Vivek Rajkumar

Vivek Rajkumar was born in India and later moved to the United States, settling in Seattle, Washington. Before making a name in live poker, he forged a reputation as a fearless online multi-table tournament (MTT) grinder under the alias "Black Magic" (also known as "FLOG"). His online success laid the foundation for his transition to live events, where his aggressive style and deep understanding of post-flop play quickly translated into results.

Rajkumar first made a significant impact at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 2007, cashing in five events that summer. His best finish came in Event #34: $3,000 Limit Hold'em, where he placed sixth for $36,763. In February 2008, he won his first six-figure prize at the L.A. Poker Classic, taking down a $2,595 buy-in event for $113,425. Later that year, Rajkumar captured his biggest live title to date: the $10,000 World Poker Tour (WPT) Borgata Poker Open in Atlantic City, earning $1,424,500 and his first WPT champion title.

Rajkumar's WPT success continued in the following seasons. At the 2009 L.A. Poker Classic, he won the $10,000 Heads-Up Championship for $350,000. In February 2011, he came agonizingly close to a second WPT title, finishing runner-up in the $10,000 L.A. Poker Classic for $908,730. Two months later, he placed fourth in the $10,000 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars event, adding $295,800 to his bankroll. He also performed well in high roller events, notably a fourth-place finish in a $100,000 Super High Roller at the 2011 Five Star Poker Classic for $336,240. Over his active WPT career, Rajkumar recorded 35 cashes, 10 final tables, and total WPT earnings of $2,902,441.

After a hot streak from 2008 to 2011, Rajkumar stepped away from professional poker in 2011, though he continued to play select events. He cashed in the WSOP Main Event three times between 2012 and 2015 (197th in 2013, 425th in 2012, and another cash in 2014). After a four-year hiatus from the grind, he made a stunning return in August 2019 at the Triton Million for Charity in London. In that £1,050,000 buy-in event, Rajkumar finished fifth for £3,000,000 ($3,652,345), the largest cash of his career and one of the highest for an Indian-born player at the time. This score pushed his lifetime live earnings past $8 million.

Rajkumar is best known for an aggressive, pressure-oriented style that leverages positional advantage and frequent bluffing. He excels at reading opponents’ ranges and adjusting his bet sizing accordingly, a skill honed through years of online multi-tabling. His adaptability allowed him to compete successfully against elite competition on the WPT and in high rollers. Though he no longer plays full-time, Rajkumar remains a respected figure in the poker community. He was ranked second on the India All Time Money List and 219th globally at his peak. His online alias "Black Magic" is still remembered among fans of the game, and his instructional content and hand analyses have contributed to the development of many aspiring players.

Beyond his WPT and Triton successes, Rajkumar demonstrated consistency across diverse live tournaments. At the 2009 PokerStars EPT London Main Event, he finished ninth for £38,000. In the 2010 WSOP, he placed 14th in the $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship for $38,424, and 24th in a $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $25,386. His 2007 WSOP run included a 14th-place finish in a $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em with rebuys event for $45,173. These results underscore his ability to adapt to various formats and buy-in levels.

Rajkumar's World Poker Tour career is highlighted by his 2008 Borgata Poker Open victory and runner-up finish in the 2011 L.A. Poker Classic. Over his WPT tenure, he accumulated 35 cashes, 10 final tables, and total earnings of $2,902,441. Notable deep runs include a fourth-place in the 2011 Bay 101 Shooting Star ($295,800), a 10th-place in the 2008 North American Poker Championship ($49,450), and a 13th-place in the 2009 Festa al Lago ($39,760). His WPT points total reached 3,000, placing him among the most consistent performers on the tour during his active years.