Of the many card games around, poker is the one closest to a traditional sport. It has all the elements of excitement and tension that a sports fan needs, while strategy and skill are required to get to the top.
Maybe that’s why so many athletes transition to poker, either during or after their main careers. The need to perform under pressure, to assess opponents and carve a path to success is essential in both disciplines.
It’s certainly true of the NFL where a significant number of players have made a strong switch to poker at some point.