Nikhil Arcot biography
Nikhil Arcot, known throughout the poker world as "Nik Airball," worked as an investment banker earning roughly $100,000 annually plus variable bonuses before transitioning to a full-time career built around high-stakes poker and content creation.
He burst onto the scene in 2022 on Hustler Casino Live, quickly progressing from lower-stakes games to some of the highest-profile action on the stream, and has since become one of its most polarizing and talked-about personalities, self-styling himself the "King of LA Poker." Arcot maintains that his bankroll came primarily from poker winnings rather than inheritance or other sources, once telling the Table 1 podcast, "I was lucky enough to run pretty good," though rival professional Matt Berkey and others in the poker community have publicly expressed skepticism about that account.
According to TrackingPoker.com, Arcot has recorded losses across his tracked Hustler Casino Live sessions, though his private and off-stream results are not publicly documented. He has reportedly played in private games as high as $5,000/$10,000 blinds in pot-limit Omaha, and served a year-long ban from Hustler Casino Live before returning to the show in 2025.
Career summary
"Nik Airball," a former investment banker turned polarizing Hustler Casino Live regular and self-styled "King of LA Poker."
Nikhil Arcot poker winnings
N/A - Nikhil Arcot's public track record is concentrated in livestreamed and private high-stakes cash games rather than tracked tournament results.
Nikhil Arcot playing style
A loose, high-volatility cash game player whose fast rise through the stakes has made him one of livestreamed poker's most talked-about and scrutinized figures.
Cash games
A prolific and polarizing Hustler Casino Live regular since 2022, known for progressing quickly from lower stakes to some of the biggest games in Los Angeles, reportedly reaching $5,000/$10,000 blinds in private pot-limit Omaha games.
Business & sponsorships
Previously worked as an investment banker before transitioning to a full-time poker and content career.
Nikhil Arcot Net Worth
As of November 2026, Nikhil Arcot net worth estimates range from $5 million to $10 million.
Sponsorships, business ventures and cash games, covered above, make up the rest of the picture. Tournament prize money is not the same as profit: buy-ins, staking deals and taxes are not deducted, so all net worth figures are estimates based on public reporting.
Why Nikhil matters
"Nik Airball," the former investment banker turned self-styled "King of LA Poker" whose bankroll origins have drawn public skepticism from rivals.
FAQ about Nikhil Arcot
What did Nik Airball do before becoming a poker personality?
He worked as an investment banker before transitioning to high-stakes poker and content creation.
Why is Nik Airball considered a polarizing figure in poker?
Rivals and community members have publicly questioned the source of his bankroll, and his tracked cash game results show losses despite his high-stakes reputation.
How many WSOP bracelets does Nikhil Arcot have?
Nikhil Arcot has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.