Boris Becker trying his hand at the World Series of Poker

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, June 4, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Boris Becker remembers a number of times poker helped his illustrious tennis career.

Becker, an International Tennis Hall of Famer who won six Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal, used to play five-card draw with his crew preceding some of his biggest competitions.

"Sometimes before tennis matches, you wander around and need to focus," Becker said. "So, I often played a card game to hone my concentration."

Little did Becker know then that one day he would find himself as a semi-professional poker player. For the last three years, Becker has traveled around the globe playing poker as a PokerStars.net-sponsored professional.

He's in Las Vegas this summer for his first experience at the World Series of Poker.

"I want to enjoy myself, have a good time and get in the money in I don't care which event," Becker said. "I want to go home saying I made the money at least once."

Becker's first two attempts were unsuccessful. He busted on the first day of both the $5,000 no-limit hold 'em shootout and Event No. 8, a $1,500 no-limit hold 'em tournament.

But he's not discouraged. The 42-year old Becker will have at least a few more chances to achieve his goal in the next couple of weeks before he departs to fulfill his obligation as a Wimbledon television analyst.

"I want to emphasize that (poker) is not my main job," Becker said. "It's a passion of mine, but I still have a day job."

But Becker admits that his poker career already has surpassed his expectations. PokerStars approached him in 2007 about appearing in commercials for their site.

Becker said he would love to, but thought he was obligated to learn the game better before he started. So, PokerStars connected Becker with some of the top professionals in Germany, his native country, to teach him hold 'em.

Becker worked with them for a few months before entering his first event, which was part of the 2008 European Poker Tour Grand Finals in Monte Carlo. In his first major tournament, Becker finished seventh out of 250 and earned $15,465.

"I made the final table on my first try," Becker said. "They couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. Ever since then, it's been an amazing journey for me."

Becker has cashed in a few tournaments since then, with his biggest payday coming in April's World Poker Tour World Championship at the Bellagio. He finished in 40th place and earned $40,855.

"My first goal was I don't want to embarrassed," Becker said. "After that first tournament, I think I jumped the hurdle."

Becker said he thought his immunity to being affected by large prize pools was his biggest advantage in poker. He earned $25 million in his tennis career, which means money doesn't change the way he plays.

That's not always the case in tournament poker, where players notoriously tighten up around the money bubble.

"I'm careful, too," Becker said. "But I'm not fazed by it."

In fact, Becker's poker game is a lot like his tennis strategy — full of aggression. He's content with poker helping to fill the void left from retiring from tennis 11 years ago.

"If you come from a really competitive sport like tennis, you still have that competitive edge," Becker said. "This is great way to still feel like you are 20 years old, playing against younger guys. This is a great, competitive sport."