Best Side Projects of Poker Pros – Comic Book, Music, and Esports

From magic tricks to comic books, these are the best side projects of poker pros. Discover how players turned passions into something unforgettable outside the world of poker.

There’s more to poker pros than chips and bracelets. Often, when they step away from the felt, they dive into something unexpected. From comics to music to esports, their other pursuits can be just as thrilling. In this article, we highlight the best side projects of poker pros and reveal the creative forces behind the faces we know so well. A professional poker career doesn’t mean a one-dimensional life. Quite the opposite. Many poker stars often find themselves drawn to side hustles that redefine their identities.

Sometimes, these projects are short-term flings. Sometimes, they grow into legacies of their own. Because poker attracts curious and competitive minds, it’s no surprise they often explore other industries too. Some of them shaped esports. Others helped launch media companies. All of them reveal something real about life beyond the felt. Register at any of the online poker sites in the US to start your poker venture!

Ivey League – Phil Ivey – Best Side Projects of Poker Pros

While many could argue that the Ivey League couldn’t live up to modern standards, at the same time, it clearly defined the modern history of poker during the 2000s. At the time, poker content was exploding. YouTube channels, Twitch streams, forums, all of it was growing fast. Therefore, the Ivey League aimed to be the Ivy League of poker education. It featured top-level instructors, real cash game analysis, and elite-level strategy. However, Ivey didn’t just lend his name. He handpicked coaches and appeared in many videos himself.

Because of this, it quickly earned respect within the community. However, the site eventually slowed down. While its start was promising, technology moved faster. Competition came in hard. New training platforms began offering more interactive tools and frequent updates. Thus, the Ivey League slowly faded. By 2017, it was no longer offering fresh content. Register at Juicy Stakes to play online poker in 2025!

ElkY – Bertrand Grospellier

One of the best side projects of poker pros is a whole different venture. According to Esports Earnings, he was one of the first StarCraft esports players to compete in Korea. His skill set was always hybrid. He understood APMs and pot odds. Thus, he knew how to manage game economies and poker bankrolls. Therefore, that duality helped him stand out in both scenes. Not many can say they won major poker titles and competed in Korean esports before Twitch existed. More recently, he returned to the gaming spotlight. He joined Team Liquid as a Hearthstone player and streamer.

Once again, ElkY didn’t settle. He embraced the new wave of digital competition. Hearthstone required a mix of deck-building and strategic thinking. Because of his long-standing presence in both fields, ElkY became a pioneer. He proved that poker players don’t always leave their old identities behind. Sometimes, they carry them forward, fusing both worlds. That’s what makes ElkY one of the best examples in this list.

Music – Steve Albini – Best Side Projects of Poker Pros

Sometimes, poker is a side project. According to The Guardian, Steve Albini’s long and well-respected music career is highly influential to the music industry. Therefore, his achievements overshadow his poker career. Albini didn’t treat the game like a flashy hobby. He studied it, entered events and even won a WSOP bracelet in 2018, defeating a stacked field. That moment stunned fans who only knew him as the anti-commercial, analog-loving audio engineer.

However, if you knew Albini, it made sense. Poker and music both reward precision. They both involve listening. You adjust, react, and stay sharp. Because of that, his success in poker never felt random. It felt earned. Still, it’s important to remember where he made the biggest waves. Albini’s refusal to compromise shaped indie rock forever. He refused to take royalties. He believed in artist freedom. Those values showed up at the table too. He didn’t bluff for the sake of it. He played clean, read players, and relied on timing.

The Magician – Antonio Esfandiari

There is a person who made cards disappear before he played them. The best side projects of poker pros were often sacrificed to pursue WSOP. Thus, the same happened to Esfandiari the Magician. According to his X Profile, he is only a former magician now. Yet, the way he used card tricks mesmerized many. That’s why his table presence always stood out. Therefore, he had flair. He smiled while betting and talked with hands in theatrical ways. None of it felt fake. It felt practiced, like a performer hitting his marks. Magic had trained him well. Esfandiari didn’t just perform offstage. He brought that world into poker broadcasts. Viewers saw someone who enjoyed the moment. He didn’t hide behind sunglasses. He was engaged.

Because of that, he became one of the most marketable players in the game. However, it’s not just about style. Magic gave him deep pattern recognition. It trained him to spot tiny movements. That ability helped him read opponents. Over time, he won major events, including the biggest single payout in tournament history at the time.

Final Nine – Anish Patel – Best Side Projects of Poker Pros

Sometimes, poker inspires you to build an entire world. That’s what Anish Patel did with Final Nine. It’s a comic book series centered on poker, risk, and mythology. We even put this one on our list for the top 6 comic books for gamblers! He worked 14 years on the comic, and it clearly shows his dedication to it. What makes this project stand out is its commitment. However, Patel didn’t just create one issue. He built a universe. There are multiple characters, lore-filled backstories, and visual drama in every frame.

The style is sharp. The story is dark. But it’s also deeply rooted in poker. Patel used his experience at the table to build believable tension. Every panel reflects real strategy. Every decision has weight. Thus, even if you’ve never played a hand in your life, you still feel the stakes. Because the comic is so unique, it made waves in poker media. It earned praise for its originality and clear passion. While other pros may launch books or streams, Patel built an entire narrative world.

An Acting Career – Daniel Negreanu

Finally, Negreanu is the king of the best side projects of poker pros. Daniel Negreanu’s career within the entertainment and poker industry is one of the greatest examples of how to grow yourself as a person. Daniel Negreanu didn’t stop at poker greatness. He chased cameras too. Over the years, he appeared in multiple films, shows, and documentaries. He didn’t do it by accident. Negreanu always had charisma. His table talk became famous. Viewers loved his banter and reading. Therefore, that energy translated well into the screen. Therefore, when Hollywood needed a poker consultant or cameo, they called Daniel. He appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Tilt, and several documentaries.

His voice even popped up in video games. Because of his fame, producers saw value in attaching his face to poker-themed content. He is also taking a central role in X-Men’s Gambit. At the same time, acting helped him grow. It forced him to perform outside his comfort zone. To follow directions. To embrace vulnerability. Thus, it made him sharper, both on camera and at the table. Negreanu also used his media presence to promote responsible gaming, mental health, and community issues. Register at Juicy Stakes and start your poker path!

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