NEW DELHI: Raj Kundra’s Viaan Industries Ltd., the licensing, entertainment and wellness firm that is the commercial rights holder for Match Indian Poker League, announced here that Match IPL Season 2 will be held on 31st March in Kolkata.
The inaugural season of the league had seen seven teams competing for a total prize pool of Rs 250 million, and for the 2018 edition Viaan Industries has added three more franchises, with the winner representing Team India at the Match Poker Asian Nations Cup to be held later this year.
The ten teams registered for Match IPL Season 2 are Ahmedabad Hearts, Bangalore Royals, Delhi Aces, Goa Lions, Haryana Hawks, Jaipur Jewels, Kolkata Diamonds, Mumbai All Stars, Pune Kings and UP Indians.
While the winning franchise will take home Rs 4 million, runners up are guaranteed Rs 2.5 million, third Rs 2 million and fourth Rs 1.5 million.
Kundra, chairman and managing director of Viaan, said: “Online poker is fast gaining acceptance, as a game of skill, in the country. At Viaan Industries, we have been playing our role in shaping up this perception. With more than a million players estimated to be playing this mind sport, we envisage a huge growth for the industry going ahead. India is one of the fastest growing online poker markets in Asia. With the industry size at $120 mn already, the industry is estimated to have grown by high double digits over the last few years.”
The league is associated with International Federation of Match Poker and allows the winning team of the league to represent team India in international poker leagues.
