Luke Littler’s rival pockets big poker windfall after being dumped out of Grand Slam
Luke Littler’s rival who he beat in the Grand Slam of Darts has recovered with a massive poker win.
Mike De Decker was leading Littler by a more-than-comfortable margin in their Last 16 clash in Wolverhampton. The Belgian was up 8-4 before the 17-year-old darts sensation made a stunning comeback.
Littler won six of the next seven frames to beat De Decker. The young thrower went on to win the Grand Slam following his demanding win over Martin Lukeman in the final, beating him 16-3.
This victory was Littler’s tenth title in 11 months, helping him become a millionaire before his 18th birthday. Although De Decker was knocked out of the tournament in the Last 16, he too has received an influx of cash – just not from darts.
The 28-year-old returned to Belgian following the defeat only to win The Big Bounty poker tournament. Because of this, he pocketed a nice £27,000 from the card-game tournament.
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This alone is more than double the prize money De Decker would have won as a loser last 16 (£12,500). Darts fan took to social media to give their reactions on the Belgian’s poker victory.
One said: “Is he any good at pool so he can be a pub triathlete?” Another added: “Is he good at every activity that people spend hours debating whether or not it should be afforded that status of being a sport?”
A third went on to say: “He’s just lucky Little wasn’t playing” and another simply gave the Belgian thrower the nickname: “Mike De Decker-cards.”
It has been quite the few weeks for the Belgian – who stunned the world at the Grand Prix of Darts to win his first major, shocking World No.1 Luke Humphries in the final.
