Sport Legends Turn to Poker

Shane Warne needs no introduction. The blonde spin-wizard, an Australian icon and a world legend in the game of cricket is among Wisden's most highly rated cricketers of all time. The man has an impressive tally of 708 test wickets and 3154 runs over a magical career. His ODI and first class performances are even more striking. Now as Warne approaches 40, he is looking to his other passion - professional poker.

Love of the game
Recently Warne missed several high-profile cricket matches, choosing instead to spend a week the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He was a fierce competitor in the World Series of Poker - among the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world. That Warne came close to making major headway cannot be overlooked. Clearly the man has talent and he is taking his game-playing skills to the next level.

Warne plays tournament poker, which he believes to be a game of tremendous skill and strategy. His ability to have his opponents second-guessing him served him well in cricket and now serves him extraordinarily well in poker. It's the tactical side of poker - the bluffing, gamesmanship and high-stakes gambling, that has him interested.

Warne has already competed in the 2008 World Series of Poker and several Aussie Millions poker tournaments. Recounting his WSOP tournament, Warne started on 19,000 chips and ended the day in 24th position overall, with more than 173,000 in chips on hand. In fact he is so enamored by the game that he joined an online poker room, 888.com, and is now their sporting face at the poker tables.