Phil Kessel will compete at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas this summer for the eighth consecutive year.
“I look forward to coming to Vegas. For the last eight years I’ve been coming out here for a few weeks," Kessel said in an interview with PokerCentral.com. "This summer I’m looking at playing the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha and $25,000 Pot Limit Omaha events and it would mean a lot to do well in them, even though I know how hard and unlikely it is.”
Kessel said that he plays a "decent amount" of poker during the year at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh when he has time off. Of all of Kessel's current and former teammates, however, he had the best poker games against his teammates on the Maple Leafs.
“We had a good group in Toronto for a while, playing with JVR, Bozak, Kadri, and Komarov. That was a good game,” Kessel said.
Kessel learned to play poker from his father, and the trip to Vegas each summer is a bonding experience for the pair. He also enjoys the competition over the offseason.
"Us athletes are just always looking to compete, it's in your blood, and that's why I love poker," he said.
Fans in Las Vegas spotted Kessel hanging out with Sidney Crosby following the NHL Awards.
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If Kessel does well in the tournament, you'll be able to watch him on CBS All-Access at the final table of the $25,000 Pot Limit Omaha High Roller on June 22nd.
