continuous effort, belief in doing better, and trusting the process over the last two years, led Aditya Kesharwani to “The MoneyMaker” title.

It was not an easy feat. Aditya rode past a competitive field of 1,026 entries. A crucial double-up at the final table propelled him to the chip lead, paving the road to victory!

“At the final table, I was second in chips with about 35 BB in the big blind. An early-position short stack (~15 BB), opened, and the chip leader (~70 BB) flat-called. I held pocket fives, defended as expected. The flop came 10d-5d-8c with a flush draw. I checked, the opener bet half-pot, and the chip leader raised. Facing a polarized range, I decided to jam rather than fold or call. My shove got called—he had JJ—and I doubled up to become the chip leader. From that position, I maintained my stack as elimination of the remaining players followed.”


Heads-up, Aditya faced off against Bhanuprakash KC—widely regarded as a formidable opponent. “It was a brief battle,” Aditya recalls. “I stayed composed, stuck to my game plan, and picked my spots carefully. In less than 10 minutes, it was all over—and it went my way.”

“Over time, I’ve learned and am still in pursuit of detaching myself completely from results. That said, I ran well. My parents and family were happy for me.”

From Small-Town Roots to a Calculated Grind
Aditya Kesharwani’s journey is anything but ordinary. He was raised in Chakghat, a small border town in Madhya Pradesh, where strategy ran in the family through traditional card games and a natural flair for numbers. Encouraged by his parents and teachers for his analytical mindset, Aditya was sent to a boarding school in Prayagraj – an environment that instilled discipline, routine, and a love for sports.

“The sports I played and the people I played with instilled the competitive spirit in me, shaping who I am today,” Aditya recalls.

From 2004 to 2009, his school years shaped his competitive spirit, which he carried into the next chapter: Kota, where he rigorously prepared for the IIT entrance exams.

That dedication paid off with a place at IIT Kharagpur, where he pursued a five-year integrated M.Sc. in Mathematics and Computing. It was here that Aditya’s mathematical precision sharpened further laying the groundwork for what would one day become his professional edge at the Poker table.

The Next Chapter: Poker
Aditya Kesharwani discovered Poker in the final semester of his five-year program at IIT Kharagpur. With job placements already secured, the pressure had lifted—making way for late-night friendly games with INR 50 buy-ins. What started casually soon became a nightly ritual. Aditya’s natural affinity for numbers, probability, and structured thinking helped him grasp the fundamentals quickly. The game simply clicked.

“I enjoy the mathematical side of the game – studying theory through numbers has always been a key area of my focus.”

But before the grind could begin, life took a detour. After graduation in 2017, Aditya. joined Goldman Sachs in Bengaluru, working in the Credit Asset class of Risk Division.

While his role was analytically demanding, his real passion simmered elsewhere—Poker. Evenings and weekends were spent learning the game, playing for fun, and diving deeper into strategy. Within a year, it became clear: the corporate world wasn’t where he was meant to be.

In 2019, Aditya made the leap. He quit his job and moved to Hyderabad to chase Poker full-time. He started small, playing live cash games to build both bankroll and experience. But the timing was serendipitous.

In early 2020, just before the COVID lockdown, Aditya returned home—and with the world on pause, he pivoted to online Poker.

That decision proved to be pivotal.

“I was new to the tournament format and realized it required a different level of understanding. That’s when I really got into online Poker and started to study theory in detail.”

The “EndBoss” Finish
Aditya’s breakout moment came in April 2020, when he finished 4th in “EndBoss” – taking home 26.55 LAC. It was more than just a big score. The result offered a much-needed validation for Aditya: that Poker could be a viable profession; and for his family, that this wasn’t just a passing phase.

Emotionally and financially, it gave him confidence and a runway to build a serious career.

The “EndBoss” finish gave Aditya a bankroll boost, and he started exploring lower-stakes MTTs. In 2020, he turned to his college senior and seasoned poker mind, Vinayak Bajaj, for mentorship.

“After “EndBoss”, I began grinding smaller stakes and realized how much I had to learn. That’s also when Vinayak began mentoring me.”

Under Vinayak’s guidance (2020-22), he dived into theory, game selection, and structured study – a phase that laid the groundwork for his tournament journey.

Since then, Aditya’s game and mindset have gone through a significant evolution. “Back then, I thought I was a very good player – but I didn’t know much,” he admits.

Then came the next leap (2022-24): joining the Euphoria coaching program led by Kanishka Samant, where he trained under seasoned pros like Sreekanth Narayan and Dhinesh Kumar.

Roadblocks & Learnings
After early successes, Aditya faced a tough phase in Poker. Though always supportive, Aditya Kesharwani’s parents often worried about his future.

“No father is against your passion – they just fear seeing you struggle.”

But quitting was not an option. “During those times, I mulled over returning to a regular job, but every morning I woke up clear – this is what I wanted. There was no Plan B; all my energy is invested in Poker.”

With experience, his approach matured. Today, Aditya remains rooted in the game, valuing the journey over the outcome.

“I started with raw energy and little understanding of the game’s depth. Over time, setbacks taught me the value of timing, balance, and patience. Now, I play with clarity, focus, and sharper tools in my arsenal – not just with passion, but with purpose.”

“The lows taught me the most. Even when doubt crept in, I never wavered – this is what I’m meant to do. I focused on what mattered, stayed consistent, and the results followed. I’m still growing – and far from done.”

What Has Changed?

“My mindset has evolved. I understand variance more deeply now and have become better at adapting to the game. Emotionally, I am more grounded.”

Support Systems That Anchor the Grind
Aditya credits his wife – a yoga instructor – as a cornerstone of his mental and physical well-being. Through breathing exercises, routine, and emotional balance, she has helped him navigate the inevitable highs and lows of a Poker career.

His friends, too, play a key role – offering both tactical input and emotional reassurance during tough runs.

Yoga, swimming, meditation, and structured study define Aditya’s daily life. For him, water is not just therapy – it’s clarity. It allows him to recover from bad beats, recalibrate, and reset.

The Indian Poker Boom
Aditya believes India’s love for card games gives it a natural edge in Poker. With the right education and mindset shift, Indian players can dominate on international stages. He sees growing professionalism and mentorship as critical to this evolution.

“It’s good to see that people are realizing that this game has a lot of potential. More are understanding what it takes to be a professional Poker player.”

Words to the Aspiring
For new players, Aditya’s advice is clear: stop chasing wins, start chasing understanding. Build your fundamentals. And above all, develop emotional control – because in Poker, your biggest opponent isn’t the player across the table; it’s your own mind.

“One of the biggest shifts has been learning the value of folding – in Poker, sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to let go. While the world says, ‘never give up,’ this game teaches that well-timed discipline often beats blind persistence.”

Takeaways & Dreams
Aditya’s 2025 goal is simple: stay consistent, stay curious. Aditya isn’t chasing scores – he’s chasing growth. More live games, deeper theoretical study, and better emotional regulation are top priorities.

“I want to evolve as a player – building both physical and mental resilience.”

While he is currently more comfortable in the online format, he’s actively looking forward to exploring more live tournaments in future.

“October 2019 was the first time I went to Goa to play live Poker. Over time, my goal is to step into more live Poker games with confidence and clarity.”

In a game defined by variance, Aditya Kesharwani’s edge clearly lies in his consistency. He may not always know what the next hand holds, but one thing is certain: he’s exactly where he’s meant to be!
(*stats as on 27th June,2025)

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