Professional Footballers Turned Poker Players

Football, like many sports, is a game of adrenaline. It makes sense, therefore, that many of its players seem to be risk-takers who enjoy high-octane thrills. This could explain why so many footballers have turned to gambling, sometimes during their careers to let off a bit of steam, and in other cases taking on a second career in gambling after they retire. Here are the three most notable examples of footballers who turned to one of the most exciting games around – poker.

Former Manchester United, Tottenham and England striker Teddy Sheringham began playing poker during the later years of his football career. He then proceeded to play full-time after retiring in 2002. He made a name for himself in 2009 after finishing 14th in the World Series of Poker Main Event, and since then has won over $298,000 in poker tournaments.

Tony Cascarino is a former international player for the Republic of Ireland. A man with a lifelong fondness for gambling and card games, Cascarino turned this interest into success on the poker table when he started playing professionally in 2006. His first major title was won at the 2009 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour Grand Final, where he also took home $283,000. His total poker earnings thus far amount to $589,000. Click here if you want to reach the same online!

The biggest success story of all is thought to be that of Scandinavian Jan Vang Sorensen. Having won his first World Series of Poker Bracelet in 2002, he went on to win a second in 2005 and later triumphed at the 2008 Master Classics of Poker main event. He has earned over $2 million from his participation in poker tournaments.

With so many footballers successfully turning their careers to poker after they retire from the beautiful game, don’t be surprised if more and more professional sportsmen start to try their hand at the poker tables.