India, Aug. 14 -- At 79, Pushpa Singh is playing. One rainy evening, a table at her apartment complex in Ghaziabad is at the centre of a koat pees, or court piece, tournament. A newspaper is spread across it, partly covered by mobile phones, glasses, and keys. Around the table, players are sitting with their cards as others watch behind them.

Singh stands by the table for a quick photo, holding her cards in a fan. She is in the semi-final. She has already played three rounds this week, with her neighbour Priya Sachan as her partner. "Only a few of us koat pees dhurandhars (champions) are left, the rest are out," she says.

If Singh and her partner win, the final will be played later that night. The winners will receive their prizes on Au...