Ivor Parker, a lifelong poker enthusiast from Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire, has been signed by GGPoker as a full-time ambassador, making him the world's oldest paid professional poker player at the age of 100.
Parker began playing at the age of 14 and played his first hand in a pub in Boston, Lincs in 1940, giving him 86 years of experience. Over the years, he has built his knowledge, claiming that every successful player needs patience, resilience, strategy and a love of competition. He said poker remains one of the few competitive pursuits where experience, composure and decision-making continue to matter regardless of age.
From War to the Poker Table
Parker has played poker all over the world, especially during the war. He worked as a production operative for East Midlands Farmer until he was 98. Alongside his love of poker, he has been married twice and has five children.
He said: “I’ve loved poker for as long as I can remember. I started playing when I was 14. 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.”
Joining GGPoker
Parker kicked off his tenure at a VIP event with Grosvenor Casinos on the eve of the Goliath 2026 poker tournament, which will see more than 6,000 players at Grosvenor Casino Coventry.
Leah Hauer, GGPoker 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, head of marketing 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.”
Parker added: “Poker today is so different to when I started, it's so much more strategic now and there are so many brilliant players, especially here today. 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.”
