While doubters might still accept that the luck factor is too high in poker, the ascent in popularity of the game and the reach-back ends on the skill factor demonstrate a change in this outlook.

Think about this: A MIT report says that poker requires the ability to appropriately understand circumstances and act. The prestigious institution has even launched a seminar on ‘poker theory’, contending that the utilization of poker analytics helps in investment management and exchange.

Adding something regarding this, Navkiran added, “There is no doubt that poker is a game of skill. From a mathematical standpoint, it involves concepts like probability and teaches a great deal about decision making and financial management”.

Navkiran founded Baazi Games in 2014 with his brother Puneet Singh and friends Anirudh Chaudhry, Avneet Rana, and Varun Ganjoo. The gaming startup started its excursion with the flagship platform PokerBaazi in October of that year.

Since then, the organization has expanded into several real-money games (RMG), such as the multi-card gaming app CardBaazi and the fantasy sports app BalleBaazi.

Today, the startup contends with India’s online gaming unicorns—MPL (Mobile Premier League) and Games24x7. Because of the growing popularity of RMGs in India, Singh is certain about its development possibilities. As indicated by KPMG, the RMG sector’s market opportunity is supposed to arrive at INR 61.3 Bn by FY25, representing 21% of online gaming’s INR 290 Bn market, a valuable open door.

Baazi Games’ mantra for scaling lies in building a premium gaming experience. This, according to the company, has helped it gain 11 million users, with PokerBaazi accounting for 2 million users and a 70% MoM retention rate. Navkiran said PokerBaazi recorded INR 249 Cr in revenue in FY22, clocking a 64% YoY growth in revenue from the previous year.

The startup told Inc42 that PokerBaazi has been reliably positioned first among India’s online poker platforms by PokerScout — a worldwide poker posting platform which screens real-money online poker destinations progressively.

Playing The Cards Right To Boost Customer Engagement
Navkiran asserted that when PokerBaazi began in 2014, it promptly hit home for desi poker lovers. In any case, the founders likewise saw a feeling of worry among users or users-to-be. “In those days, people were still hesitant about transacting digitally. And they were equally skeptical about putting their money on the line for a gaming platform, “he added.

These variables impeded customer acquisition. Consequently, the gaming startup has implemented numerous commitment and maintenance procedures throughout the years to build its customer base.

The group at PokerBaazi started it off with awareness campaigns and facilitated proficient poker players across a series of webinars to teach individuals about poker and highlight how the game would require fast and sane decision-making to corner achievement. All the more significantly, it kept its process transparent to encourage a feeling of trust and community. Keeping the customer at the center, each process and task was planned, said Navkiran.

In a bid to fabricate an unrivaled user experience, the group dealt with minute details and, throughout the long term, improved it with a blend of functional and fun intuitive elements. Navkiran said that PokerBaazi was one of the first to introduce a portrait-mode card table on its mobile app.

“Earlier, people needed both their hands to play, and that was cumbersome. So, we introduced something new that caught people’s attention and made things more convenient. “With the portrait mode on, players can easily play poker with one hand,” he added.

Outside factors like fast digitalization and the ascent of online gaming also lifted the business. Furthermore, this gave the Baazi Games’ advertisers more certainty to wander into other online gaming classifications. In 2018, the startup forayed into fantasy sports with BalleBaazi, and the following year, it released CardBaazi (previously RummyBaazi).

How the COVID Effect Caused an Online Gaming Boom
During the underlying pandemic days, online gaming assumed a basic role, giving individuals entertainment, unwinding, and social connectivity.

This growing consumer engagement is also revealed in Inc42’s report on “The State of the Consumer Internet.” As per the report, India represented 433 million online gaming users in FY21. In FY22, the user base increased by 11% to 481 million. By FY25, the user base is supposed to cross 657 MN.

Navkiran said that PokerBaazi saw a 20–25% jump in user engagement during the initial lockdown.
This was the ideal time for the gaming startup to move to its next period of development. In 2021, PokerBaazi released the National Poker Series. Navkiran says that it is one of the biggest poker tournaments in the country.

Strangely, the greater part of Baazi Games’ income (up to 80%) comes from PokerBaazi. This is fundamental because the platform procures its income through gaming fees, prominently known as a rake, a pervasive income model in the RMG segment where every user pays a charge to partake in a challenge or competition and gets money-related rewards on the off chance that they win. The platform holds a piece of the entry fee pool, which is the primary source of its pay.

This month, PokerBaazi roped in Bollywood entertainer Shahid Kapoor as its brand ambassador and launched its new mission, ‘You Hold The Cards’. Through this campaign, it plans to demonstrate that poker is a game of skill and not a game of luck. “Poker is not just a game but a sport. Although it’s a lot of fun to play, it also requires players to use their skills to win, just like in any other sport, “said Navkiran. With Shahid Kapoor as the face of the campaign, we have sent out this message loud and clear through our brand film, “he added.

Is poker a skill or chance game?
There is a tonne of discussion around the legitimacy of real-money games in India. Specific games of skill are exempted under Section 12 of the Public Gambling Act (1867). In any case, these games have not been defined in the Act, leaving a huge gray area situation concerning what is lawful and what isn’t.

Many gaming platforms have fostered their own governing set of principles to guarantee a protected climate for their users. One of the tools PokerBaazi has set up is its automated Responsible Gaming tool, which has game stakes controls and monetary controls accessible to the users at the click of a button.

As indicated by Navkiran, state legislatures will undoubtedly see the gaming community’s effort to self-regulate and change their viewpoint. The new decisions are going in favor of online gaming organizations.

In 2021, the Madras High Court lifted Tamil Nadu’s restriction on online gaming with stakes included. In February this year, the Karnataka High Court likewise struck down specific amendments to the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, which restricted all types of real-money games in the state, including online poker and other card and fantasy games.

He welcomed the decisions that permitted skill-based games like poker, rummy, and fantasy sports to be run and expected a more promising time to come for India’s gaming industry. “We envision making poker a recognised sport in India.” “I think it is a vast category with much potential, and we are working towards that direction now,” he said.

A great deal is left to explore, construct, and play for Baazi Games and its kind.

Credit: Inc42