The new podcast by 888poker features Nik Airball as a guest, diving into his journey and thoughts on poker today. 888Ride Nik opens up about Garett Adelstein, live-streamed games, and the adrenaline rush of playing for $1,000,000 pots during his appearance on the show!
Nik Airball is recognized for being a controversial figure in the poker world, participating in high-stakes online cash games marked by dramatic swings in fortune.
Join Tuck in this episode as he delves deeper into Airball's psyche, discussing several contentious topics including tanking, streaming dynamics, and the notorious jack-four hand!
Don’t miss out on the full-length episode of the Nik Airball 888Ride podcast available HERE.
Can the True Nik Airball Step Forward?
Nik Airball, whose real name is Nikhil Arcot, has a passion for high-stakes poker that runs deep; poker has always been his greatest passion in life.
As a child, he would observe his father participating in weekly Hold'em games with friends, resembling a mini-tournament series that occurred multiple times each year.
In these weekly games, ten players would each contribute a thousand-dollar buy-in.
For nearly two months, Nik witnessed his father's competitive interactions at the poker table during a series of sit-and-go tournaments.
The player accumulating the most points across this series would earn a valuable $10,000 ticket to the Main Event of the World Series of Poker.
“My dad had the opportunity to compete one year, and my first vivid memory of poker was when he played in the Main Event. When he returned, he brought back a signed hat from Doyle Brunson and Chris Ferguson, having made it to day two, which was incredibly exciting for me.”
Playing LIVE On Stream
According to Airball, although he earns money from poker, working, and other investments, it is the thrill of live streaming that truly excites him.
“It’s essential to keep it engaging for the viewers, right? There’s a definite aspect of aiming to entertain everyone watching the stream.”
He does express his dissatisfaction with the criticism he receives regarding his behavior at the table, particularly when it comes to engaging with other players. He believes those negative remarks often overlook the context and previous interactions that may have occurred off-screen.
Though he enjoys live poker, he does have reservations about professional players who take excessively long to make their moves.
“In my opinion, when you consistently play at a fast pace, and then suddenly need time to think in a challenging situation, that’s understandable. However, if you usually play slowly and then expect that same consideration when facing a tough decision, that seems unfair.”
For Nik, the controversial call made by Robbi Jade Lew is not rooted in cheating but rather in how the individuals involved handled the fallout, especially Garett.
Garett, Robbi and the J4-Off Hand
Nik believes that, had he been in Garett's situation, he too would have sensed something was amiss, which is a valid feeling.
However, he was more bothered by the way Garett reacted to the incident afterward.
“As someone who has achieved considerable success at the table, you can’t just disregard how you behave when you’re being supported consistently and profiting significantly.”
Despite the unpleasantness of the situation, Nik thinks it might have been wiser for Garett to allow Ryan and Shaun to manage the situation, letting the Hustler Casino security take over.
On the topic of Garett reclaiming their winnings, Nik stated, \"I believe that was a very poor decision.\"
He argues that he is not a malicious player; he doesn't exclude others from games or try to avoid recreational players. He's willing to play against anyone, and importantly, he never seeks refunds when he's outplayed.
Nik thrives in the high-stakes poker environment, which fuels his enthusiasm and determination to engage in the game as often as he does. https://t.co/gqu5jsjjVU
— Nik Airball (@nikairball) March 21, 2023
Winning/Losing Ginormous Pots
His approach to the game embodies resilience and enjoyment at the table, regardless of whether he's winning or losing.
“Even when I'm down a couple of hundred thousand, I maintain my composure at the table. I just hope others can share that mindset.”
Regarding million-dollar pots, Nik adopts a philosophical perspective, emphasizing that it's not always just about the financial aspect.
While it's true that everyone aspires to come out ahead in the long term, the thrill of the game itself is what draws him back time and again.
"In my view, I play the hero role; I bring excitement and attract players to the game, making the streams lively and ensuring the game progresses.\"
It’s the entertainment factor…
Catch the complete Nik Airball podcast HERE.