Go Ninja Go: Recent WSOP.com Circuit Winner Krishna Kalidas Heads to Las Vegas
By day, Krishna Kalidas works as a respected IT professional in the retail industry. But by night Kalidsa transforms into “NinjaGO” – grinding it out in the New Jersey online poker fields.
One night after work, the Somerset resident kicked back to relax and caught a broadcast of the World Series of Poker Main Event on ESPN. The data began processing in Kalidas’s head and a new passion in life was born.
“I watched poker on TV one day and have been hooked ever since,” he says. “I love the competitive and skill side of poker including all the trick plays and bluffs.”
Over the summer, NinjaGO took his game to the next level and went on a rush – cashing in nine events in the WSOP Online. The highlight came on July 13 when Kalidas finished fifth in Event 13: $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Freezeout for $23,124.
It’s been quite a run for Kalidas and he recently spoke with USPoker about his life as a Garden State online grinder.
Ninja in training
The WSOP rush didn’t end there for Kalidas however. NinjaGO went on to grab his first WSOP Circuit ring in August, taking down the first event for $23,127.
“After having a couple deep runs this summer, it was nice to close out with my first ring,” he says. “I have been playing well and working hard, so it feels nice to win this one.”
Since the summer, Kalidas has kept up his winning ways with no signs of slowing down. He is closing in on $500,000 in online tournament winnings. Here’s a look at some other recent online cashes:
- $100 WSOP.com Player Appreciation (September 2021) – second for $12,290
- $525 WSOP.com Caesars Circuit (September 2021) – fifth for $16,230
- $109 partypoker Daily 10k (October 2021) – third for $2,860
- $55 WSOP.com Weekly 10k (October 2021) – first for $2,850
After racking up some nice scores, some players might let ego get the best of them. But Krishna has decided to up the ante on his study game.
“Even though I ran deep in the WSOP series and went into the final table with a lot of chips, I ended up busting after playing a few hands incorrectly,” he says.
“I realized I needed to get some help to review my hands. I reached out to Matt Stout and we scheduled a coaching session, which I would say helped improve my game.”
Next stop? Las Vegas
Kalidas continues to study by watching training videos. He’s now preparing for his next poker adventure – playing in the WSOP in Las Vegas.
“I am planning to be in Vegas by the end of October through the beginning of November,” he says.” I’m already registered to play the Mini Main Event and few others, may even play the Main Event if I satellite into it.”
NinjaGO now heads to Sin City to complete a vision that started one late night watching television after work. He’s hoping there will be a second interview this fall.
“I am hoping to talk to you again,” he says, “after winning my first bracelet soon.”
* Lead image background courtesy PokerGO