For many poker players around the world, what draws them to the sport is the thrill of playing and the riches it brings. For Pratibha Arya , who is a part of a small yet rapidly growing league of women poker players in India, it is the calm that she experiences while playing that has her hooked.
Talking about how the game has made her grow as a person, the Delhi native says, “Ever since I started playing poker, I have become calmer and wiser. It has taught me the importance of good mental and physical health and how they can directly impact one’s life. I learned to deal with my bad days in a better and more positive way.”
A straight-A student who had her heart set on becoming a software professional, Pratibha’s high scores in mathematics and computers led her to pursue a master’s degree in computer science.
It wasn’t until she was in her last year in college that she gave poker a shot at an online gaming platform in 2017. Soon enough, she saw that it was more than just good cards that had her winning. She had an ace up her sleeve: her mind. A journey of grit and passion
Pratibha’s journey since then has been a whirlwind of tournaments and championships, both online and offline, and some sweeping stakes.
Looking back at her early days in the sport, Pratibha says the mental acuity required to excel in poker drew her. “I took it up as a challenge. The time I was investing in playing poker was fetching me good returns. Plus, the ease of working at my convenience and without any pressure didn’t hurt,” she quips.
As she got a chance to play from home, even her family had no qualms with her switching careers. Starting out as a rookie, Pratibha made up for her lack of experience by getting more information about the sport from books and talking to friends.
But nothing beats actually playing the game. She describes her early days as gruelling, starting small before moving to higher stakes as she gained more confidence. It wasn’t […]
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