Paul Pierce: The NBA Star Who Found His Passion in Poker
Paul Pierce, the legendary Boston Celtics player and NBA Hall of Famer, found a new passion after hanging up his basketball shoes: poker. Known on the court as a relentless scorer, at the table Pierce has become recognized for his relaxed demeanor, charismatic table presence, and appetite for high-stakes action. He’s appeared on televised shows like Poker After Dark and Hustler Casino Live, squaring off against both amateurs and seasoned pros. While his run in the 2014 Main Event at the World Series of Poker didn’t result in a cash, it only fueled his love for the game.
Pierce sees poker not just as competition, but also as entertainment and a social outlet. His natural gift for conversation and reading opponents, paired with his willingness to gamble, have made him a fan favorite in the poker world. Although his love for poker has sparked some controversy, including his high-profile departure from ESPN after a live stream, Pierce remains true to his own philosophy: “Even when I lose, I win.” Poker is now another arena where he brings the signature competitiveness and personality that made him famous as an athlete.
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Boris Becker: Tennis Champion Turned Poker Enthusiast
Boris Becker, six-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one in tennis, found a whole new outlet for his competitive spirit after stepping away from the courts. Famed for his aggressive play and unbreakable focus on the tennis court, Becker brought those same qualities to the felt. The German champion has played in numerous international poker tournaments, earning more than $100,000 in live winnings. Beyond battling it out himself, he’s served as a brand ambassador for major poker names like PokerStars and partypoker, helping promote the game to a broader audience.
Richard Seymour: From the NFL Gridiron to the Poker Table
Richard Seymour, former NFL star and three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, is one of the most successful athletes to make a serious transition to professional poker. Although he discovered poker during his football playing days, it was only after retiring that he truly dedicated himself to the game. His blend of discipline, patience, and the ability to read people has proven to be the perfect toolkit for tournament poker. Seymour’s biggest success came at the 2019 Main Event of the World Series of Poker, where he cracked the top 2% out of more than 8,500 players. He finished in 131st place for a payout of nearly $60,000, and since then, his winnings have surpassed $600,000.
Gerard Piqué: Another Footballer Taking the Poker World by Storm
Gerard Piqué, long-time FC Barcelona defender and pillar of the Spanish national team, dove into poker with the same intensity he once brought to the pitch. His passion for this strategic game goes far beyond just a casual hobby; Piqué is a regular at major European Poker Tour events, especially those held in his home city of Barcelona. There, in 2019, he claimed his biggest score, finishing runner-up in a €25k NLH High Roller event and pocketing nearly 353.000€.
Piqué’s poker record is no fluke. Back in 2017, he signaled his potential by finishing fifth in another prestigious Barcelona event and collecting over 129.000€. With total recorded earnings north of $738,000, Piqué stands as one of the most successful athletes on the international poker circuit.
Michael Phelps: The Olympic Legend Making Waves in Poker
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, turned to poker as a new source of competitive thrill after his storied swimming career. It was his close friend and pro player Jeff Gross who introduced him to the game. Phelps was instantly drawn to poker’s depth and strategy, finding similarities to the endless hours of training in the pool. Although he’s never played poker full-time as a professional, he’s a regular face at high-profile tournaments and cash games, earning respect in the poker community along the way.
Phelps’ passion was especially clear at the 2008 World Series of Poker when he was spotted on the rail supporting friends and even playing himself. He’s remained active on the tournament circuit since, and between 2022 and 2024, he scored several successes, including his first official live win in a No Limit Hold'em Bounty event in Las Vegas. While it was a smaller buy-in, the victory held special symbolic value for Phelps. Poker has become his mental challenge and competitive adrenaline rush, helping him stay sharp even after the end of his remarkable athletic career.
Poker: The Next Challenge for Elite Athletes
For many professional athletes, retirement doesn’t mean the thrill of competition and adrenaline has to stop. Quite the opposite: countless former stars are turning to poker as a new arena for self-realization. The game offers them excitement, strategic battles, and mental stimulation reminiscent of their sporting pasts, yet in a completely new setting where different skills are pushed to the forefront. Whether it’s footballers, tennis pros, basketball legends, or Olympic champions, their discipline, determination, and competitive fire regularly translate into poker success. For these sporting greats, poker isn’t just recreation, it’s a genuine, ongoing challenge that keeps them hungry to win, this time on an entirely new playing field.
