Poker Player Sean Perry Loses $1.1M Backing San Francisco 49ers

Posted on: February 12, 2024, 02:00h. 

Last updated on: February 12, 2024, 02:35h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.

A poker player who claims to be “the best bettor in the world” failed to live up to his own billing on Sunday night when he lost more than a million dollars on the Super Bowl.

Sean Perry, Super Bowl, $1.1 million, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, poker
Sean Perry, above, lost $1.1 million but told his followers “it happens,” adding that he practices strict bankroll management and doesn’t bet money he can’t afford to lose. (Image: Seminole Hard Rock)

Sean Perry, 27, opted to go large on the San Francisco 49ers, placing a $1.1 million bet at -1.5, which would have returned $2.1 million for a $1 million profit. But the Kansas City Chiefs had other ideas.

As a poker player, Perry has enjoyed multiple six-figure cashes in high-roller events and has gross tournament career earnings of more than $6.8 million, according to the Hendon Mob Database.

Recently, he’s reinvented himself as a sports bettor and handicapper, who claims to be “up eight figures lifetime” when it comes to betting.

Perry posted an image of his Circa sportsbook betting ticket to his X followers on Sunday morning but didn’t reveal the name of the team he was backing. He left it until after kickoff to do that.

‘I’ll Be Back’

To be fair to Perry, for much of the game it looked like a shrewd bet, especially because the line closed at -2 and the Niners were up 10-0 in the second quarter. But the Chiefs stunned their opponents in overtime, winning their third Super Bowl title in five years in a thrilling 25-22 victory.

In a video posted on X late Sunday, Perry appeared touched by his followers’ concern for his well-being after losing such an earthshattering amount of money. But the professional gambler reminded them that he would never stake money he couldn’t afford to lose.

“Guys, I promise you I’m going to be fine,” Perry said. “I’m used to firing millions of dollars on games all the time, and I know I’m going to be back tomorrow … and by the end of the year, I will continue crushing. This last month … I’m up over $4 million.

“So, yes, losing a million in one day sucks, but it happens. That’s part of gambling. I’m not going to tell you guys every bet is guaranteed to win because that doesn’t exist. In the long term, we’re going to get there. As long as we keep beating the closing lines, that’s all that matters.”

Circa Survivor

Perry was one of the finalists in the Circa Survivor sports betting contest, which challenges gamblers to pick one straight-up NFL winner each week, selecting each team only once.

When the field got down to 13 from 9,267 entrants, he refused to chop the $9.2 million first prize.

“With all respect, I’m the best bettor in the world. There’s no way I’m ever chopping. I wish you guys all the best. I’ll see you at the finish line,” Perry said.

He was eliminated in fifth place.