Hans Neimann discusses poker again

The chess grandmaster who once called poker "degenerate" was discussing the poker staking economy last week on Twitch.

One of the most controversial figures in chess (and not the most popular guy in poker), Hans Niemann, has been talking about poker again. 

Being interviewed by The Thread Guy on Twitch, he dicussed staking in poker, educating his host om the matter. 

Hans Niemann reveals that the best poker players sell their action so others can fund their buy-ins

“There are a lot of poker websites where high-level players can sell their action. These guys don’t want to risk their bankroll. Let’s say you’re playing a game with a $5M buy-in.… pic.twitter.com/T4MrIbpCx9

— Mikli (@CryptoMikli) April 18, 2026

No doubt comparing top level chess to top level poker, he explained that poker players derisk by selling action. The clip has gone semi viral, with over 150,000 views on X alone. 

However, his example might have gone a step too far, as he cited a poker player in a $5 million buy-in game, which are rare, if not non existant, to say the least. 

The "bad boy" of chess

If the name is familar to you, Neimann is one of the "bad boys" of chess, who famously had Magnus Carlsen walk out on Neimann in a chess tournament. 

It is speculated that Carlsen walked out in protest after a number of cheating allegations. Neimann had been alleged to have been cheated online previously and was the player at the centre of an infamous, unsubstantiated, "anal bead" accusation of cheating. 

He has previously called poker "degenerate" and lambasted chess star Alexandra Botez for promoting the game of poker.