From Football to Poker
Adam admits his first encounter with poker came through working with PokerStars on a football show. Initially, it was just a YouTube project, but a series of home online games during COVID developed into serious interest. “Suddenly I was attending live events, learning from coaches, and feeling like I had to get better,” he says.
Today, he has a few successes under his belt, including ITM at the EPT and a third-place finish in Brighton, where he played the final table alongside Spraggy and Dominik Nitsche. Altogether, he has 13 ITM finishes recorded on HendonMob and claims that the tournament format suits him best, though he enjoys a cash game with friends.
McKola credits his passion for poker and gradual successes to his good friend Spraggy, whom he has known for years. Spraggy opened the doors to the PokerStars HQ, where Adam was warmly welcomed as an ambassador. Spraggy often streamed online while playing alongside McKola, and they also met in person at the UKIPT Brighton, where McKola finished third and Spraggy won the event.
Life Beyond the Cameras and the Table
When not talking about football or trying his luck in a tournament, Adam loves to travel. Barbados, Goa, or American cities during United’s summer tours – he seizes every opportunity to explore new places. As a youth, he played football as a left winger and in defense. Today, he no longer plays actively but thoroughly enjoys the match atmosphere. Traveling is his escape, just like poker, which he sees as a mental challenge and a break from the football world.
Manchester United – A Heartfelt Affair
Although he hails from Birmingham, his heart has always beat for Old Trafford since childhood. This love for United was passed down from his father, and they have attended matches together since Adam was young. His YouTube channel started as a side project but eventually became a full-time job.
McKola openly discusses the joys and frustrations associated with the club: from the legendary era of Sir Alex Ferguson to current challenges with managers and owners. “Manchester will never be blue,” he adds with a smile, referring to the city rival.
“A Feeling Like a Goal in the 90th Minute”
For Adam, poker is as emotional as football. “When you hit the card you need on the river, it feels like scoring a last-minute goal,” he describes. At tournaments, he can be as passionate as he is on the stands. Yet he admits that even a successful result can be overshadowed by the feeling of “what if”. In this context, he recalls the PSPC in the Bahamas, where he lost a crucial hand for the chiplead: “I was in paradise, playing the biggest tournament of my life, enjoying a beautiful vacation, but due to that one hand, it felt like the worst day of my life.”
A Look into the Future
McKola wants to grow in the poker world while staying authentic – whether in front of the camera or at the table. He is excited about team formats and believes analytical broadcasts could make poker more appealing to viewers, similar to football studios. In his personal life, he hopes to continue traveling and sharing stories that inspire his fans. Whether at the stadium or the final table, one thing is certain – his passion for the game and the club remains unwavering.
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