Ivor Parker, aged 100, from Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire, has become the world's oldest paid professional poker player after 86 years of playing. He signed with GGPoker as a full-time ambassador.
86 years at the tables
Parker first picked up a deck of cards at age 14 and played his first hand in a pub in Boston, Lincolnshire in 1940. Over the decades, he developed extensive knowledge of the game, believing that patience, resilience, strategy and a love of competition are essential.
New role with GGPoker
He is launching his ambassadorship at a VIP event with Grosvenor Casinos on the eve of the Goliath 2026 tournament. Parker said: "I've loved poker for as long as I can remember. I loved the game straight away and I've never really looked back. I've played poker all over the world, especially during the war. Every game is different, every table has its own stories and you're always learning something new."
Poker and longevity
Alongside poker, Parker worked as a production operative for East Midlands Farmer until age 98. He has been married twice and has five children. Reflecting on his career, he added: "Poker today is so different to when I started, it's so much more strategic now and there are so many brilliant players. If I think about it, I've played poker with hundreds of people, some of them my really good friends, who sadly have all gone now. I think poker has kept me sharp and I'm thankful for that."
Inspiring the next generation
Leah Hauer, GGPoker UK & Ireland Brand Ambassador, said: "Poker rewards patience, discipline and good decision-making, and those are qualities that anyone can develop. Sharing the table with Ivor has been incredibly inspiring, and it shows exactly why Poker is such a unique game, there's always something to learn from the people sitting around you."
Angela Martin, spokesperson for UK & Ireland at GGPoker, said: "Poker has always been about much more than cards. It's about bringing people together, continually learning and challenging yourself. Ivor perfectly embodies everything we love about the game, and we're incredibly proud to welcome him to Team GGPoker as we head into Goliath."
