What happens when the game that gave you freedom no longer inspires you the way it once did? In the premiere episode of Face Up with Ivy Teves, Nipun Java opens up about his journey from engineer to professional poker player, making WSOP history, and the changing relationship with a game that shaped his life.
Beyond the bracelets and tournament results, Nipun reflects on the obsession that drove his early career and what happened when that passion began to fade. He shares why mental resilience matters so much in poker, how younger players approach the game without fearing its biggest names, and why studying when you’re winning can be just as important as working through a downswing.
The conversation also moves beyond the table: meaningful travel, authentic connections, finding a daily routine, and exploring a future that doesn’t revolve around the next tournament. If you’ve ever lost motivation for something you once loved, questioned your career path, or wondered what comes after achieving your goals, this conversation will resonate beyond poker.
In this episode:
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From engineering to professional poker
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Making history as the first India-born WSOP bracelet winner
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The friendships behind his favourite poker memory
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Confidence, mental resilience, and handling losses
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Losing the urge to grind and finding new interests
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Identity, freedom, and life beyond poker
Face Up with Ivy Teves brings you honest conversations with the people behind the poker results. Subscribe to SpadePoker for more episodes, player interviews, tournament coverage, and stories from across the poker world.
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