Rishi Mehta

27 | Rutgers ‘20 | Poker | Too close to the sun

[CONSEQUENCE @consequence]

Conan O'Brien used his Harvard University commencement speech to argue that humility and the human connection matter far more than any diploma.

"I always recognize the enormous role of luck in my life. Refusing to see how luck has played a role in anyone's success is simply ignorant. Many people are happy to mistake a lucky poker hand for their own brilliance, and fighting that human instinct has kept me sane.

"I honestly believe that community, spontaneity, and a real commitment to humility has helped me build a rich life that means much more to me than any diploma. And believe me, I'm not saying the goal is to renounce accomplishments, but rather to metabolize them. If you carry your victories lightly, other qualities –- kindness, originality, courage, humor, and humanity –- have room to emerge.

"Maybe the greatest lessons I've learned along these lines have been through my 24 travel shows. I have degraded myself in Cuba, Ghana, Korea, Armenia, half of Europe, Argentina, Thailand, Mexico, and Greenland, where I visited a real estate office and tried to buy the country. When I travel to another land, every quality I have discussed -- community, adaptation, and a sincerely humble approach -- are all necessary. When you don't speak the language, no one truly cares where you went to college, and you have no choice but to make friends.

"It's on these travels that I learned a great lesson: let yourself be bad at things. I have been a bad dancer in every country I have visited. But the people laugh because it turns out everyone everywhere is related to at least one terrible dancer. For me, humility on these trips can easily lead to humiliation, which is also a useful tool.

"Three weeks ago, I visited Amsterdam, dressed up as Van Gogh, and forced my way into the Van Gogh Museum, where I started loudly demanding a cut of the merchandising because I made no money during my lifetime. Guards forcibly ejected me. I was roundly mocked by patrons for my pathetic display. But I did see a lot of smiles. And not one person said, now that's a Harvard grad.

"In Tokyo, I met with a teacher of Japanese etiquette who volunteered I wasn't her type. And when I asked her why, she just said, 'face.' In Ghana, after accepting a royal invitation, I was kicked out of the Ashanti Palace by the Queen Mother, because her favorite soap opera was starting.

"I understand that I am preaching modesty and connection at a time when this is not in style. We are living through a period of extreme narcissism. Our current leadership in Washington believes that empathy is a weakness and that our nation stands supreme and alone. Add to that, everyone here today has a phone in their pocket that is algorithmically programmed to celebrate you and you alone by making you the protein-maxing hero of your own special journey.

"Much has been written about how isolated and siloed we've become, but for me, the antidote is quite simple. By de-emphasizing what makes us special — in your case, a prized degree — we can really find one another, not as an exercise in virtue, but as a path towards greater laughter, love, and real growth."

[BorgataPoker @BorgataPoker]

🔥Chip Stacks after Flight D are IN!

This is a best stack forward event and every single bag that makes Day 2 is ITM!💰

Today:
Flight E @ 11:15 AM
Flight F @ 5:15 PM

⏰Tomorrow is your last chance to get in. Start building those stacks now.

Must be 21 or Older. Bet With Your Head, Not Over It. Gambling Problems? Call 1.800.GAMBLER.

[Manosai @manosaie]

Beautiful essay on adult friendship

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

What a trip — to Kellie D. , Dave M., White(smith)house and their respective teams, tweedle dee @LucasLucasv98, and all I get to call the village that has surrounded me with support — I don’t deserve your love, but I’m honored to receive it. Thank you so much for everything.

[Kellie deCelis @PokerBabeBoss]

A little 🐦 told me there was over $7 Million in lifetime tournament earnings in tonight's $250 Nightly!
Why you might ask?
Because this event is the final race to the top of the @BetMGMPoker SPO Leaderboard!
GL Everyone!!!

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

Hahah pleasure playing with you sir! Wow he tagged tweedle dee and tweedle dum @LucasLucasv98

[DiploDoug @dafactour1]

Played in Event 59, didn't place, but it was a fun time at @BorgataPoker -Poker is unique in that a casual player can walk right in and find himself at a table with @LucasLucasv98 and @rishimehta and still manage to rake a pot or two! Look forward to doing it again! @BorgataAC

[BetMGM Poker @BetMGMPoker]

🚨WE ARE LIVE
Tun in to see @mikelavin_, @ricardoeyz222, Ryan Hohner, and more live at @BorgataPoker for Day 2 of our main event.

We've got @DarrenElias and @rishrmehta on the mic🎤

📺: https://t.co/fRb8KFZHd0

[Hey Arnold Perfect Shots @heyarnoldshots]

Craig Bartlett on the influence of Edward Hopper in Hey Arnold! (2025)

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

Super cool getting to call this FT with @twoflame_ I know Misha and Coof, ggs to both of them, congrats to Misha — well done sir. Thanks as always for the opportunity @BetMGMPoker @BorgataPoker @gorillagaming, see you back in the booth for the main.

[BetMGM Poker @BetMGMPoker]

WE HAVE OUR WINNER! Congrats to Mykhailo Lendel who took down the @BorgataPoker Almighty Stack for $147,650 + the Baby Borgata and Lion trophies 🏆🦁

🥈Rob Pagano $100,200
🥉Patrick McConnell $68,450

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

@PokerBabeBoss So long as I have you in my corner I consider myself to be winning. Thanks for all your support Kellie and for all you do.

[Kellie deCelis @PokerBabeBoss]

Yassss Rishi!!!!!!!
Nothing but Poker God Love!!
Let's Goooooooo!

[BetMGM Poker @BetMGMPoker]

@pokerorg Don’t look now but Rishi’s on a HEATER 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Keegan McCann @kmac77787]

This was by far one of my favorite interviews and articles I’ve done! Dude calls himself undeserving but when 4/5 different people come up to chat with you mid interview he has to be doing something right!

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

Underserving of something this cool but as always @pokerorg @kmac77787 showing me all the love.

https://t.co/GxwNgmVBHj

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

@pokerorg @BetMGMPoker @BorgataPoker Now I can afford a power bank

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

Found a mini win after an awesome time commentating — thanks as always for the love and ty for treating me like family @BetMGMPoker @BorgataPoker @pokerorg

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

@Joeingram1 @twoflame_ @BetMGMPoker @BorgataPoker @pokerorg Truly means a lot dude thanks so, so much. You’re a part of the collective that shaped my cultural purview in poker thank you for your part in getting me here

[Rishi Mehta @rishrmehta]

Had a blast in the booth with the one and only @twoflame_! Shoutout @BetMGMPoker @BorgataPoker @pokerorg who show me so much love, appreciate you all sincerely

[BorgataPoker @BorgataPoker]

Who's walking away with the title of Borgata Spring Poker Open 2026 Event#1 Champ? 👑🏆

Must be 21 or Older. Bet With Your Head, Not Over It. Gambling Problems? Call 1.800.GAMBLER.

[LEGION | Joey Ingram 🐉 @Joeingram1]

@rishrmehta @twoflame_ @BetMGMPoker @BorgataPoker @pokerorg checked it out and was enjoying the commentary

nice work by you and @twoflame_

[Chip Leader Coaching @clcpoker]

Alex Foxen continues to DOMINATE with his 13th PGT High Roller win.

$10k U.S Poker Open Event #7 ✅

$210,000 ✅

🐐 ✅

@WAFoxen