Warnie is like many champion athletes in that after he left the test cricket arena (after the 2006-07 Ashes series) he missed being at the very top level of a competitive sport. He was instrumental in Australia’s campaign to regain the Ashes and took his 700th test wicket in the process. What was he going to do after a career like that? Well there was always playing 20/20 cricket and commentating but for a man like Warnie there had to be more.

Poker was something that offered Shane Warne the very best of both worlds. He got to spend some time relaxing with his mates such as 2005 World Series of Poker Champion, Joe Hachem, but he also got the competitive juices flowing again. It was a turn on for a character like Warne to start at the bottom and work his way to the top again. He had always been a good card player and his naturally competitive nature and will to win was only going to help him at the poker table.

By his own admission Warnie is a long way off being a champion poker player, but by any standard he is good and is getting better. He always takes time to listen and learn and also takes time out to hone his skills. You can often find Warnie kicking back and playing a few hands at 888.com’s Pacific Poker trying out new strategies.
He has had some good results and has had impressive runs at both the Aussie Millions and the World Series of Poker. The problem for the Aussie legend is that he still has cricket commitments making it difficult for him to play the amount poker he would like to play. Make no mistake about his commitment though as he will continue to improve until he has proved to himself that he can mix it with the best in the business.