Nikita Luther, India's celebrated poker player, is currently showcasing her strategic prowess on Karan Johar's reality show, "The Traitors," streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Luther, known for her analytical mind and calm demeanor under pressure, is demonstrating how skills honed at the poker table translate into navigating the complex social dynamics of the show.
Luther describes her journey on "The Traitors" as "surreal," highlighting the intense environment where strategy and social interaction take center stage. Unlike typical reality shows that thrive on drama and conflict, "The Traitors" emphasizes intelligence and psychological gameplay, making it a unique social experiment. The show's format challenges contestants to bluff, form alliances, and survive in a monitored environment, requiring participants to constantly assess trustworthiness and detect deceit.
In an interview, Luther shared that she approached "The Traitors" with a focus on intelligent gameplay rather than manufactured drama. She acknowledged that the show was different from other reality shows as it felt like a "live-action psychological experiment". The energy on set was "eerie" because of the captive reality format with suspicious silences, unexpected alliances, and tension, similar to the final table of a high-stakes game.
Luther revealed that her poker skills have been invaluable in "The Traitors," particularly in observation, misdirection, and timing. However, she emphasized that the show presents a different kind of challenge, where trust is the ultimate stake, and the other contestants' personalities add another layer of complexity. While poker is about probabilities, "The Traitors" is about possibilities and people. She initially thought she would be the one bluffing, but quickly realized that everyone was bluffing her right back. The unpredictable nature of the show, with its constant twists and turns, often led her to second-guess herself. Unlike poker, where tells and odds can be calculated, "The Traitors" required her to constantly question her instincts due to hidden motives and an ever-shifting narrative.
Luther has emphasized the importance of strategy over drama and that she "came to play the game, not for drama". According to Luther, the makers of the show stopped contestants that tried to create "that kind of drama" because "this is a show of intelligence”. She felt that it was tough as most of the contestants are actors, who are naturally good at portraying different emotions. However, her poker experience taught her about body language and how to remain unreadable, which she considers a significant advantage.
Luther noted the unique challenges of "The Traitors," such as living without a phone and being cut off from the outside world for two weeks. She also found it difficult to initially connect with some contestants, feeling like an outsider due to her non-showbiz background. She believes her silence became her power as people realized she was there to observe rather than impress.
According to Luther, Karan Johar is very different in "The Traitors" than in normal settings. She said that he was very strict and cold on set. She also mentioned that he was very involved in the show and would take breaks to go to the control room to find out what was happening.
Luther's participation in "The Traitors" has been praised for highlighting poker as a game of skill and strategy. Her presence on the show is expected to challenge stereotypes and promote a more positive perception of poker in India.
