Michael Phelps Competing At The $10k PCA Main Event

In the past, the Olympic Games’ most decorated medalist Michael Phelps has often professed his love of poker. Now the 27 year old has headed off to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure tournament series in The Bahamas where he is currently competing in the $10,000 Main Event.
Whereas Day 1a of the competition saw a turnout of 320 entrants, on Day 1b that number swelled to 649 players packed with top poker pros, grinders and celebrities alike. Amongst the interesting big names was Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, who, unfortunately for him, bowed out of the  competition before the dinner break.
However, the 18 time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps managed to close out the day on a 92,000 chip stack to make it through to Day 2. Helping Phelps on his way was a big pot he played against Dylan Hortin, in which Phelps was dealt pocket fours to his opponent’s pocket kings.
Withn the blinds at 150/300 Hortin opened UTG for 700 and got a call from Phelps in the hijack position. The 2c-9d-4c flop saw Hortin bet out 1,050 then call Phelp’s re-raise to 2,400 and after both players checked the Jc on the turn, Hortin returned to the action on the Ah river by firing out a 4,000 bet which Phelps called to take down the pot. Hortin was subsequently eliminated a few hands later.
So far the Hendon Mob database shows Michael Phelps having cashed only once at a live tournament. That was in 2008 at the $1,500 Caesars Palace Classic, where he finished 9th out of 187 players for $5,213. Phelps will now be hoping to add further to his poker resume with a cash at the PCA.
Nevertheless, he will have to first make his way past a slew of notable pros still active in the competition, including the likes of Ashton Griffin, Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, Olivier Busquet, Steve O’Dwyer, Matt Waxman, Jake Cody , Nacho Barbero, Greg Merson, Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey.