Michael Phelps Wishes TMZ Report Of $100,000 Poker Victory Was True

Michael Phelps, coming off six medals at the 2012 London Olympics, hasn’t taken a break from his competitive nature. According to a report from celebrity gossip outlet TMZ, Phelps was spotted playing poker in Las Vegas, Nevada this past weekend.

Phelps reportedly won $100,000 in the game, an amount that the swimmer denied on social media site Twitter.

I wish I won a 100k…. Haha not true tho:(

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 2, 2012

Phelps has been playing poker for a number of years, with his only career major tournament cash coming back in 2008, after that summer’s Olympics. He finished ninth in a $1,500 buy-in event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for $5,213.

After the score, Phelps told Card Player: “I love to play, and it’s fun. It’s exciting. This is a good time for me to learn some things, to pick up a few things in poker, to try to read people and [learn the] mindset that goes into it and everything — just to try something new.”

According to an article from Bleacher Report, the Maryland native, 27, has recently become a regular in a pricey weekly home game. In other words: Invite only.

Jeff Gross, a roommate of Phelps in 2011, told Card Player last August: “Mike is easily one of the best celebrity poker players around. Overall, I’d say he treats the game seriously and loves the competition, but it’s just a hobby. Once he finishes up his career at the 2012 Olympics in London, I think you’ll be seeing him competing more in live tournaments.”

According to therichest.org, the retired athlete has a net worth of $40 million. Some of Phelps’ sponsors include Visa, Omega, Hilton, Procter & Gamble, Under Armour, Subway and Hewlett-Packard, ESPN reported.

Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus

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