Ex-Premier League ace Bernard Mendy quits football to take up career playing professional POKER
FORMER Premier League star Bernard Mendy has swapped football for flushes – by taking up poker.
The France defender spent three top-flight seasons with Bolton (2002-03) and Hull City (2008-10).
He has since won thousands in poker tournaments and cash games since learning the game from his Paris Saint-Germain team-mates.
Mendy, 36, may now go full-time after leaving Indian Super League club Chennaiyin FC during the summer.
He collected £110 at the Winamax Open tournament in Dublin last week.
Brighton-based Frenchman Otto Richard scooped the £84,000 first prize.
Mendy said: “Poker is like football with the competition, focus and adrenalin.
“When you sit across the table from someone you work out what type of player they are.
“Then it is hand-to-hand combat plus psychology. I love all that.”
Mendy added: “I learned how to play when I was with PSG.
“Ten of us would sit round a table, put in 20 euros and it was winner takes all.
“I love to play suited hands like 5-6 or 7-8. When I first used to get those cards I would start to count, and my opponents thought: ‘He’s got a flush!’
“I was due to go back to India, but I won’t now as their season has expanded from four months to eight.
“It doesn’t fit my plans, and besides the salaries have shrunk with the arrival of new clubs.”
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