A centenarian from Leicestershire has become the world’s oldest professional poker player after online operator GGPoker signed him as a full-time ambassador, capping an 86-year journey that began in a Lincolnshire pub during the war years.
Ivor Parker, who lives in Ab Kettleby, picked up his first set of cards at age 14 and played his first hand in a pub in Boston, Lincolnshire in 1940. Now, at 100, he has joined GGPoker’s roster of professional ambassadors, marking what the operator describes as a century of passion for the game.
Parker’s signing was celebrated at a VIP event with Grosvenor Casinos ahead of the Goliath 2026 tournament. The appointment makes him the oldest paid professional in a game that, unlike most competitive pursuits, places no upper limit on careers built around experience and decision-making.
“I’ve loved poker for as long as I can remember. I loved the game straight away and I’ve never really looked back,” Parker said. “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.”
Parker, who has been married twice and has five children, worked as a production operative for East Midlands Farmer until he was 98 years old, combining a working life that spanned eight decades with a parallel career at the poker table.
He credits the game with keeping him sharp, though he notes how much poker has changed since his early days. “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,” he said. “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.”
Leah Hauer, an ambassador for GGPoker, called sharing the table with Parker “incredibly inspiring” and said the experience demonstrates why poker remains unique. “Poker rewards patience, discipline and good decision-making, and those are qualities that anyone can develop,” she said. “There’s always something to learn from the people sitting around you.”
Angela Martin, a spokesperson for GGPoker in the UK and Ireland, framed the signing as part of the game’s broader appeal. “Poker has always been about much more than cards. It’s about bringing people together, continually learning and challenging yourself,” she said.
Parker attributes his success at the tables to a mix of patience, resilience, strategy and a competitive streak honed over more than eight decades of play.
Key questions answered
How long has Ivor Parker been playing poker?
Parker has been playing poker for 86 years, starting at age 14 in 1940 at a pub in Boston, Lincolnshire.
How long did Parker continue working before retiring?
Parker worked as a production operative for East Midlands Farmer until he was 98 years old, spanning eight decades of working life.
What does Parker credit for keeping him mentally sharp?
Parker believes poker has kept him sharp, noting that he’s played with hundreds of people over the years who have since passed away.