If You Play Poker in India, This is the Man You Should Be Thanking – The Legacy of Phil Sanders

Remembering Phil Sanders

He is the man who changed the shape of the Indian Poker Industry, the one who all poker players in India owe a great debt. Philip Sanders not only gave the Indian Poker scene a revamp, but he also took it to new heights of profits and showmanship with his more than a decade of experience and expertise in the casinos, providing the necessary drive to propel poker in India.

It was when Phil was working as a junket operator for clients in Asia that he first started his association with India. Realizing that Goa was becoming the favorite vacation spot in India, with foreign visitors choosing to seek entertainment in Goa more than anywhere else in India, Sanders came and settled in Goa, working with Goa Coastal Resorts and Recreation India as a Consultant.

Working with Casino Royale in Goa, Phil Sanders spearheaded the first official poker room in India. He also reached out to his close associate, Craig Wildman, to help him revolutionize the game of skill in the subcontinent. Wildman was hired as the Manager and in-house Tournament Director and the pair soon transformed the poker scene in India with their tenacious planning and steadfast discipline, ensuring international standards of playing in their casinos.

A few years ago, on 23rd October 2015, Phil Sanders breathed his last as he succumbed to cancer at his home in Birmingham, England. He may be gone, but his endeavors in reshaping the poker industry in the Indian subcontinent will forever be remembered and treasured.

Sanders adjudged that there were huge advantages in hosting live tournaments in the casinos and thoroughly encouraged poker tournaments to be held at the Casino Royale. This slowly saw the rise of participants and emboldened many a youngster to polish their game and become professional poker players. His foresight made Casino Royale the only place to go for playing poker tournaments in India.

Many renowned first-generation professional poker players like Abhishek Goindi, Sangeeth Mohan and Aditya Sushant, etc. owe Phil Sanders their start. Phil was highly influential in having the Asian Poker Tour (especially the Main Event of the Asian Poker Tour India 2012) being hosted in India, not just once but twice! The Asian Poker Tour is Asia’s most prestigious poker tournament and has been successfully running since 2008 in various countries like the Philippines, Macau, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Australia, London, New Caledonia, and Cambodia.

Along with being a master businessman, Phil Sanders was also a very accomplished poker player, having shipped many reputable tournaments, including the 5K Freezeout and the 250k High Roller at the APT Asian Series Goa 2011 and the Indian Poker Pros IPP Feb 2012 Event. Sanders’ biggest tournament win came in 2011 at the APT Asian Series Goa where he bagged ₹12.35 Lacs at the 250k High Roller event.

Phil Sanders was working with Casino Carnival but had to quit when he suffered some serious health issues for which he had to make regular trips back to the United Kingdom for his treatment. But, cancer ultimately claimed the legend.

Many poker players in India still remember Philip ‘Phil’ Sanders for his role and his innumerable contributions to the Indian Poker Industry, always complimenting his soft-spoken nature and calm temperament.

We remember Phil Sanders.