POY Monthly Update (March 1 – 31)
March was a whirlwind of action, with 384 tournaments and a staggering 92.2 CR in cash prizes distributed. The battle was fierce, and 140 players pushed the limits by participating in 120+ tournaments each.  

The most defining movement in March was in the fifth edition of the National Poker Series India. The edition – the biggest in its history, captivated the Poker community with 29 days of intense action from February 23 to March 24. The series was more than just a tournament—it was a battleground where strategy met grit, and legends were forged. 

PokerBaazi Team Pro, Mumbai’s Zarvan Tumboli ‘MomSaid5Bet’ claimed an impressive 6 medals, showcasing his consistency and tactical brilliance. Karnataka’s Bhanu Prakash KC ‘Chennaino1’ dominated both the Series Leaderboard and the top 12 India Leaderboard, proving he is not just a leaderboard topper, but a true warrior!   

Delhi’s Bhavye Mittal ‘noobnoob’ claimed bragging rights of winning the biggest-ever NPS India Main Event. 

As NPS India handed out medals and winnings, it also brought out a shake-up in the Player of the Year (POY) 2025 Leaderboard.  

One player, however, remained unchallenged – Bengaluru, Karnataka’s Advait Rajguru ‘ExploitativeGTO’!  

Coming into March as the February POY topper, Rajguru didn’t just maintain his lead—he solidified it. Despite stiff competition from the best in the country, he kept his dominance intact, proving why he’s the undeniable leader of the month! 

MARCH 2025 – TOP 5 RANKS  

RANK   PLAYER NAME   TOURNAMENTS PLAYED   ITM FINISHES   MONTHLY WINNINGS   POY SCORE  
1   ExploitativeGTO Advait Rajguru   153   112    36.62 LAC   998  
2   nexus010  Ashit Sharma   135   94    33.40 LAC   997  
3   KarmaPoker  Aman Parakh   149   117   67.34 LAC   997  
4   Vishzz  Vishal Bajaj   86   56   39.51 LAC   996  
5   Fishlover001  Anish Vijay   146   104   48.68 LAC   996  

Player of the Month – Advait Rajguru ‘ExploitativeGTO’
Titan of the Felt!
Bengaluru-based Poker coach Advait Rajguru didn’t just maintain his top spot—he amplified his dominance throughout March. With 153 tournaments under his belt and 112 ITM finishes, his consistency was unmatched. 

His standout performances included securing gold in two major events: 

  • 🥇 Gold in NPS#48 Megadive for 6.17 LAC on March 1.  
  • 🥇 Gold in NPS#113 Marathon for 4.02 LAC on March 11.  

Rajguru’s stellar run not only solidified his #1 position in the Player of the Year standings but also earned him the #2 spot on the NPS India Karnataka State Leaderboard with 30 points.  

THE MARCH MAESTRO: Chirag Sodha ‘’miyagi’ 

Making the Most ITM Finishes
When it comes to consistency, Karnataka’s Chirag Sodha, aka ‘miyagi,’ set the gold standard in March. The eight-time NPS India medallist didn’t clinch a gold this time but showcased Poker prowess with an 88% cashout ratio—cashing in 142 out of 162 tournaments. 

His journey through March was marked by: 

  • 4th in NPS India (6-Max) SPRINT for 1.94 LAC on March 5.  
  • 74th in NPS India Highroller for 1.04 LAC on March 15.  
  • Ranked #4 in NPS India Series Leaderboard with 32.89K points to win an additional 10 LAC!  

THE MARCH MAVERICK: Aditya Sushant ‘gangajal’
An Incredible Spin-Up
Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s Aditya Sushant, a former WSOP champion, showed why he’s a force to be reckoned with. Climbing an astonishing 3,951 spots to secure the #8 rank in March, Sushant’s aggressive and strategic play paid off handsomely. 

His March highlights included: 

  • 🥇 Gold in NPS India (PLO-5) Knockout for 3.06 LAC on March 21.  
  • 5th in NPS India Saturday Showdown for 2.56 LAC on March 15.  
  • 9th in NPS India Super Highroller for 2.28 LAC on March 20.  
  • 7th in NPS India Slamdunk for 1.59 LAC on March 1.  
  • 6th in NPS India Megadive for 1.29 LAC on March 1.  

  With 163 tournaments, 100 ITM finishes, and 37.48 LAC in winnings, Sushant’s rise was nothing short of meteoric.

THE INDOMITABLE CRUSHERS
Most ITM Finishes
When it comes to cashing in consistently, these players stood out:

MOST ITM FINISHES  

    PLAYER NAME   TOURNAMENTS PLAYED   ITM FINISHES   MONTHLY WINNINGS  
1   miyagi  Chirag Sodha   162   142    21.38 LAC  
2   Chennaino1  Bhanu Prakash KC   163   134   30.58 LAC  
3   vinay09  Vinay Rajput   154   131   27.14 LAC  

THE MARCH HIGHFLYERS! 
Top Scorers
While many players were battling for ITM finishes, a few soared above, amassing colossal winnings. These highflyers proved that in Poker, it’s not just about participation—it’s about making every hand count! 

TOP 5 TOP SCORERS OF MARCH: 

Player    TOTAL WINNINGS  
noobnoob Bhavye Mittal   94.26 LAC  
thepokerplayer Dhruvin Kothari   88.74 LAC  
zpAAced Pratik Manjrekar    76.80 LAC  
KarmaPoker Aman Parakh    67.34 LAC  
TheInternetKid Kartik Ved    64.19 LAC  

THE SCORE TRAILBLAZERS
Single Biggest Scorers
March’s biggest single wins went to: 

  • Bhavye Mittal ‘noobnoob’ – 94.26 LAC (Delhi) 
  • Dhruvin Kothari ‘thepokerplayer’ – 82.11 LAC (Gujarat) 
  • Pratik Manjrekar ‘zpAAced’ – 60.64 LAC (Maharashtra) 

March wasn’t just about tournaments—it was a showcase of India’s Poker spirit, with players proving their resilience, skill, and passion. From record ITM finishes to big wins, the action was next-level. 

With 9 more months to go in the 2025 POY race, the battle is far from over. 

Here’s to more thrilling poker action ahead! 

  The following seven factors determine your POY Score: 

  • Return on Investment (ROI): Your profits relative to buy-ins, adjusted for the log value of your average buy-in. 
  • In the Money (ITM): The number of times you finish in the money, multiplied by the log value of your average buy-in. 
  • Tournaments Played: The total number of tournaments you play in 2025. 
  • Winnings: Total prize money won in tournaments throughout the year. 
  • Final Tables: Number of times you make the final table, multiplied by the square root of participants in those tournaments. 
  • 1st Rank: Number of tournament victories, multiplied by the square root of participants. 
  • Biggest Score: Your highest single tournament score of the year. 

(Disclaimer: Rankings are accurate as of midnight!) 

Player of the Year