Neymar shows off poker skills with bluffs aplenty after a World Cup the Brazilian spent conning referees

Neymar, who was in the Brazil side that lost 2-1 to Belgium in the quarter-finals of the World Cup earlier this month, turned his R$7,000 (US$1,877) entry stake into R$79,440 (US$21,308) before being eliminated in the final of the high roller event, organisers said.

“I’m very happy to be playing this tournament for the first time and for reaching the final with some great players,” the 26-year old Paris St Germain forward said, moments before the final began. “This is a new experience for me.”

Neymar signed up for the tournament with five of his friends on Monday and was the only one of the six to make it through to the second day.

The final table of nine players was scheduled to play on Tuesday night but the contestants agreed to postpone for a day to allow Neymar to attend a friend’s wedding.

He returned to compete on Wednesday but after almost four hours of play was eliminated after betting big on two consecutive losing hands.