NBA star Josh Giddey makes his poker debut at Aussie Millions.
In the NBA, and indeed in any professional sport, rookies are typically mentored by senior players. They'll share tips, explain unwritten rules, and sometimes... even teach them how to play cards.
At least, that's the experience of NBA young player Josh Giddey. The Chicago Bulls point guard returned to his hometown to participate in the revived Aussie Millions tournament.
PokerNews interviewed the 23-year-old player, who said he enjoys poker, especially playing his first major tournament in his hometown.
Learn to play poker in the NBA
Although Giddey currently plays for the Chicago Bulls, he was selected sixth overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was there that he first encountered poker.
"I learned to play cards on a flight when I was in Oklahoma City," he told PokerNews. "Some of the senior players on the team taught a few of us how to play poker. That's how I really started to get into it and enjoy it. Later, I started playing family games with my teammates in Oklahoma."
"It's always been fun for me, especially now that I'm starting to take it seriously."
Giddey's subsequent trips back to Melbourne allowed him to connect with the local poker community in Australia, further fueling his passion for the game.
"It's always been fun for me, especially now that I'm starting to take it seriously. I wouldn't say I take it as seriously as a pro, but I watch a lot of content and I really enjoy playing it."
From Cash Tables to Aussie Millions
Giddey, primarily a cash game player, said the Aussie Millions Main Event was his first real tournament experience, and with such a large field of experienced players, he felt it was a bit "beyond his capabilities."
"It's really cool that my first tournament is being held in Australia, especially in Melbourne, where I'm from. It's fantastic to see so many people and so many great players here. I'm enjoying myself and finding it very fun. Hopefully, I can continue to make the cut smoothly."
Giddey successfully advanced to Day 2 and pointed out the difference between the pace of the tournament and his usual games.
"It took me a while to adjust. It's completely different from cash games, both in terms of the players' playing style. I think I'm slowly getting the hang of it. But I probably still prefer cash games."
"However, the tournament is going to be a long one. I mean, I'll be sitting here for 12 hours straight. I'm not used to this! I can only be patient and hope to keep getting good cards."
Las Vegas is in sight?
Giddey is no stranger to Las Vegas, having played there during the 2021 NBA Summer League. Now, with the poker world and thousands of players focused on the city in preparation for this year's World Series of Poker (WSOP), will Giddey participate in one or two events? Quite possibly.
“There’s definitely a chance,” he said. “If the timing is right, and I happen to be in Las Vegas during the WSOP, I might play. The Aussie Millions Main Event was the first tournament I ever played, so that would be two pretty big steps into the world of tournaments—first the Aussie Millions Main Event, then the WSOP!”
"But I've always enjoyed watching the WSOP over the years. If there's an event I can participate in, if not this year, then it will definitely be the WSOP someday."
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