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Boris Becker Cashes in at Poker Tournament

Three-time Wimbledon-champion Boris Becker has found a new career, as a poker player. ?Boom Boom? made it deep in one of the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world ? the World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He finished in 37th place out of 338 entrants, outlasting some of the best players in the world, while taking home a $40,855 prize check.

Compared to the $25 million in prize money Becker made as a tennis player, that is only a drop in the sea, but the German star is definitely starting to enjoy life on the big poker scene.

"I'm certainly gaining experience and feeling a lot more comfortable, but this is the first time making it to the fourth day of a big tournament," Becker said.

It made big online poker news when Becker signed a deal with the world?s largest poker site PokerStars about a year ago and joined the site?s celebrity roster alongside hockey star Mats Sundin and comedian Jason ?George? Alexander.

Becker has played in a few tournaments since then, but this was his first cash in a major event. He also plays online and will most likely show up in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Vegas this summer.

At time of writing, the WPT Championship is still running with 24 players left in the tournament. The first place prize in the event is $2,149,960.

Full post as published by Sports Biz on April 26, 2009 (boomark / email).