Poker Trumps Teen Patti In Diwali

Teen Patti used to be the game of choice for Indians on Diwali, but that is no longer the case. Poker has seen a massive rise in its popularity recently and is now the favourite game for the festive season.

Diwali was always the time for teen patti parties, so how come poker has taken over? Well, it's just the trendiest, must-play-game in town now.

Poker is a very international game, something we've taken from the US and the casinos. Teen patti or flash (as most people call it), is something we've grown up watching our parents and friends playing. It just feels more desi and during the festival, it was a must, but now everyone is crazy about poker, especially Texas Hold'em poker.

According to a report from The Times of India, event planning companies have started offering poker tables for rent at Rs. 5,000 each this year. They have been really popular and business is brisk with many families looking to organize poker themed parties for their Diwali celebrations.

"Poker involves skill"

A seasoned poker player, on condition of anonymity, said: "Poker is a game of face reading more than gambling... which is why youth these days are crazy for poker. It involves skill." Many youngsters from both sexes have caught the poker bug thanks to social networking sites like Facebook. Games like "Zynga Poker" and "Face book Holdem Poker" are extremely popular among them.

Some who are above 18 years old, have moved on from these Facebook based games and have started playing on more serious online poker sites that are frequented by both amateur and professional poker players from all over the world. Others have taken the offline route and purchased their own poker sets which can either be imported from abroad or purchased locally for around Rs. 2,000.

Besides these games played at home, professionally organized poker tournaments have also started taking root here. The first poker tournament in Mumbai, held last year at the Mayfair Rooms in Worli, attracted 85 players who paid Rs. 5,000 each to take part. The total prize reached about Rs 4.5 lakh and was divided among the top 8 finishers.