Playing for prosperity

Diwali, the festival of lights, is famous for its diya-decked homes, fireworks and night-long card parties. This is a ritual that has been alluded to in mythology as well, for it is said that gambling on Diwali night brings prosperity. With games varying from teen patti and poker to rummy, people all across the country prepare to stack and shuffle and gamble the night away.

For me, card parties start 15 days prior to Diwali. Every day, there is some party or the other at a friend’s place, where we all meet and play poker, rummy, listen to music and enjoy until the wee hours of the morning. It is the time I get to meet and enjoy with all my friends, bringing out the true sense of festivity.
 — Suman Saraf, entrepreneur

Suman Saraf

Generally, I wait for Diwali to come to enjoy a great session of cards with my friends and family. I am a big cards person but this year it will be a quiet one, as I have lost someone very dear to me.
— Bobby Khandari, entrepreneur

Bobby Khandari

During Diwali there are lots of things happening at the same time. But the one thing which has remained a constant for years is playing cards with friends and family. I enjoy teen patti the most, but nowadays many variations of the game have come up and these not only engage your brain but also assure the winner a lot of prize money. Good or bad fortune, it’s all in fun mode for me this Diwali.
— Sunila Eti, entrepreneur

Sunila Eti

I am not much of a card player myself, but I do enjoy watching people play. It is entertaining to watch my friends racking their brains over which card to play next.
— Cherry Pestonji, entrepreneur

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