Ram Vaswani Explained

Ram Vaswani
Nickname:Crazy Horse
Hometown:London, United Kingdom
Wsop Bracelet Count:1
Wsop Money Finishes:15
Wsop Main Event Best Finish Rank:None
Wpt Titles:None
Wpt Final Tables:None
Wpt Money Finishes:1
Ept Titles:1
Ept Final Tables:4
Ept Money Finishes:6
Updated:27 December 2009

Ram "Crazy Horse" Vaswani (born 1 September 1970, from Finchley, Greater London) a former professional poker player and the youngest member of The Hendon Mob, a group of professional poker players. He resides in Finchley[1] with his wife Jackie and daughter Hollie.[2]

Vaswani became a regular on the poker circuit, and due to his involvement in Late Night Poker, he also became one of the pioneers of poker on television. He is the first (and to date only) person to reach 4 European Poker Tour (EPT) final tables. The latest being at Monte Carlo 2007 (eliminated first, on the first hand)[3] [4] [5] one of those final tables bought a win, the Dublin Season 2 (2004) event. He won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2007, in the $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout event.[6]

His other televised appearances include a win in the Poker Nations Cup, and runner-up in finishes in two more televised events.[7] [8]

Poker career

Early years

Vaswani, of Indian origin, began playing cards from the age of 9, and at the age of 12, he organised a low-stakes poker game with friends on a trip to Wales. Their teacher stopped them playing, so they ended up playing for sweets instead. Vaswani has long considered seven-card stud to be the most skilful poker variant, and built up his early poker knowledge playing the £100 game at the Victoria Casino on Edgware Road.[9] [10]

Vaswani met Joe Beevers in Luton when placing bets on dog racing and they later set up a private poker game together. It was in one of these games that they met both Barny and Ross Boatman. Together, the four became known as The Hendon Mob and became regulars on the European poker tournament circuit. In the first published article on The Hendon Mob, journalist and poker expert Victoria Coren publicised Vaswani's nickname The Looks, referring to his claimed status as the best-looking of the group. Soon after, Vaswani began using the nickname Crazy Horse, sharing his nickname with the Lakota leader Tashunca-uitco.[11]

Vaswani and the rest of The Mob were invited by Nic Szeremeta to appear in the brand new Late Night Poker television series. Vaswani appeared in each of the show's 6 series, reaching the series 2 Grand Final[12] and the series 4[13] and 5[14] Semi-finals.

Vaswani's first major tournament win happened at the HFl 5,000 LIDO tournament at the Master Classics of Poker tournament in Amsterdam in 1999.[15] At the time, this was Europe's most prestigious tournament, but he was broke and had to borrow money from Joe Beevers to stake in a cash game to build up money for the entry fee.

The WSOP and beyond

Vaswani first finished in the money of a World Series of Poker (WSOP) event in the 2001 $3,000 no limit Texas hold 'em event won by Erik Seidel.[16] The next year, he had a 3rd-place finish in the $2,000 limit hold 'em event,[17] and a 2nd-place finish in the $2,000½ hold 'em – 1/2 seven-card stud event.[18] He made three final tables in the 2004, with his best finish being 3rd place in the $3,000 no limit hold 'em event.[19] In 2007, Vaswani became the first member of the Mob to win a WSOP bracelet, winning $217,438 in the $1,500 limit hold 'em shootout event.[20]

The following year, he made the final table of the $10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Lo Split event, finishing 7th. His most recent WSOP cash was in the Main Event of the 2009 World Series of Poker Europe, where he finished 15th and earned £40,481 ($66,738 at the time of the event).

Vaswani has also made 4 final tables on the European Poker Tour (EPT). In the first season, he won the Dublin event and finished 2nd to Noah Boeken in the Copenhagen event. In the second season, he finished 5th in Deauville. He also made the final table of the Season 3 Main Event, where he finished 8th. His EPT final table tally is double the next best total, held several other players, including Marc Karam, Marcel Lüske and Noah Boeken (The record belongs to Luca Pagano, who has made 6 finals tables).

His other major tournament victories include:

Vaswani was also a quarter-finalist in the 2003 World Heads-Up Poker Championship,[26] runner-up to Harry Demetriou in the 2004 Victor Chandler Poker Cup, and a finalist in the pot limit hold 'em Gaming Club World Poker Championship.[27]

He finished runner-up in the 2005 William Hill Poker Grand Prix, following a bad beat against eventual winner Phil Laak. However, commentator Lucy Rokach repeatedly laid claim to him being the best player in the 64-player field, that included former World Champion Scotty Nguyen and WSOP bracelet winners Donnacha O'Dea and Brian Wilson. (Simon Trumper has also referred to him as "the best tournament player in Europe, especially in No Limit.")[28]

As of 2009, his total live tournament winnings are exceed $3.2 million.[29] His 15 cashes at the Las Vegas WSOP account for $846,229 of those winnings.[30] [31]

Vaswani appeared in Late Night Poker Masters in late 2006 on Channel 4, in the same heat as season 6 champion Peter Costa and Willie Tann, but did not progress.[32]

Vaswani has written over 20 articles for The Hendon Mob's website,[33] and a poker lesson for Matthew Hilger's site internettexasholdem.com.[34]

Vaswani regularly plays $100–$200 no limit hold 'em online, and is sponsored by Full Tilt Poker. He has also played $200–$400 pot limit Omaha on the site, where he has won pots in excess of $160,000.[35]

Other gambling

Vaswani has been described as "an avid gambler who 'would bet on anything that moves'". This has led to him being known for having a fluctuating bankroll due to the variance in his sports betting hobby. Joe Beevers has indicated that Vaswani will often have $100,000 in his pocket one day; but it will be gone the next. Vaswani has indicated he is not too concerned about the outcome of bets he makes, so long as he has made the right decision in each case.

Vaswani is also a keen golfer,[36] and has had large financial upswings and downswings as a result of wagering on his game.[37] Also, during the 888.com Poker Nations Cup, Vaswani made numerous large wagers with the Swedish team, and staked large amounts of money on Chinese poker, which he considers to be a game of pure luck.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wilson, Des . Swimming with the Devilfish . Macmillan . 2006 . 1-4050-8952-0 . 8 May 2024 . 17 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070917180605/http://www.amazon.com/Swimming-Devil-Fish-Wilson/dp/0330443968 . live .
  2. Web site: Beevers . Joe . Joe Beevers . 13 December 2003 . The Sincerest Form of Flattery . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060813151731/http://www.thehendonmob.com/joe_beevers/the_sincerest_form_of_flattery.html . 13 August 2006 . 11 August 2006 . The Hendon Mob.
  3. Web site: European Poker Tour - EPT Dublin, No Limit Hold'em - Irish Winter Tournament Main Event . 24 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 7 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107035023/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=8316 . live .
  4. Web site: European Poker Tour - EPT Copenhagen, Main Event - No Limit Hold'em . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829032433/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=10040 . live .
  5. Web site: European Poker Tour - EPT Deauville, No Limit Hold'em - EPT Main Event . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829031302/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14280 . live .
  6. Web site: 5 July 2007 . Event 53 - $1,500 Limit Holdem Shootout 2007 World Series of Poker . 8 December 2023 . PokerNews.com . en . 8 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231208223302/https://www.pokernews.com/tours/wsop/2007-wsop/event-53-limit-holdem-shootout/ . live .
  7. Web site: Victor Poker Cup, Grand Final - No Limit Hold'em . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 24 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231124202031/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7531 . live .
  8. Web site: William Hill Poker Grand Prix, No Limit Hold'em - Grand Final . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 18 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231218035540/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14092 . live .
  9. Web site: May . Jesse . Jesse May . November 6, 2004 . Ram Vaswani – The Proper Playboy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20051129185303/http://www.cardplayer.com:80/cpeurope/archives/showarticle.php?a_id=55&m_id=7 . November 29, 2005 . 12 August 2006 . Card Player Magazine.
  10. Web site: Vaswani, Ram . Ram "Crazy Horse" Vaswani . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061017135603/http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/ramVaswani.php . 17 October 2006 . 11 August 2006 . Full Tilt Poker.
  11. Web site: Beevers . Joe . December 10, 2003 . You've Got to Start Somewhere . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060501120609/http://www.thehendonmob.com/joe_beevers/youve_got_to_start_somewhere.html . May 1, 2006 . 11 August 2006 . The Hendon Mob.
  12. Web site: Late Night Poker Series 2, No Limit Hold'em - Grand Final . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 24 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240324210759/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=672 . live .
  13. Web site: 9 September 2006 . Late Night Poker Series 4, Semi Final : The Hendon Mob Poker Database . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060909184844/http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=921 . 9 September 2006 . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob.
  14. Web site: Late Night Poker Series 5, Semi Final : The Hendon Mob Poker Database . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060828214421/http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7520 . 28 August 2006 . 28 March 2024 . Hendon Mob Poker Databae.
  15. Web site: Master Classics of Poker 1999, LIDO Tournament - No Limit Hold'em . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 11 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240111091217/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=12321 . live .
  16. Web site: 32nd World Series of Poker - WSOP 2001, Texas Hold'em (no limit) . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 6 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106050559/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3057 . live .
  17. Web site: 33rd World Series of Poker - WSOP 2002, Limit Hold'em . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 28 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328142235/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4389 . live .
  18. Web site: 33rd World Series of Poker - WSOP 2002, 1/2 Hold'em - 1/2 7 Card Stud . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 1 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240101161305/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4418 . live .
  19. Web site: 35th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2004, No-Limit Hold'em . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 24 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240324212414/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=6617 . live .
  20. Web site: Ram Vaswani's profile on The Hendon Mob . 24 December 2023 . The Hendon Mob Poker Database . en . 24 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030458/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=3 . live .
  21. Web site: European Poker Classic 2000, Pot Limit 7 Card Stud . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 28 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328143214/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=596 . live .
  22. Web site: Euro Finals of Poker 2002, European Holdem Championship . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 28 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328143232/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=999 . live .
  23. Web site: European Poker Classics 2003, Pot Limit 7 Card Stud . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 28 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328143246/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1557 . live .
  24. Web site: Midland Masters 2003, No Limit Holdem . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 28 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328143336/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1622 . live .
  25. Web site: 888.com Poker Nations Cup, No Limit Hold'em - Grand Final . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 6 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221006142736/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=18488 . live .
  26. Web site: Austrian Masters 2003, World Heads Up Poker Championships 2003 . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 20 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230220132951/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1450 . live .
  27. Web site: The Gaming Club World Poker Championship (Pot Limit Hold'em), No Limit Hold'em - Grand Final . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob . en . 28 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328143429/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=8561 . live .
  28. Web site: Anonymous . Who is Ram Vaswani? . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060427151205/http://poker.sportinglife.com/Features/story_58467.shtml . 27 April 2006 . 12 August 2006 . Poker.SportingLife.com.
  29. Web site: Ram Vaswani's profile on The Hendon Mob . 28 March 2024 . The Hendon Mob Poker Database . en . 22 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240322223203/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=3 . live .
  30. Web site: Ram Vaswani . 7 November 2009 . worldseriesofpoker.com . 11 November 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091111232433/http://www.wsop.com/players/playerprofile.asp?playerID=235 . live . Note that his cash at the 2009 WSOP Europe is listed in the table on this page, but is not included in his count of cashes or money earned.
  31. Web site: Ram Vaswani . 28 March 2024 . WSOP.com . 24 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030458/https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=235 . live .
  32. Web site: Reporter . Late Night Poker Masters – The Players . 12 August 2006 . The Hendon Mob . 6 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071006235509/http://www.thehendonmob.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10192&highlight=late+night . live .
  33. Web site: Vaswani, Ram . Articles by Ram Vaswani . 11 August 2006 . The Hendon Mob . 3 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090503083717/http://www.thehendonmob.com/ram_vaswani . live .
  34. Web site: Vaswani, Ram . Ram 2-table SnG . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060815000044/http://www.internettexasholdem.com/pokertutor/setInfo.php?siid=32 . 15 August 2006 . 11 August 2006 . www.InternetTexasHoldem.com.
  35. Web site: Expo . etal . Ram vs Luigi . 13 August 2006 . The Hendon Mob . 10 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071010051150/http://www.thehendonmob.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10850 . live .
  36. Web site: Vaswani, Ram . Ram Vaswani . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220841/http://www.worldpokertour.com/magazine/index.php?x=detail&aID=106 . 27 September 2007 . 12 August 2006 . World Poker Tour.
  37. News: Flusfeder, David . 20 August 2006 . The Predatory Thrill of Poker . . London . dead . 27 August 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071209173526/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2006%2F08%2F20%2Fbowil20.xml . 9 December 2007.

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