Uk-Poker.co.uk

After retiring from his or her respective sport, an athlete often pursues a career in commentary or management. Alternatively, some former sports stars enjoy extended advertising deals, whilst a handful of others will drift off into obscurity before announcing a comeback. Deviating from these tried and trusted post-stardom vehicles of success (or failure, in the case of many comeback kings – think Mike Tyson, Bjorn Borg and Niki Lauda), is a select breed of former sports stars who have chosen to take up professional poker for a living. Among the latest of these retired greats is tennis superstar, Pete Sampras, who won 14 Grand Slam titles during his career – a record that stands second only to Roger Federer.

Having earned more than $43 million during his career as a professional tennis player, Pete Sampras can easily finance his route to some of the most lucrative tables on the poker circuit. In fact, it is reported that the tables most recently frequented by Sampras have been subject to a $30,000 buy-in, which is hardly a small sum by anybody’s standards. Speaking to the San Jose Mercury News, Sampras is alleged to have joked that his opponents have “more money than sense”.

Sampras’ decision to embark on a professional poker career mirrors the choice made by a host of former sports stars who now play with a deck of cards rather than a tennis racket, football or whatever else. Former sports stars who are now professional poker players include legendary Australian spin-bowler, Shane Warne, England football international, Teddy Sheringham, Boris Becker, Doyle Brunson and Tomas Brolin – even Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is rumoured to have joined the poker elite. Former sports stars regularly enjoy high-stake international and UK poker tournaments, whilst some also play UK online poker on the leading sites.