PokerStars ambassador Adam McKola would be ‘all in’ on a game playing Wayne Rooney after enjoying a rapid rise to the top.
The popular YouTuber is still a relatively fresh face on the poker scene, which has become a sensation among sporting heavyweights.
The Manchester United superfan only signed for PokerStars in 2022, but finished third place at the UKIPT Brighton Main Event a year later.
In Monte Carlo earlier this year, McKola found himself involved in a streamed poker game headlined by Chris Eubank Jr.
The boxer is a poker fanatic and swapped the ring for the table after earning a reported £10million payday for beating Conor Benn.
The build-up to the pair’s first meeting in late April was dominated by a sly dig from Benn that Eubank Jr. was only taking part in the bout to settle the £4m debt he owed Neymar.
While ‘Next Gen’ remained tight-lipped on the accuracy of the claim, he won’t be able to deny coughing up thousands in Monaco.
Over the course of 73 hands at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, Eubank Jr. recorded a net loss of €13,475 to finish as the night’s biggest loser.
In contrast, McKola racked up €13,345 in profit, which he fondly looked back on during an exclusive interview with talkSPORT.com at PokerStars European Poker Tourbarcelona.
“I played with Chris Eubank Jr. in Monte Carlo, which was good,” the influencer revealed.
“I think talkSPORT got an interview out of that one as well. So that was good. Took like 15 grand off him, which was nice.
“To be fair, he just fought Conor Benn for seven figures and was splashing it about. So it was understandable when he came up against us.”
Famous footballers who play poker
McKola continued: “We’ve obviously met Neymar at these tournaments. I’ve never had the privilege of being on his table, but it was great to meet him.
“I’ve been with Sergio Aguero. Again, I’ve not played with them. It’s kind of all luck of the draw, really, where you’re going to be sat.
“You never know who’s going to be at your table, and that’s kind of a beautiful thing about it as well.
“You could turn up, and Gerard Piqué sat at your table. And for me, as a Man United fan, that would be a dream.
“He’s obviously won the double at Manchester United, and he was decent while he was there for us as well.
“I’d be happier on a table with Neymar, Piqué and Aguero than I would on a table with [UK Poker player] Sam Grafton and Lina [Niu] and all these guys because I feel like those have a bit more money to burn and they’re gambling a little bit more.
“So I’d be happier at their table. And also, it’s just an experience.
“I even want to get Phil Ivey on my table or something, even though he’d pull my pants down, and teach me a lesson, like you just want that experience of playing with these guys.
“I’m sure you can pick things up from them when you’re playing as well, which is good.
“I’ve seen him play a hand here where I thought, if I did that, I’d be called a donkey. But it’s Phil Ivey, he can do what he wants!”
Manchester United stars playing poker
During his work as a content creator and podcast host, McKola has been casting as close an eye as possible on his beloved Red Devils.
As such, ‘The Club’ co-host is best served to know which of Ruben Amorim‘s current crop would stand out in the poker world.
“I know Marcus [Rashford] likes a little bit,” he told talkSPORT. “I know he’s not officially a United player. I know he likes a little bit.
“The Brazilian lads love it. Maybe Casemiro or someone like that would be super aggressive and just in your face on the table.
“So yeah, it would be nice to see Casemiro…as for the worst, probably Manuel Ugarte!”
Rooney would be one of his favourite poker opponents
McKola was quick to list three Man United legends as his ideal guests to sit across the poker table from – each with wildly different reasons.
Eric Cantona and David Beckham would both bring the class to EPT Barcelona, while Rooney would be on hand for the entertainment.
“Cantona or Beckham, those are my two GOATS!” McKola replied instantly when quizzed on his dream poker rivals.
“Those are the people I grew up on, loving and stuff like that. Also, I think Cantona has a bit of a poker look about him, doesn’t he?
“Or actually, maybe Wayne Rooney.
“You’d end up having a little drink with him. Getting lively. Maybe end up in the players’ lounge after, on the karaoke,” McKola joked.
McKola’s poker background
Overlap star McKola only started playing poker during COVID alongside talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings.
However, at the EPT Barcelona less than five years later, his first-ever Royal Flush took his poker earnings past a whopping $80,000 (£60k).
“Just in general, this is one of my favourite stops on the tour,” McKola admitted. “Obviously, Barcelona’s got everything you could want. Outside and off the field, we’ve got loads going on, and then obviously on the field as well, some of the best tournaments about. So for me, it’s great to just be a part of it and be involved.
“The EPTs do feel a little bit more special when you’re playing those main events. So it was gutting to go out, especially after I had a good run in Prague last year, which I wanted to try and beat that one, and I’ve never cashed in a main here. So it’s a bit disappointing.
“We’re doing well and we’re getting better, and obviously, thanks to STARS, we can play these kinds of tournaments and get stuck in.”