From the Field to the Felt: Sports Stars Who Excel in Poker

10.02.2025

The nature of being a professional athlete begets a competitive bug that simply just doesn’t go away upon retiring from a career in sports.

Most athletes have found a home in poker and play at different levels. Some have fully transitioned whilst others employ it as a pastime.

The strategic allure of the game mirrors what most were used to for decades in their respective careers.

Its competitiveness is also on par with other sports because it is a game of wits and trying to get one over your opponents.

Most athletes who have transitioned fully to poker play at various tournaments and events, while others use sports betting sites to play the game.

The Competitive Edge: Why Athletes Turn to Poker

There are parallels between snooker and professional sports, more mental than physical in nature.

Poker’s nature prompts former professional athletes to summon the same mental gymnastics they were accustomed to.

When playing poker they have to be calculated and weigh their options before taking any decision like they would normally do.

They also have to utilize risk management like how a footballer would have to before making a back pass to the goalkeeper.

These and other things such as mental resilience, because poker does really test an individual, are some of the alluring things that draw them to the game.

In gist, an athlete’s inherent nature to continue competing post-retirement from their respective careers is a real driving force.

Some go into coaching, others punditry, but for those who still want to compete intensely but in a much more flexible industry, poker is the go to.

Top Athletes who Play Poker

Below we feature four former athletes and one who is nearing retirement looking at his injuries and recent return to his homeland, who have transitioned from their respective sports to poker.

Champions in their former professions and some often heralded as some of the greats, all gave into the poker bug.

Richard Seymour (NFL)

American Football is probably one of the most physically intense sports in the world and former NFL champion Richard Seymour transitioned seamlessly from that to poker.

Seymour has made significant returns. An estimated $600,000 and competed in the industries top tournaments such as the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure High Roller event.

Boris Becker (Tennis)

One of the more recognizable former sports stars who swiftly transitioned to poker, Boris Becker wasted no time following his retirement from tennis and secured lucrative ambassadorial roles from PokerStars.

Neymar Jr. (Soccer)

Neymar’s passion for poker is like no other and he is said to be considering taking it up professionally post-retirement from football.

His is also associated with PokerStars as an ambassador and has made decent money in his poker endeavors.

Michael Phelps (Swimming)

It is a no brainer that Michael Phelps is engaged in poker as well, considering how physically intense and demanding swimming as a sport is.

The American has participated in various live events and even played in charity matches against Hollywood A-Listers.

Gerard Piqué (Soccer)

Pique must be one the most strategic players of poker in our list because of the role he played as a defender in football, having to read the game and anticipate attacks from forwards.

The Spanish legend has competed in various poker events and went as far as second place in a No Limit Hold’em Championship tournament, and of course, he is making decent money from poker.

Skills Transfer: From Sports to Poker Success

In summation, and looking at the athletes we featured and the context of this article, certain truths come to the fore.

Professional sports infuses discipline, strategic planning and great psychological insight, all key ingredients for a successful transition from sports to poker

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