Sensei Nik Persaud

Name

Nik Persaud

Online Moniker

reraiseallin

Belt

Background

Currently hurtling towards his late thirties (although, admittedly, he could be stopped for cigarettes), Nik has been playing for several years, starting off life as an STT grinder on Ladbrokes before developing into one of the online world's most formidable players under the alias 'reraiseallin'.

Nik has also partaken in a number of televised events, including the 2009 series Late Night Poker. His most impressive performance on the small screen came in 2006 when he won both his heat and semi-final of the European Open III in Maidstone before finishing fifth in the final for $25,000. En route to the final, he defeated the likes of Ian Frazer and Thomas Bihl.

These days, he plies his trade predominantly online, frequently in heads-up games on a number of different sites and at varying stakes. When he's not in front of his monitor, he can be found partaking in the ring-games at the Palm Beach Casino in London.

Credentials

Unlike many online pros, Nik is equally skilled at the live felt, two unfortunate final table bubbles in GUKPT main events being proceeded by a remarkable run which saw him hit three final tables in the space of four months, including a second in the Manchester GUKPT for £52,530. He was also one of the best talents to have come out of the now defunct Gutshot Poker Club. At time of writing, Nik boasts $334,944 in live tournament winnings and sits in 22nd in the GUKPT's all-time ranking list.

In November, 2010, Nik picked up his first title, topping a tough field that included Jeff Kimber and Vicky Coren to be crowned the World Heads-Up Champion at the Grosvenor Victoria. In the process, he defeated good friend Toby Lewis, before toppling Leon Louis in the final to collect the £30,000 first prize. At time of writing, Nik has just short of $400,000 in live tournament winnings and sits in 26th in the GUKPT's all-time ranking list.

Nik possesses one of the shrewdest minds on the circuit and is a true student of the game, discussing hands and theories with his peers to an almost obsessive extent. As well as writing a monthly strategy column for Bluff Europe Magazine, he is often featured as a speaker at various Boot Camps across the country - including Poker in the Park in London - and as commentator alongside Jesse May on Matchroom Sport televised poker shows. Armed with an unrelenting enthusiasm and a chasm of knowledge, Nik has quickly become one of poker's most popular voices and a gem of the mentoring world.