Viswanathan Anand endorses PSL, compares poker to chess

In an important announcement that will give an impetus to the mind sport of poker, chess grandmaster and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Viswanathan Anand has signed up as a brand ambassador of the Amit Burman and Adda52 promoted Poker Sports League (PSL).

It is understood that Anand will be promoting PSL and the game of poker as a mind sport and will encourage players to join the league.

“I have been following poker for a few years now. It is a game of skill and that’s perhaps why chess players take to poker naturally. It’s got me intrigued”, Anand told the Times of India.

“What I have observed though is that poker and chess have some similarities in thinking process and being a chess player may actually influence your poker playing style,” he added.

Commenting on the development, PSL co-founder and Dabur Group promoter Amit Burman said, “Chess and poker are frequently compared as both games are based on strategic thinking and decision making. Both games also involve reading the other player at the table.”

PSL will have 12 city based teams competing with one another in Season 2 for a total prize money of Rs. 3.60 crores. The finale of season 2 of PSL will be held in the second half of 2018 as per an announcement made by the organisers.