iWorld
PSL 7 shuffles the deck with influencers, free entry and a high-stakes Goa finale
MUMBAI: India’s most high-stakes, high-drama poker league is back. Poker Sports League (PSL) — billed as the world’s largest poker league — has shuffled up and dealt out its plans for Season 7, promising a mind-sport spectacle of skill, grit, and serious gameplay. With PokerBaazi as title sponsor and JioHotstar as official streaming partner, the league is going all-in with a raft of upgrades and innovations.
From free-to-enter qualifiers and influencer-led showdowns to the introduction of mandatory female poker pros and a franchise revenue-sharing model, PSL is betting big on inclusion, digital scale, and edge-of-your-seat action.
Speaking on the synergy with PokerBaazi and JioHotstar, Poker Sports League CEO & co-founder, Pranav Bagai said, “With PokerBaazi’s credibility in competitive poker and JioHotstar’s extensive digital reach, PSL Season 7 is well-positioned to reach a wider, more engaged audience. This season brings together scale, skill, and immersive storytelling to elevate the profile of poker as a mind sport in India. By combining strategic gameplay with high-quality digital content, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the broader mind sports ecosystem in the country.”
“Each season of PSL is rooted in our commitment to innovation and inclusion. Season 7 introduces several firsts, from mandatory female poker pros and influencer showdowns to a new revenue sharing model for franchises and a massive finale in Goa. This is more than just competition, it’s a celebration of poker as a modern, mind-driven sport. We invite poker players and fans across the country to be a part of this journey.” Bagai added.
What’s new this season?
● 8 franchise teams battle it out for poker supremacy (soon to expand to 9)
● Revenue-sharing model makes PSL India’s first league to give franchisees a cut
● Mandatory female pros on every team – a strong push for representation
● Influencer face-offs – bringing creators and celebs into the mix
● Live-streamed matches on JioHotstar, including qualifiers, auctions and the grand finale
● 5-day finale in South Goa, loaded with high-stakes drama and resort glamour
Following a blockbuster Season 6 that clocked 20,927 unique participants, Season 7 is now live on PokerBaazi with daily free qualifiers running from 25 June to 3 August. Players can compete in up to 8 events, climb the leaderboard, and land in the top 40 for a shot at the auction, with a base bid of Rs 50,000 and a confirmed team spot.
Baazi Games founder and CEO, Navkiran Singh commented, “PSL introduces a unique team format for Poker and has grown quite popular over the years. As a mind sport that demands strategy, skill, and composure, Poker is on the rise, and we believe Season 7 will build on this momentum to take the sport to new heights.”
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iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
