Who Will End the Drought?
National Poker Series India 2025 is blazing through, and the battle for the coveted 1 CR India Leaderboard title is heating up. Players from across the country are grinding it out, chasing glory and fighting for their state’s shot at the 1 CR Freeroll event. Medals are being claimed, reputations are being forged, and the stakes have never been higher.

But in a surprising twist, Goa – the mecca of live Poker in India – is missing from the medal tally.

What’s Happening, Goa?
Goa is home to some of the sharpest minds in Indian poker. Yet, despite producing top-tier talent like Myron Pereira, PokerBaazi Team Pro Abhishek Goindi, Manash Kalita, and Nikita Fernandes, the state is still searching for its first medal in National Poker Series 2025. Cashes? Plenty. Podium finishes? Not yet. And with 189 medals already awarded, the clock is ticking.

Can Myron Pereira or Abhishek Goindi Break Goa’s Medal Drought?
If there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that Myron Pereira loves a Bronze. The Goan grinder has bagged a Bronze medal in every National Poker Series edition since 2022. This year, he’s cashed in multiple events including the NPS#40 Friday Freestyle on February 28 where he secured a 33rd place rank and 62K but hasn’t quite made it to the podium yet. Will he finally convert and end Goa’s dry spell?

And then there’s Abhishek Goindi – a past National Poker Series Silver and Bronze medalist, PokerBaazi Team Pro, and one of India’s most respected poker coaches. He kicked off National Poker Series 2025 with a min-cash in NPS#3 (5-Max) HYPER but is yet to bag a medal. His best finish at the edition was in the NPS#52 (PLO-6) on March 2 where he ranked 10th for 35.3K. With his experience and pedigree, could he be the one to carry Goa across the finish line?

Other Goan Contenders to Watch
Manash Kalita, a Bronze medallist from National Poker Series 2023, has shown flashes of brilliance but hasn’t cracked the podium yet in 2025. His best finish was in NPS#6 Marathon where he sailed into the 70th rank, earning 15.5K. He’s had a few deep runs, but Goa needs more than just close calls right now.

Then there’s Nikita Fernandes, a former India Poker Masters champion, who has been consistently going deep in tournaments. Her best finish so far? 21st place in NPS#26 (7-Max) Championship, which earned her 81.K. She’s clearly in form – can she push through and land Goa’s first medal of the series?

The State Leaderboard & The Road to the National Poker Champion Showdown
Let’s talk State Leaderboard – because medals don’t just bring personal glory; they earn crucial points. Every medal helps a state qualify for the National Poker Champion Showdown, a five-day, high-stakes offline battle set to take place in Goa this April. And guess what? It’s going to be live-streamed on an OTT platform!

But to get there, Goa needs medals. And fast.

Goa’s Poker Champions – It’s Time to Step Up!
With a few weeks left in National Poker Series 2025, the moment of truth is here. Will Myron Pereira keep his Bronze streak alive? Will Goindi finally break through? Or will a new Goan hero rise to the occasion?

The race for Goa’s first medal is officially on – and the poker world is watching. Let’s go, Goa! It’s time to shuffle up and deal.

National Poker Series