After a long and successful career as a professional tennis player, James Obst has once again proven that he has what it takes to be a champion on a different kind of court. The Australian native recently won his second career World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet after returning from a hiatus from professional tennis.
Obst first burst onto the poker scene in 2011 when he captured his first WSOP bracelet in the $10,000 Razz Championship event. His victory was made even more impressive by the fact that he had only been playing poker for a few years at that point. However, just a year later, Obst decided to put his poker career on hold to pursue his other passion – professional tennis.
During his time away from the poker tables, Obst managed to achieve moderate success in the tennis world, climbing as high as No. 150 in the world rankings. But despite his achievements on the court, Obst found himself drawn back to the poker tables, and in 2018, he made his return to the WSOP.
Since his return, Obst has been on a tear, cashing in multiple events and making deep runs in several tournaments. However, it was his victory in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship event that truly solidified his status as one of the game’s elite players.
In a field of 422 players, Obst outlasted them all to claim the top prize of $399,950 and his second WSOP bracelet. The final table was a rollercoaster ride for Obst, as he had to battle through a tough field that included some of the best players in the world. But in the end, Obst’s skill and determination were enough to see him through to victory.
After the tournament, Obst spoke about his return to poker and the challenges he faced along the way. “It was definitely a tough decision to leave tennis behind and come back to poker, but I’m glad I did,” Obst said. “I love the competition and the mental challenge that poker provides, and I’m excited to see where my career goes from here.”
With his second WSOP bracelet under his belt, James Obst has once again proven that he has what it takes to be a champion, both on and off the poker tables. And with his passion for the game reignited, there’s no telling how far he can go in the world of professional poker.