In professional sports like the NBA, it’s common for rookies to be guided by experienced teammates, learning everything from game tactics to team culture and, occasionally, even how to play a hand of cards.
That was exactly the case for young NBA guard Josh Giddey, who is currently with the Chicago Bulls and has returned to his hometown for the revival of the Aussie Millions poker tournament 2026 series.
Speaking with PokerClubGames, the 23-year-old shared how his interest in online poker and live poker tournaments first began and how he’s now enjoying competing in his first major poker tournament on home soil.
Discovering Poker During His NBA Journey (NBA Player Poker Story, Poker Learning Journey)
Although Giddey now plays for the Bulls, he entered the league as the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was during this early phase of his career that he was introduced to poker.
He recalled learning the game while traveling with teammates:
“I picked it up on a team flight in Oklahoma City. One of the older guys showed a few of us how to play. That’s really where it started for me, I began enjoying it and kept playing with teammates during our time in Oklahoma.”
What started as a casual locker-room pastime quickly turned into a genuine interest in poker strategy and gameplay.
“It’s always been fun for me. Recently, I’ve started paying more attention to the game—not professionally, but I enjoy watching and playing a lot more seriously now.”
Growing Interest Through Australia Connections (Poker Lifestyle, Melbourne Poker Scene)
During visits back to Melbourne, Josh Giddey connected with members of the Australian poker community, which further strengthened his enthusiasm for the game.
He described poker as something he continues to enjoy deeply, even as his understanding improves:
“I’ve always had a good time playing. Lately, I’ve been more focused on it, not as a pro, but I like learning and following the game closely.”
First Tournament Experience at Aussie Millions (Live Poker Tournament Debut, Cash Game vs Tournament Poker)
Primarily a cash-game poker player, Giddey entered the Aussie Millions Main Event as his first-ever live poker tournament experience. Competing in a high-stakes field filled with professional poker players, he admitted it felt like a big step up.
Representing his hometown added extra meaning to the occasion:
“It’s special to play my first tournament here in Melbourne. There are so many strong players in the field, so I’m just trying to enjoy it and take it all in. Hopefully I can keep running well.”
He also highlighted how different tournament poker strategy feels compared to cash games.
After progressing to Day 2, he noted the adjustment period:
“It took me a while to adapt. Tournament poker is a completely different rhythm compared to cash games. I’m still learning, but I’m getting used to it. Still, I probably lean more toward cash games.”
He also pointed out the physical and mental demands of long poker sessions:
“These are long sessions—sometimes 12 hours straight. That’s not something I’m used to. You just have to stay patient and wait for the right spots.”
Looking Ahead to Las Vegas and the WSOP (WSOP Poker Tournament, Poker Career Future)
Josh Giddey is no stranger to Las Vegas, having played there during the NBA Summer League in 2021. With the poker world now heading toward the World Series of Poker (WSOP), he hinted that a future appearance could be on the cards.
“There’s definitely a chance. If the timing works out and I’m in Vegas during the WSOP, I’d love to play. The Aussie Millions was my first tournament ever, so going from that to the WSOP would be a big step, but an exciting one.”
He added that he has followed the series for years and hopes to eventually take part:
“I’ve always enjoyed watching the WSOP. If not this year, then at some point I definitely want to play an event there.”
Final Takeaway
Josh Giddey’s move from NBA courts to the poker tables of the Aussie Millions poker tournament shows how skills like patience, strategy, and decision-making can translate across competitive worlds. While he is still new to live poker tournaments, his curiosity and competitive mindset suggest this may not be his last appearance in a major poker series.
FAQs
1. Why did Josh Giddey start playing poker?
Josh Giddey was introduced to poker by teammates during his NBA journey, initially learning the game on team flights before developing a stronger interest over time.
2. Is the Aussie Millions Josh Giddey’s first poker tournament?
Yes, the Aussie Millions Main Event marks his first-ever live poker tournament experience.
3. Does Josh Giddey prefer cash games or tournaments?
He has mentioned that he mainly plays cash games and is still adjusting to the structure and pace of tournament poker.
4. Will Josh Giddey play in the World Series of Poker (WSOP)?
He has shown interest in the World Series of Poker and said he may participate in future events if the timing works out.
5. What skills from basketball help Josh Giddey in poker?
Skills like patience, decision-making, and reading opponents from NBA games help him adapt to competitive poker environments.
