Gambling

Jimmy Butler, Ryan Garcia, Neymar Play Poker Together At Hustler Casino

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By
James Foglio
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James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a dedicated sportswriter. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

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Sports Editor

Published24 Jun 2024

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Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, American boxer Ryan Garcia, and Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. sat down at a poker table together at the Hustler Casino in Los Angeles, California. The poker game was viewable on the Hustler Casino livestream Saturday night.

Jimmy Butler won $174,000 pot against Neymar at the Hustler Casino in Los Angeles

The trio of professional athletes was also ed by online streamer Ninja, along with Chris Eubank Jr., Jon Vlogs, and Dan Bilzerian. Hustler Casino said the players, a group billed as Legends on the Felt, were part of “the greatest event in poker history.”

During the game, both Butler and Garcia ed a four-way all-in.

The NBA star bet $5,000 and Neymar raised to $10,000. Butler then responded with a 3-bet. The 13-year NBA veteran ended up winning the $174,000 pot against the Brazilian soccer star. By Sunday morning, Butler had racked up $200,000 in winnings.

Although Neymar lost to Butler, he did see success later against professional poker player Alex Keating and made a hero call for $199,000. Since Keating’s a high-stakes gambler, he offered to keep it going.

Neymar won seven of eight river cards and acquired Keating’s $360,000 stack.

Poker event was one of Ryan Garcia’s first public appearances since positive PED test

Additionally, the poker event marked one of Ryan Garcia’s first public appearances after the news that he would face a one-year suspension from the sport as part of a settlement related to a positive PED test.

Garcia (24-1) started out the event by calling out Devin Haney, over whom Garcia claimed a majority-decision win in April that was overturned because of the failed drug test.

As for Jimmy Butler, the six-time NBA All-Star was sidelined with an injury during the Heat’s first-round loss to the eventual champion Boston Celtics. The 34-year-old ed the table while reportedly seeking an extension with Miami.

Furthermore, Neymar suffered a knee injury during a game for the Saudi club Al Hilal that has kept him off the pitch since October. Earlier this year, Al Hilal deed Neymar as a result of his season-ending injury, freeing up one of the eight foreign roster spots for Renan Lodi.

Neymar’s injury kept him from competing in the Copa América, where Brazil will open group stage play without their injured star Monday against Costa Rica. However, a torn ACL and meniscus could not keep Neymar from the felt.