Leading Footballers Excelling in Poker
In the world of professional sports, retirement often marks the end of a glorious career. However, for some former footballers, the end of their playing days doesn't signal the end of their earning potential. A growing number of these athletes are turning to poker as a second career, leveraging the strategic thinking, risk management, and psychological skills they honed on the pitch.
David Levi, a former Israeli footballer who played for Hapoel Ramat Gan, has amassed a impressive $2.6 million in career earnings playing poker live. His success includes multiple cash finishes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and on the World Poker Tour.
Another notable figure is Jan Vang Sorensen, a former Danish footballer, who has raked in an estimated $2 million through poker. Sorensen's poker achievements include winning two WSOP bracelets in 2002 and 2005.
One of the most intriguing stories belongs to Teddy Sheringham, a former England international striker who scored 288 goals during his prestigious football career. After his career was ended suddenly due to injury, Sheringham sought a career playing cards. He earned €93,121 by finishing 5th at the €5,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event in the EPT Vilamoura.
Not all former footballers have found success in poker, but the skill overlap between the two fields suggests that it can be a viable pursuit for those who develop the game skillset. For instance, Tomas Brolin, a former Swedish footballer who played for Parma in Italy's Serie A, has been active on the professional poker scene since 2006.
Ronaldo, the World Cup winning Brazilian striker, also dabbled in poker, winning $42,180 at a PokerStars event in the Bahamas. Poli Rincon has earned a small fortune playing online and reached money finishes at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and Estrellas Poker Tour.
While specific examples of former professional footballers who transitioned into poker are not detailed in the search results, the skill overlap suggests it can be a viable pursuit for some. Gerard Pique, a Barcelona defender and Spanish international, won $56,000 at the Barcelona leg of the European Poker Tour, and Vikash Dhorasoo won $187,887 at the $2,200 Barrier Poker Tour in 2010.
Tony Cascarino, a former English footballer, has also found success in poker, with total earnings through the game estimated to be in excess of $589,000. He won $293,000 in the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour.
In conclusion, while the majority of retired footballers move into business or media, a few may choose poker due to its strategic nature and earning potential once they develop the necessary skills. The poker professional community includes individuals who have made millions playing high-stakes games and can return to the game after breaks thanks to their developed skillset. However, exact prominent cases of footballers turned full-time poker pros are not covered in the search data and would require individual verification.
- Some former footballers, like David Levi and Teddy Sheringham, have shifted their focus to poker after retiring from professional sports, showcasing impressive earnings like $2.6 million and €93,121 respectively.
- The skill overlap between football and poker could make the latter a profitable venture for those who take the time to develop their game-playing skills, as exemplified by players like Tony Cascarino who earned over $589,000 from poker.
- Notably, former footballers Ronaldo and Jan Vang Sorensen have also tried their hand at poker, with Ronaldo winning $42,180 at a PokerStars event and Sorensen amassing an estimated $2 million through poker achievements, including two WSOP bracelets.
