Retiring from pro sports comes with its fair share of complications and it is no wonder that most retired stars end up doing totally different things. Sports stars often end up at poker tables soon after they retire. One of the main reasons why most of them prefer poker is its simplicity.
Poker is easy to learn and unlike professional sports, it does not take a toll on the body. Even though players do not need to exert themselves physically, poker is not boring. It is mentally stimulating and competitive.
Rakeback is a great incentive to play poker as well. The possibility of having a part of the rake refunded improves player profits. A good poker rakeback deal can save you thousands of dollars. Here are a few sports stars who play poker.
- Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique is a great football player who loves poker too. The Spanish defender has won most things that can be won in football including Championship League titles and a World Cup for Spain.
The star loves poker but has no contractual obligation. He lives in Barcelona which happens to host the world’s biggest poker series; EPT Barcelona. He has been winning lots of money and in 2017, he made €25,500 for $152,467 for a buy-in high roller event.
Even though this Spanish star has only been in the poker scene since 2011, he has already managed to make $275,000. He is still active in football and the future seems to be bright for him.
- Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima
This sports star, also known as ‘Brazilian Ronaldo’, is one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has earned more than 200 goals for his country and club, and helped Brazil win two world cups. Once his football career was over, Ronaldo befriended Andre Akkari, a famous poker pro who helped him get in the game. Ronaldo was eventually signed as a star for PokerStars.
Being signed by PokerStars was just the first step. Ronaldo’s deep run in 2015 was a shock to everyone. He started with a field of 816 and made it to the last 26 players before being sent to the rail. The star took home $42,180 in this tournament. In the next year, he took home a modest score bringing his total tournament earnings to $50,000.
- Fatima Moreira de Melo
If you are a fan of hockey, you probably know about Fatima Moreira de Melo. She is not only successful in field hockey but also in professional hockey. She is one of the most successful athletes to transition into poker. In 2006, Fatima Moreira de Melo won gold for the Dutch squad in the world cup. In 2008, she won an Olympic gold medal.
Once Fatima retired from field hockey, she managed to catch the interest of PokerStars. She was signed to the longest contract the company has even offered a retired athlete. Aside from being a fierce and strong-willed competitor, Fatima is outspoken. She is an amazing ambassador of poker all around the world.
Fatima has not just had one major score. She has spread her wins over the years. The star’s consistency is what makes her special. She has managed to earn cashes on the Masters of Poker in Amsterdam, EPT, and WSOP.
- Audley Harrison
This outspoken British athlete was the first one to win a gold medal in the super heavyweight division of the 2000 Olympics. Over the years, Audley went on to have other highlights in his career. His stint in poker was successful as well. In 2007, he finished second in a $2,500 Bellagio Cup III side Event. In 2019, Audley Harrison posted his biggest score. He finished third for $90,298 at the Venetian. Recently, Audley Harrison trained Antonio Esfandiari, a poker pro, for a much-anticipated boxing match. Esfandiari managed to win against Kevin Hart.
- Orel Hershiser
If you are a Dodgers fan, you will remember Orel Hershiser, the three-time All-Star pitcher. His career lasted from 1983 to 2000. In 1988, he completed the season having pitched 59 scoreless innings.
He beat Don Drysdale, another popular Dodger. Upon retirement, Hershiser became a PokerStars ambassador. He came fifth at the NBC National winning in 2008 and won $75,000. Over the years, he made $23,000 in poker circuits. The star’s live earnings are in the range of $98,600.
- Richard Seymour
Richard Seymour is a three-time Super Bowl champion, and he has been in seven pro Bowls. The star started his career in the University of Georgia and is now considered one of the world’s top draft picks of all time. His profession took off after being signed by the Patriots.
Even though Richard Seymour has been playing poker for some time, he started to really shine in 2014. He has been in the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tours. In 2018, the star won $376,360 after placing third in a Roller event. His total current winnings from poker are $640,843.
- Marti Kampmann
Poker and MMA have always had a close relationship and Martin Kampmann managed to shine in both. Many MMA stars enjoy poker. They include Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, and Forrest Griffen. Bruce Buffer, a UFC announcer, joined the poker table as well.
However, few MMA stars have done as well in poker as Marti Kampmann. The Danish star has been exceptional. He was coached by Jason Somerville, a popular TV poker streamer. He went on to win the Nevada Poker Challenge. The star has earned about $54,540 from poker.
- Boris Baker
This legendary tennis star is one of the many who joined poker after retirement. PokerStars offered him sponsorship after his career. Fortunately, the tennis star parlayed this deal into major winnings. He made significant scores on the European Poker Tour hosted by PokerStars. However, he made the biggest win from the World Poker Tour.
In 2009, he finished 40th in the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Championship. Even though it isn’t much in comparison to his tennis earnings, it is a great boost to his retirement plan. Tennis is a lot like poker and it is no wonder that Boris Baker managed to do so well. Both poker and tennis demand mental alertness and a competitive spirit.
