In 2025, KKPoker announced its popular Vegas Dream promotion would return for a third year. Offering our online poker community the chance to win a $12,000 package to play in the world’s biggest and most prestigious $10,000 buy-in Main Event in Las Vegas.

Canadian Sharath Maddur was one of the early package winners and even had the opportunity to meet fellow KK Elite Team member Christopher Alcindor at KKLIVE New Brunswick ahead of their exciting Vegas trip.

Before his long-awaited chance, Sharath, who has over 10 years of experience in bullet chess and cybersecurity, expressed how playing the Main Event has always been his poker dream and would often look for satellite tournament opportunities before finding the KKPoker Vegas Dream promotion.

Sharath’s Vegas Dream adventure took him all the way to Day 4, and like Marco Dickner, he navigated the most famous live poker Main Event tournament bubble. Fortunately, with chips on his side, Sharath successfully made it into the prize spots, winning $15,000 in 1,367th place out of the 9,735 entries!

Read on to learn how Sharath turned his dreams into reality, including how he dealt with a pre-Vegas downswing, nerves on the occasion, battling against one of online poker’s best, and some key hands!

“REMIND MYSELF I BELONGED THERE”

With such a huge opportunity facing the KKPoker Vegas Dream winners, it can be easy to overthink preparation in the weeks leading up. Practice is key to maintaining a sharp poker mind, but Sharath admitted his preparation was not ideal.

Sharath, congratulations on earning a $15,000 cash prize in the Main Event! Now you’ve had time to let the experience sink in, how are you feeling?

“I’m feeling great and grateful to have made a decent run in the Main Event. I wanted to play my best, and while there were a few spots I wish I’d played differently, overall I’m happy with my performance.” said Sharath.

“The weeks leading up to the Main Event weren’t ideal. I went through a bad downswing, which really affected my confidence. It took playing a lot of smaller live tournaments before the Main Event to get my mindset back and start playing my normal game again. That warm-up was a big help.

“Of course, I sometimes think about certain hands and wonder if I could have run deeper, but I have no real regrets. Cashing in my first Main Event ever feels pretty special.

“I was nervous playing at first. It took me a few hours on Day 1 to really feel like myself and get comfortable. Once I did, I started playing my natural game and making good reads.

“It was unlike any other live tournament I’ve played. While there were plenty of recreational players, they were no easy players; almost everyone I saw was at least a decent player. It was easy to feel like I might be the sucker at the table. I had to keep reminding myself that I belonged there and that I could outplay these players. As I started winning pots and making good decisions, my confidence grew.

“Playing with a few pros was also an amazing experience. Watching them value bet super thin and still get called by worse hands was pretty awesome. It made me understand exactly why they’re pros. Sitting at the same table as them felt very cool.”

“HE SNAPPED WITH ACES”

It took until Day 4 to reach the money. How were the first 3 days for you?

“Day 1 started rough. The first half of the day was forgettable. I got outplayed, made some questionable calls, and by the second break, I was down from 60k to 25k. Then I got a lucky double-up against a super-tight player to my left. He raised UTG for the first time all day, and I knew he had Aces or Kings. I flatted in the Big Blind with 7♦8♠, hoping to flop big.

“The flop came 7-7-5, I checked, he bet big, and I jammed. He snapped with Aces, and I held. From there, I made some good plays and finished the day at 97k.

“Day 2 was one of the most painful poker days I’ve had. I built up to 130k in the first hour, then lost two key pots to the same short stack. First, my TT lost to his AQ. Then, one orbit later, my 99 lost to his AQ again. I was down to 80k, took a few more hits and dropped to 50k by dinner. After the table broke, I doubled up when my top two pair held against a flush draw, and I ended the day with 100k.

“Day 3 was better. I was one of the shorter stacks, but I felt like myself and made some good moves, stealing pots and making a couple of big, correct calls. Towards the end of the day, it became clear I could fold my way to Day 4 and into the money. I did take one spot, 3-bet shoving QQ over a raise and getting it through, but otherwise I avoided big risks.”

Are there any other key hands that still stick in your mind?

“One that sticks out happened late on Day 2. A solid, tight player opened early to 3.5k at 1k/1.5k. I flatted in late position with A♦Q♦, about 60k deep. The flop came Q-4-7 rainbow. He c-bet 4k, I called.

“The turn was a J, and he bet 12k — I called again. The river paired the 4, no flushes or straights possible, and he bombed 32k, which would have left me just 8k if I called and was wrong.

“Against his range, I could only beat KQ, and I couldn’t see him bluffing here with air out of position. His value range looked like AA, KK, JJ, maybe QJ suited — all of which crushed me. I decided to go with my live read: he just seemed way too comfortable. I tanked and folded. Even though the solver says it’s a call, I’m proud of that fold. I think my Main Event would’ve been over if I called.

“Another hand I loved was against pro Lara Eisenberg on Day 1 after dinner. I opened 2x in middle position with AJs, she called in the Big Blind. The flop came 6-6-2, we both checked. The turn was an 8, and she led for about half-pot and I called. The river was another 8, and she overbet just more than pot. I felt like my hand was face-up, and my nitty image on that table meant she’d expect me to fold to a big bet. That made the overbet feel more like she wanted me to fold than to call. I called, and she turned over J7o for a bluff. That pot felt really good, leveling a pro is always fun.”

“TRY TO WIN A PACKAGE AGAIN”

How was your experience with the other Vegas Dream winners?

“The group and the KK team were fantastic. Great poker minds, and even though I missed the group dinner because I was still playing, I met most of them individually during the event and they were all super cool.

“We had a group chat for updates, and everyone was incredibly supportive. Chris, in particular, would stop by my table often, give me moral support, and talk through tough moments which that really helped me push through. Even the KKPoker management team took time to analyze hands with me, which was awesome.”

Any fun stories or moments to share?

“A couple of orbits after the AQ fold, I stacked the same player with TT when I flopped a set against his Aces. He played the hand exactly the same way as before, and this time I called him down. Not as fun for him, but it was pretty satisfying for me.”

What advice would you give players hoping to win a 2026 Vegas Dream package?

“KKPoker Vegas Dream event has a great format with smaller fields than most sites. Rack up as many step-satellite tickets as you can, and go aggressive on the main satellites. With multiple rebuys and five different satellites to choose from, you’ve got a real shot at winning a package.

“I want to thank KKPoker and the whole team for giving me the opportunity to live my dream of playing the Main Event. The support was incredible, and I’ll definitely be trying to win the package again next year. In the short term, I’m planning to play some big tournament satellites and more live events. I’ve got my eyes on WSOPC Montreal later this month, and hopefully I can run good and win a seat or two for its bigger events.”

BE OUR NEXT WINNER!

KKPoker will continue to provide exciting bankroll-boosting opportunities and live poker chances to our valued community!

Read more Vegas Dream stories from Christopher Alcindor, who made a deep run, and Marco Dickner, who faced the poker media spotlight in a FLIP hand for a $30,000 prize!

Stay tuned for more Vegas Dream stories coming soon. Want to follow in Sharath’s footsteps!? See the current KKPoker promotions here.