Crime Actor Hashmi Claims to be ‘Unlucky Poker Charm’

When it comes to poker in India, it’s definitely not always the man who ‘wears the trousers’ as Hindi film actor Emraan Hashmi revealed at the recent Spartan Poker's India Poker Championship Awards ceremony, explaining that his wife Parveen Shahani shoos him away whenever she is playing the game.

“Whenever she is playing poker with her friends, she never lets me around her, as she considers me unlucky," said Emraan, adding: “my wife is very good at the sport.”

Emraan himself claims to be no great guns at the game, telling reporters that although:

"I have always been amazed by poker… I have never really won a good hand.”

The 38-year old was in Bengaluru for the inaugural The Spartan Poker awards ceremony, celebrating the winners of the India Online Poker Championship, the Spartan Super Series, The Millionaires and the winners of other prominent online tournaments, as well as various promotions.

The Moulin Rouge-themed event featured performances from comedians, live bands, and a special cabaret show, with Amin Rozani, MD of The Spartan Poker explaining:

“We are always trying to do things bigger and better. And we must also make time to recognize and felicitate players who are doing well for they are the ones who will make our country proud when representing India on a global stage.”

The India Poker Championship, running since 2010, was the brainchild of Peter Abraham and Sameer Rattonsey who claim to have a simple mission – ‘to provide Indian poker players with a world class poker experience at the India Poker Championship’ and the awards ceremony reflected that statement.

Rozani explained of the new era and The Spartan Poker involvement:

“Like the IPC was in the past, these awards too are a gathering place to meet old friends and new, to catch up, celebrate each other’s accomplishments and of course to have a great time in one of the hub cities of Indian poker – Bangalore.”

As for the famous actor Hashmi, star of numerous thrillers and gangster-styled films, he is happy to add his weight to the game in India – and not solely because his wife loves the game:

"Just like other sports, in poker as well, you need to practice and put in efforts to hone your skills at every step. It is wonderful that the mindset of people towards poker is changing now and it is considered a sport."