Retired AFL Star Steve Baker Busts First Major Tournament
Steven Baker, 35, is a retired Australian rules footballer known for playing for the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL) from 1999 to 2011.
As it happens, Baker, who was the 27th pick in the 1998 AFL Draft, also fancies poker, though he doesn't have a ton of experience, which is comprised of home games alongside Tony Hachem and Shane Warne. Baker decided to take a shot at the big time by playing the 2016 Aussie Millions Main Event — his first-ever major tournament — but things did not go his way.
Way back in Level 2, Baker lost all but 900 of his stack when his pocket kings were cracked by Faraz Jaka's 
. The flop contained a seven, the turn was another seven, and the chips went in on the river. Baker managed a bit of a comeback — at least enough of one to keep him in contention past the dinner break — but his run came to an end at the tail end of Level 5.
It happened when Baker moved all in from early position for 1,900. Action folded all the way to Poker Hall of Famer John Juanda, who opted to call from the big blind.
Juanda: 
Baker: 
Baker, who admitted he had only looked at the king when he shoved, got his stack in good, and he remained in the lead on the 
flop. Unfortunately for him, the dealer burned and turned the 
to pair Juanda. The 
river was no help to Baker, and he was eliminated from the tournament.
Baker, known as one of the most efficient taggers in the AFL, stopped by Hachem's table to deliver the bad news before exiting the Crown Melbourne poker room.
For more on Baker, check out his Wikipedia page.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
9,000 | 2,000 |
|
Busted |