Phelps an online Poker fan August 22, 2008

He might be the fastest man alive in the water but at the Poker table Michael Phelps knows when to hold'em and knows when to fold'em. In a place where speed is usually not the answer, like the Poker room, Phelps proves equally worthy.

In the last few days Michael Phelps has gone from relative anonymity to anyone outside of the swimming pool to a household name seemingly overnight. But beneath everyone's professional persona lives a real life living, breathing human being with outside interests. One of Phelps' outside of the pool interests just happens to be online Poker, and Poker in general. Phelps has been known to cross over into Windsor, Canada on occasion to satiate his passion, but also plays online. Phelps has even been known to play for hours online.

His passion has been alive and well for years and Phelps says that he has entertained the thought of joining the World Poker Tour in the future. And why not? He has reached what is essentially the pinnacle of his sport. It would be an excellent choice for him to lay down his goggles and Speedos and do battle across the table with the likes of Johnny Chan and all the rest. People from all over who have become Michael Phelps converts will undoubtedly follow him to the Poker table. This could be a huge boon to Poker and Phelps could cash in on a whole new world of endorsement deals that would be open to him. In fact, people might start seeing the World Poker Tour emblem emblazoned on swimming goggles and shorts in the near future if this merger takes off.

Michael Phelps is very young man with his entire life ahead of him. The Poker world could only hope that he makes the best of the rest of his time.