eSports Players Who Are Also Poker Pros

In recent years, the worlds of eSports and poker have begun to converge. More and more video  gamers are realising the benefits of ‘cross-training’ in a strategic game like poker, and the  discipline itself has even been recognised as a mindsport. Now, we’re seeing a number of  professional eSports players demonstrating immense skill and success in the realm of poker – both online and in live tournaments.

These multi-talented professionals have made a name for themselves in both disciplines, with top  eSports gamers going on to become some of poker’s biggest stars. Meanwhile, even seasoned  elite poker players like Daniel Negreanu have taken an interest in gaming, with the six-time  World Series of Poker champion crediting Magic: The Gathering for his phenomenal card  playing.

The blending of eSports and poker has even given rise to new opportunities for poker players to  showcase their skills in immersive gaming environments. In recent years, a number of poker  tournaments have begun to offer eSports-style “streaming tables,” which allow viewers to watch  the action as it unfolds.

In this article, however, we’ll talk about three legendary eSports players who also happen to be  pretty adept at a round or two of Texas Hold ’em.

Bertrand Grospellier

AKA ElkY, Grospellier first began his esports career playing the game Starcraft: Brood War. He  quickly became one of the top players in the world, winning multiple championships and earning  a reputation as one of the most skilled players in the game.

After topping the leaderboards as a Starcraft player, ElkY transitioned into the world of poker,  where his strategic thinking and competitive drive saw him on the path to a stratospherically  successful career. He instantly found success in pro poker, winning a World Poker Tour title in  2008 and racking up over $14 million in career earnings.

Randy Lew

Another player who has found success in both eSports and poker is Randy “nanonoko” Lew.

Like ElkY, Lew was a respected Starcraft player and one of the top gamers in North America.  He was particularly known for his exceptional micro and macro play and his ability to multitask  effectively, making him a valuable member of top eSports crew Team Liquid.

Unsurprisingly, when Lew made the move to online poker, he had just as much impact on the  tables as he did behind the console. His aggressive playing style and clairvoyant ability to read  his opponents marked him out for elite status, and he quickly earned over $2.5 million in career  earnings. Lew is perhaps best known for being a multi-tabling Guinness World Record holder; in  2012, he set a brand new record for playing the most hands of online poker — 14,548 to be exact  — over an eight-hour period.

Jonathan Little

It’s not just Starcraft payers who’ve gone on to enjoy incredible success on the felt. Jonathan  Little is also a pro gamer who made a lucrative transition from eSports to poker. Little was  effectively an eSports pioneer, becoming a top-ranked player in the early 2000s game Warcraft  III before his transition to poker in 2006.

Since picking up the cards, Little has managed to earn over $7 million in career earnings and  garnered the respect of top poker pros across the globe.