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He is hard-working, passionate and thoroughly competent. Many people, beside me, who know him and of his achievements, believe him to be the father of poker in India. I was lucky enough to catch up with Jim on a busy day, yet he was completely accessible and gave me his full attention as we talked about the business of poker, the casinos, and the up-coming World Professional Poker Tour (WPPT) in India.

Jim is seen onboard Casino Carnival Goa, interacting with players; many times concentrating on a Texas Hold’em game; other times, just busy with the managerial operations. Yet, mostly he is busy planning something novel for the Indian poker fraternity and to take his favourite sport to a different level in India.

I began my interview with a lot of doubts about poker in the Indian scenario and regarding the very fast growth of this game. But, by the end of the interview I came out more educated about the subject and you too will understand why he is one of the leaders in the poker industry in our country today.

Mehak Budhrani: How do you feel being the pioneer of poker in India? How difficult was it to build up the foundation alone, abiding by all the rules and regulations governing the industry? And how easy is it now for all the people who climbed on to the band wagon?

Jim Ramm: Yes, it was an uncharted territory then and there was always the fear and doubt of failure. But looking back now I am quite satisfied at the way things have gone for poker since then and it’s also a good feeling, being the first to start an organized poker tournament platform in India. That IPRT was the first of its kind and cannot be changed. This is set in history now. The idea that time was to go legal and that was the trick. I was lucky to get support from the casinos in Goa and that helped a lot. I remember the first IPRT tournament and the excitement on the 30 odd players’ faces, who had come from different parts of India. We even had a player who had flown in from Taiwan just to participate in the first ever Indian Poker Tournament. It was a great feeling! Everyone was excited though none of us knew what really to expect from each other. Luckily, that and the following events went off very smoothly. That others have come up with their own groups is what I was expecting and this is good for the growth of poker in India. This is the way the game will get the required exposure it needs. It needs to reach as many people as possible, and real quick!

Mehak Budhrani: What is the purpose of the IPRT League?

Jim Ramm: India Poker Ranking Tour (IPRT) was the first poker tournament platform in India. The idea was to get poker tournaments started in India at officially certified and registered casinos so as to provide Indian poker players legally safe and secure venues. IPRT managed to jump start poker tournaments in the Indian circuit and till date loyal IPRT members, from across India, participate in IPRT events on a regular basis.

Mehak Budhrani: Could you share with us the foundation of IPRT and its progress through the years since inception.

Jim Ramm: IPRT was established in 2008/2009 and has around 3000 registered members from different parts of the country. A few of IPRT’s earliest members went on to start their own groups and which is indeed what IPRT’s vision was and which I am proud to be part of. IPRT also envisioned getting Indian poker players to the forefront of the world poker arena. That too is happening. Very soon we will hear about Indian Poker Superstars!

Mehak Budhrani: How has the poker scene changed since you first started?

Jim Ramm: Oh Yes! I remember players handling chips with trembling hands. It was a first time for most players then to be seated at a poker table in a casino. A lot has changed since. Players have gotten more educated and experienced. New players now are playing more online and thus are aware of the rules of the game much better. It makes things easier when they start playing at brick and mortar venues. Many players have turned pro since then and travel regularly overseas to Macau or other international destinations to play bigger games. Now Sikkim has started casinos and they have a poker room there too. Sri Lanka, which is closer for players from South and East India, has recently started a poker room where they have great action tables running daily. Players’ data base is increasing on a daily basis. Some dynamic Indian poker forums and media platforms have also greatly helped popularize this sport in India. In my opinion, poker has really taken off in the right way here, though what we have accomplished till now is just Chapter 1 of the story.

Mehak Budhrani: Where did your interest in Poker begin and how long have you been playing for?

Jim Ramm: I started playing many years ago when I was in the Caribbean. I have played in the States for quite some time too. I used to play online before that. I am mostly a tournament player, though I do play ring games. It has been quite a many years, since I got hooked to the game, especially Texas Hold’em. Now I do not get so much time to play because of work. But I don’t let go a single opportunity that comes my way to play poker.

Mehak Budhrani: What according to you is the main reason behind this sudden boom in poker?

Jim Ramm: Poker is a challenging game and anyone who likes challenges will love this sport and sure get stuck to it. There are other factors to the game’s popularity too, like the WPT TV show with the camera table where the TV show viewers actually get a chance to interact in the game by getting to see the hole cards and other data as graphics on the screen. Another reason is the huge prize-pools for many tournaments, which reach many millions of dollars, such as in WSOP, WPT, EPT, Aussie Millions, and other international tournaments. Online mega prize-pool tournaments offer a wider playing field running into tens of thousands of players, which can be played in the comfort of the home, and this is yet another reason why the game has reached millions of people across the globe so quickly. The convenience and ease of access to this game is a major reason for its titanic growth. However, in my opinion, one of the most important reasons could be that to do with the systemized universal basic rules of this game. It is like grading of diamonds. When you buy a diamond anywhere in the world, the same basic grading rules are applied. Similarly, you have to follow the same rules for poker wherever you play the game. It crosses all boundaries of language and culture. Because of this simplicity, poker is now a layman’s game. Every one of us can play poker just by knowing its few basic rules. In India, a lot of flush players I know are slowly changing loyalties to poker. It’s the sheer challenge and rush that this game provides!

Mehak Budhrani: According to you, does poker have enough coverage that it should get or is it over rated already in India?

Jim Ramm: No, not at all yet. Poker has a long way to go. Like I said this is just the beginning for poker in India and I am confident that poker will be taken to different global highs by us in India. Though this game has a long history in the United States, I can assure you that in 5-7 years, this game is going to be wider and bigger in India in every way that one can think of. In India, it will be second to cricket only.

Mehak Budhrani: What according to you is it that drives people from all over to come and play at the casinos?

Jim Ramm: As per Indian gaming laws, because poker has a great element of chance, it thus falls under the category of gambling. There are only a couple of places in India where we have casinos where poker can be played legally. Yes, there are a lot of home games happening across the country but these games are not legal. Players come to the casinos in Goa to play poker because a legal, safe and a professional venue is provided to play their favorite sport. This is not possible at home games, rented out hotel rooms or apartments. Also, in casinos you get a chance to play with new and different players compared to home group games where mostly the same players are at the table and the money is just going round the same circle, everyday. Many of the home games work on credit which could mean that your winnings remain written on paper only.

Mehak Budhrani: The craze for poker is increasing at a fast pace. Do you think the game going to open up a huge market in India for poker goodies?

Jim Ramm: Absolutely, I believe so. Looking at the rest of the poker world where this game is now a very popular sport, it is just a matter of a couple of years that we will see poker goodies being sold in many of the retail outlets. Card n Dice is one gift shop in a mall in Goa based on this theme. Though poker as a game is quite new to India, we have the advantage of sheer numbers. Also demographically, India has a large section of a younger population as compared to, let’s say, China, Japan or USA. And poker is widely seen as a sport of the younger generation. I think India will become the destination for high action poker in the next couple of years. Poker merchandise will become a lucrative industry.

Mehak Budhrani: Do you regard poker as a business sport or a lifestyle sport?

Jim Ramm: Poker can be categorized both as a business and a lifestyle sport. But it does not end there. Poker is also a leisure sport, a profession sport, a challenging sport, a mentally stimulating sport and it can also be a time-pass sport. It meets every players need.

Mehak Budhrani: As you interact with the youth very often, do you think that they are beginning to think of poker as a career?

Jim Ramm: I personally know quite a many young people who have taken up this sport as a profession. I must add that some of them have failed but quite a few of them have really done great for themselves. As I have been in the Indian poker arena from the beginning, I remember my conversations with these now poker pros, regarding the future of poker in India. We all had the same vision for poker in our country. I am glad to say that we are on the path, and given a couple of years more, Indian poker players will be a force to reckon with. This thought always makes me real happy!

Mehak Budhrani: Can the international brands such as APT, WPPT, WSOP, etc see India as the next best destination for poker or promoting their brands?

Jim Ramm: They are already looking at India because they understand the potential of the Indian market. APT had held an event in India a few months back and WPPT will be holding an event with IPRT in Feb this year (2012). But my wish is to see our local platforms like IPRT and others become strong as a brand, to satisfy the Indian poker players expectations for tournament games, so there is no place for these foreign brands to come solo to India. They should look to partner a local group. This will happen only if our local groups are professional enough. We should endeavor to get better organized and work as a team so as to keep the eventual poker player’s needs in sight and to deliver the best product. We undoubtedly have the advantage of numbers on our side and I am sure we are capable of creating a global brand, which could be a force to reckon with.

Mehak Budhrani: We believe you are hosting The WPPT – World Professional Poker Tour for the first time ever in India onboard Casino Carnival. Please give our readers details about the Tournament and what should poker players, like myself, look forward to?

Jim Ramm: The WPPT – World Professional Poker Tour event in India is to be held 20 to 26 Feb 2012 at the Clubs Card Room onboard Casino Carnival Goa. The main event is a Deep Stack with 1 hour blind levels format. It has never been done before in India. Expected runners are more than 100 for this tourney from India and another 100 from overseas. So the field is going to be huge and therefore the prize-pool (prize money) is expected to be the highest in India ever till date. The tournament venue is on the weather deck of the Casino Carnival ship and will be in a themed ambience. Again this will be a first ever in India. IPRT is supporting this event. Also there will be a “High-Rollers” by invitation only tournament on the 26 Feb 2012. Beach parties, free shuttles, hotel packages, a lot of goodies, are being offered. I think this will be an event no poker player should miss. It will be an International category event right at our doorstep in our country!

Mehak Budhrani: I, myself being a poker player, would not end this interview without some tips to raise my stack. Also beginners would love to hear suggestions for their game too.

Jim Ramm: Poker is a thrill sport because it gets your adrenalin rushing nearly every time you play a hand. Yet, at every point decisions have to be taken, which could be crucial. Here skill and experience is required. Knowledge of the game, its fundamentals, bankroll management and especially the mathematics of poker has to be mastered. To understand this fully, it is not possible for any one because of the permutation combinations being so vast. New players need to understand first that poker is a “patience” game. They should read lots of poker books and materials or collect as much information from the net. At the same time, there is nothing better than practice. Start with only small games and till your bankroll is not strong enough to support bigger games, do not venture into stakes, which could actually obliterate you even before you start. Poker is not a game for boys. It’s a man’s game!”

I was lucky enough to get a quick Q&A with the father of Indian poker who gave a whole lot of insights into the World of Poker. He provided some great, entertaining answers and I thank him for his time.

This article in full can be read at http://theviewspaper.net/the-poker-interview/