Sam Grafton and Jennifer Shahade Recall Poker Games With Soccer Stars: How Do They Handle Chips?

Celebrities hitting up poker tables is nothing new, as people like to put their skills to the test in what is the ultimate high-stakes game of skill. Famous soccer stars like World Cup winner Gerard Pique and Brazilian superstar Neymar, for example, have been known for their affinity with poker. But how do footballers stack up against professional players in a game?

In all forms of gambling, from card games to sports betting, strategy and knowledge make the difference. Punters, for example, compare odds Premier League, La Liga, or Bundesliga games offer to find value and make informed picks. Poker players do the same at the table, using skill and calculation to turn a hand into a win. But how do soccer players handle themselves against poker pros?

Why Poker Appeals

Soccer players are, by nature, competitive as it’s that drive for perfection that gets them to the top of the game. Even though individual moments of brilliance can help win games, most of soccer involves teamwork, and performing a role for the collective.

Poker, in contrast, offers the chance to put personal skills to the test. There’s no one else but you, the chips, the cards and what you do with them all. Away from the spotlight of being watched and scrutinised by supporters, poker is the kind of game that allows soccer stars to enter their own private competitive mental space.

Facing Ronaldo & Pique

Sam Grafton is one of the all-time great poker players from England, having earned more than £12 million as a professional player. Grafton has appeared in high-level events across the likes of the European Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker.

Known for his quiet level-headedness and engaging personality, Grafton is commonly seen knocking around high roller events with huge buy-ins up to $100,000. It’s an arena where his aggressive style of play has served him well.

Former Brazilian forward Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time. When poker pro-Sam Grafton sat down for a game in the Bahamas once, the legend was there opposite him. As a soccer fan, Grafton immediately recognised the Brazilian and was caught a little off guard at first.

But Grafton reports that Ronaldo, who was famed for his outrageous pace and skills in beating players one-on-one, cut a much different figure at the poker table. Ronaldo was cool and calculated and what Grafton called a “gentleman” as they battled each other. R9 even cleared Grafton out with three aces in one hand.

Pique Piques Interest

Former World Cup winner Gerard Pique is one of soccer’s all-time greatest defenders and is well known for his love of poker. The former Spain star is also another soccer player who Grafton has encountered on his poker travels. Grafton highlighted the qualities that Pique brought to the poker table, which had also made him such a powerful, respected defender like his determination, focus and stubbornness.

Lining Up With Neymar

Jennifer Shahade is a chess grandmaster who shifted gear to poker around the turn of the new century, as it offered a different type of strategic depth and competitiveness. Shahade has become a recognizable face in the world of poker, and her strategizing skills and ability to think ahead have helped her become a strong player.

Shahade’s winning personality has helped her poker celebrity grow, and she’s known for being very well spoken and engaging, and has commented on the game and hosted a poker podcast, while continuing to push for more female participation.

Once during a game in Monte Carlo, Shahade ran into one of the world’s most instantly-recognizable soccer stars, Neymar. Shahade tells of how easily the Brazilian stood out wearing a neon green suit and being adorned with gold jewellery.

The former Barcelona and PSG star had sat down at her table, which wasn’t a super high-roller game. For Shahade, Neymar’s presence was just about the competitiveness of the game and his passion for getting into the mental challenges.

The Normal Life

High-profile soccer players have a lot to deal with, as every move they make in public comes under scrutiny. The poker table is a great leveller where celebrities aren’t treated any differently from any other player. It’s all about the chips at the end of the day and the spirit of engaging in competition.

While other players at the table may get a little starstruck seeing someone like Neymar sit down, there’s no advantage that soccer players have, as their stardom doesn’t define them at the table. What does is how they handle their chips, what moves they make and how they react on the fly.