Which Athletes Have Won The Most Money Playing Poker?

In an exclusive study by Coin Poker, we reveal which athletes have the most Poker prize money so read on to see our top 10 list.

Top 10 Athlete Poker Earnings

Note: All data courtesy of The Hendon Mob’s Poker Database

1. David Levi (Soccer) – $4,390,115 (earnings) – $229,540 (best live cash)
2. Jan Vang Sørensen (Soccer) – $2,264,165 (earnings) – $800,972 (best live cash)
3. Steve Watts (Soccer) – $1,018,019 (earnings) – $123,597 (best live cash)
4. Richard Seymour (NFL) – $786,974 (earnings) – $376,360 (best live cash)
5. Gerard Pique (Soccer) – $738,611 (earnings) – $392,515 (best live cash)
6. Tony Cascarino (Soccer) – $595,809 (earnings) – $283,412 (best live cash)
7. Fatima Moreira de Melo (Hockey) – $577,274 (earnings) – $95,750 (best live cash)
8. Max Kruse (Soccer) – $520,682 (earnings) – $133,894 (best live cash)
9. Audley Harrison (Boxing) – $340,684 (earnings) – $90,298 (best live cash)
10. Teddy Sheringham (Soccer) – $329,475 (earnings) – $118,346 (best live cash)

1: David Levi (Soccer) – $4,390,115 (earnings) – $229,540 (best live cash)

David Levi tops our Athlete Poker earnings list with a staggering $4,390,115 in prize money. Being a former professional soccer player, his career was cut short due to a nasty knee injury.

However, Levi didn’t hang around feeling sorry for himself, instead he went straight into poker. He swapped the soccer pitch for the poker table and is thriving in events all around the world as a professional.

2: Jan Vang Sørensen (Soccer) – $2,264,165 (earnings) – $800,972 (best live cash)

Another former professional soccer player is the runner up on our list. Jan Vang Sørensen has earned $2,264,165 on the poker table since retiring from the pitch, where he played for Danish club Odense BK among others.

He may not have the highest earnings, but he has won two bracelets at the World Series of Poker and tops the list for the best live cash of $800,972.

3: Steve Watts (Soccer) – $1,018,019 (earnings) – $123,597 (best live cash)

Also a former professional soccer star, Steve Watts is the third on Poker prize money list with $1,018,019 in earnings.

Watts made his name at Football League side Leyton Orient where he made over 100 appearances. Now a professional poker player though, Watts is enjoying just as much success. He also had a short stint in Music Management, where he was manager of 2015 X Factor winner Louisa Johnson.

4: Richard Seymour (NFL) – $786,974 (earnings) – $376,360 (best live cash)

NFL icon Richard Seymour comes next on the list with $786,974 in earnings after enjoying years on the American Football field.

Only starting out as a hobby, the three-time Super Bowl champion has quickly become a professional poker player, playing in multiple World Series of Poker events.

Seymour is a New England Patriots Hall of Famer, and could soon be one in Poker as he continues to rise through the rankings.

5: Gerard Pique (Soccer) – $738,611 (earnings) – $392,515 (best live cash)

Fairly new to the professional Poker scene, Gerard Pique is fifth on the list with $748,611 banked on the table. The Spaniard also holds a steady best live cash achievement of $392,515.

Widely known as one of the best defenders of his generation, Pique was a three-time winner of the Champions League with Barcelona and also a World Cup hero for Spain in 2010.

6: Tony Cascarino (Soccer) – $595,809 (earnings) – $283,412 (best live cash)

Next is Tony Cascarino, another who graced the soccer pitch, now gracing the table with $595,809 in Poker prize money.

Cascarino made his name in both English and French soccer as well as on an international level with the Republic of Ireland. He also has a book called Full Time: The Secret Life Of Tony Cascarino, detailing his love for gambling and in particular Poker.

7: Fatima Moreira de Melo (Hockey) – $577,274 (earnings) – $95,750 (best live cash)

The only female to make this list is Fatima Moreira de Melo, a former hockey player who has Poker prize money of $577,274.

Being an Olympic Gold Medalist, De Melo has long had a taste for winning. She’s now considered as one of the best female Poker players in the world.

8: Max Kruse (Soccer) – $520,682 (earnings) – $133,894 (best live cash)

A common theme in this list, next is another former professional soccer player in Max Kruse, who has earnings of $520,682 since making the switch to pro Poker.

Strong on the soccer pitch, now strong on the table. Back in 2016, Kruse was infamously warned of his future conduct by his former club Wolfsburg after it was revealed he lost $75,000 worth of Poker prize money in the back of a taxi.

9: Audley Harrison (Boxing) – $340,684 (earnings) – $90,298 (best live cash)

Former boxer Audley Harrison is ninth on our list with $340,684 in earnings and is also one of the most well known athletes who play.

Harrison became the first British boxer to ever win an Olympic Gold Medal in his division (super-heavyweight) and has always had a golden touch.

10: Teddy Sheringham (Soccer) – $329,475 (earnings) – $118,346 (best live cash)

The tenth and final athlete to feature on our Poker prize money list is ex-England forward Teddy Sheringham who has won $329,475 on the table.

Bursting onto the scene at Milwall before earning a big move to Tottenham Hotspur, Sheringham was then known as one of the greatest strikers in England. Now an avid poker pro, the former England international is often competing in big prize competitions.

Honourable Mentions Of Athletes Earning Money In Poker

Whilst not making it into the top ten list, controversial boxer Ryan Garcia is a successful Poker player in his own right, making $58,946 which is predicted to grow rapidly.

Two soccer greats in Sergio Aguero and Ronaldo Nazario have also been known to compete in poker tournaments. Manchester City legend Aguero has recently reached the $100,000 mark whereas Ronaldo (Nazario) sits on $45,760.