Poker stars and luxury cars have been known to go hand in hand, and few people are surprised when the price tag on their cars is revealed - not because the amount isn't mind-blowing, but because we don't expect anything. Most of today's great poker pros drive cars that they could only dream of before, and their path to success looked different. They may have started playing free online poker or playing black clubs before eventually becoming some of the biggest names in global tournaments like the World Series of Poker. Here we take a look at the car obsession of poker stars and what cars they choose to spend their winnings on. Popular sports in Sweden, you can read about them by clicking on this source.
From a black club to a customized Mercedes-Benz
Let me start by saying that a poker player's income can often be tied to the choice of car. It fits American Phil Ivey perfectly. The 44-year-old California player, who learned how to play poker from his grandfather, is considered by many to be one of the greatest poker players of all time. This professional definitely has a penchant for expensive cars - and why not? Looking at his bravado at the poker table, it's clear that he is the seventh highest paid poker player of all time. Ivey's journey began by playing in various black clubs as a teenager, before he took a real step into the professional world and became the youngest at the age of 38 to win 10 WSOP bracelets. In 2018, he won over $26,250,000 in live tournaments and, in addition, won a lot online. Over $6,600,000 of his prize money is believed to have come from winnings during the World Series of Poker. With that in mind, it's perhaps not so shocking that he drives, among other things, a unique Mercedes-Benz that is only available in 65 units worldwide. The price of feeling unique? A mind-boggling $1.6 million, which is over SEK 13 million.
An environmentally friendly choice with an expensive price
Let's continue with the best player Daniel Negreanu. This Romanian-born Canadian is one of the biggest poker winners of all time and is estimated to have won over $40 million during his years of activity in various world tournaments. Not only does Mr. Negreanu have a taste for luxury cars, but he also seems to think about the environment. Perhaps that's why one of his last picks was a Tesla Model S in Midnight Silver Metallic with an elegant design and a price tag of around SEK 909,990.
Double Lamborghini
Vanessa Russo is one of the brightest female stars in the poker firmament. The scandal-ridden star has a lot of iron on fire, and in addition to winning at the poker table and being a well-known TV presenter and certified lawyer, she also hosted “poker camps” in Monte Carlo where she taught various poker strategies. after the European Poker Tour in Monte Carlo. And who wouldn't want some poker advice from Russo? Namely, she is said to have won around US$3.5 million between 2005 and 2011 alone. Of that prize money, she is said to have spent at least US$182,000 on a bright yellow Lamborghini Gallardo. She must have really enjoyed the driving experience as she also took the opportunity to buy another Lamborghini in a slightly more understated blue. As we all know, just driving a Lamborghini can be very boring, which is probably why she also bought a Bentley Continental GT.
Wrecked Ferrari 458 Italia
Someone who has made some of the more classic poker choices, as you would expect from a Las Vegas caliber star, is Englishman Sam Trickett. He is currently ranked twelfth in the world in poker tournament earnings of all time. There is also no doubt that Trickett loves fast cars. In 2012, he placed second in the inaugural Big One tournament and was able to raise a whopping $10,000,000 for his efforts. However, he had to shell out "only" $250,000, which may seem a bit modest since his total poker winnings are in excess of $20 million, for his Ferrari 458 Italia. After the purchase, he said he "couldn't stop smiling."
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