One man’s salary is another man’s buy-in.
Guess which part of that equation applies to Michael Phelps. Well, since there aren’t many $45 million poker games going on these days, surely you figured out that Phelps is the one dishing out salary-sized wagers.
Phelps, a known poker enthusiast, plays in a weekly $25,000 game, according to Chipist — a website described as a source for social gambling news from TriplePoint.
Now, $25,000 probably seems like chump change to the most decorated Olympian of all time, but for the working man, it’s a hefty pay check (or 50). Phelps doesn’t seem too concerned with the amount being doled out, however, as he’s focused more on the social aspect of the game.
“I love to play, it’s fun, it’s exciting. It was more something so that I could have time to myself. I could relax, I could be myself, and I could have fun,” Phelps said in a conversation with Card Player. “It’s a place where I can be me. I’ve met some of my best friends at a poker table. Some of the kids I’m always with, who I talk to every day.”
Since he’s met many of his friends at the card table, one would assume they’re OK with Phelps’ gambling ways. However, there could also be some who worry about whether or not these high-stakes poker games will lead to problems down the road, even if the swimmer is one of the most marketable figures on the planet right now.
The latter assumptions appear to be (somewhat) confirmed by The National Enquirer, which apparently caught up with some of Phelps’ friends.
“All Michael thinks about is gambling,” a poker-playing friend told The National Enquirer, according to the Daily Mail. “Michael has a ‘don’t quit until you win’ attitude which was great while he was swimming but could be costly playing poker.”
The source reportedly also indicated that Phelps has already wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars playing poker, and that “everyone’s worried he’ll be betting millions more.”
While Phelps may or may not have future gambling issues, it’s at least pretty clear that this fish has turned into quite the card shark.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@MichaelPhelps
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Here come the backup zebras.
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What the issues are and how they get solved and how deep the issues go are something that we’re not yet on the same page.
–NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, casting even more doubt over this season
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Maybe a few backyard brews, LoMo?
Back in Miami while the team goes on the road (stupid knee). Does any1 have an office party or a boat christening theyd like 2 invite me 2?
— Logan Morrison (@LoMoMarlins) August 16, 2012
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Way to be on your toes, Yao.
