Top 6 Retired Professional Gamblers – Unbelievable Career Shifts

This list about the top 6 retired professional gamblers explores how six icons left the table behind. From Doug Polk’s crypto ventures to Doyle Brunson’s legendary farewell, their retirements reveal extraordinary choices. These stories prove that leaving the game can be just as powerful as winning it.

The world of gambling has produced countless legends, but not all remain forever. Some walked away while still at their peak, while others retired due to health or lifestyle changes. Because of this, the top 6 retired professional gamblers list tells stories of courage, reinvention, and legacy. Of course, if you are interested in your own poker career or hobby, then you can start it just with a few clicks and a registration!

All you have to do is register at any of the online poker sites in the US. There are many opportunities for people to discover their own strengths in gambling. However, these people found their career right after becoming legends at the table. Therefore, their legacy and name will forever remain in the history of WSOP and gambling in general!

6. Doug Polk – Top 6 Retired Professional Gamblers

According to Reddit, Doug Polk left, and nowadays he is mentioned as a “crypto head”. His retirement shocked fans, since he was still at his peak. According to Reddit discussions, Polk shifted toward cryptocurrency, gaining the nickname “crypto head.” That move highlighted how gamblers often seek the next big wave of opportunity. Therefore, his career demonstrates how a sharp mind can adapt beyond the table.

Doug didn’t completely vanish from the poker world, though. He built a YouTube channel where he shared insights, strategies, and playful commentary about the poker industry. Thus, he stayed connected with fans while distancing himself from the endless grind of professional play. His videos provided a mix of entertainment and education, proving that retirement doesn’t always mean disappearance. Register at Juicy Stakes and play right away!

5. Vanessa Selbst

An unbelievable shift among the top 6 retired professional gamblers. One of the most recognized women in poker, Vanessa Selbst, has managed to pursue a law career after quitting professional poker. Her retirement surprised many. However, she explained that the intense lifestyle no longer suited her. Long hours, constant travel, and endless pressure wore down even her unmatched energy. Therefore, she transitioned into law, a career she pursued with equal passion. Because of this shift, Selbst showed that success comes in many forms, not only at the poker table.

Selbst’s departure also carried symbolic weight. She represented a powerful voice for diversity in poker, inspiring countless women to join the game. Thus, her retirement opened discussions about the demanding nature of professional play. While some mourned her absence from tournaments, many celebrated her decision to prioritize happiness.

4. Fedor Holz – Top 6 Retired Professional Gamblers

Fedor is among the top 7 poker players from Europe. However, Holz shocked fans when he stepped back at a young age. He explained that the constant pursuit of tournaments drained him, despite his success. Therefore, he retired earlier than many expected. Because of this choice, his name resonates strongly with the elite poker pros. Fedor didn’t simply vanish after leaving the professional grind. Instead, he moved into entrepreneurship, focusing on coaching platforms and personal growth ventures.

Thus, he channeled his discipline from the felt into building communities around performance and success. His retirement also demonstrated a deeper philosophy. Holz emphasized mindfulness and personal development, encouraging players to view poker as part of life, not its whole. Because of this approach, he influenced a generation that values balance over endless pursuit.

3. Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospelier

An expected move from one of the top 6 retired professional gamblers. According to HighstakesDB, ElkY became an esports professional after his poker career. His poker career reached dazzling heights, winning championships and cementing his global reputation. However, like many on this list, ElkY eventually stepped back. According to HighstakesDB, he returned to esports, showing that his competitive spirit never faded. Because he succeeded in two highly competitive industries, ElkY represents versatility. Few individuals can dominate different arenas with such grace.

Therefore, his retirement from poker became less about leaving and more about returning to his first passion. Fans admired how he never fully abandoned poker. He still appears in events, blending his two worlds when opportunities arise. Thus, his presence symbolizes the bridge between esports and traditional gambling. Because of this, his story captures the evolving nature of competition in the modern age.

2. Annette Obrestad – Top 6 Retired Professional Gamblers

She was among the youngest WSOP champions and then retired. After a while, she returned as a beauty influencer. Her career shift surprised many. After leaving poker, she became a beauty influencer, sharing tutorials and lifestyle content. Because of this, fans saw a completely different side of her. Thus, her retirement highlighted that people contain multitudes, far beyond their public image.

Obrestad’s story also demonstrates the sacrifices behind poker’s glamour. She entered the scene as a prodigy, but the demands of tournaments eventually drained her. Therefore, her decision to focus on new creative outlets felt refreshing and inspiring. Because she embraced authenticity, she attracted audiences beyond poker. Her beauty channel grew steadily, proving her talent for communication and creativity. Thus, her transition into a different world emphasized independence and freedom.

1. Doyle Bruson

Finally, we left the legend at the top among the top 6 retired professional gamblers. According to Nemzetisport, he retired from professional gambling due to his illness. Brunson’s retirement symbolizes the end of an era. Because he embodied old-school grit, his departure represented the passing of a torch. Younger players often looked to him as a guiding figure, and many still recall his sharp presence at the table.

However, his retirement never erased his influence. Doyle continues to inspire through stories, writings, and the countless players he helped shape. Therefore, even in retirement, his presence echoes in every tournament hall. Because of his illness, he chose family and health over the exhausting schedule of professional poker. This choice reflected his deep wisdom and understanding of life’s priorities. Thus, his retirement carried both sorrow and admiration. Register at Juicy Stakes and start playing online!

Click here to stay tuned with Juicy Stakes!