The Dutch poker player Govert Metaal was always a unique character at the poker felt. Gregarious, giving, a born gambler, Govert enjoyed the vagaries of lady luck and built enduring friendships at the felt. He also won big… very big. After tournament cashes worth almost $3.3 million, Govert heads to one of his favorite poker destinations in April, the Irish Open in Dublin.

As we found out, it’s the first chapter in a new life for the Dutch businessman… one he never expected to see.

Game, Interrupted

“There was a 99% chance I wouldn’t survive.”

Govert Metaal is a Dutch poker legend. Playing the game of No Limit Hold’em for the best part of two decades, Govert is known as much for his colorful personality as his is his remarkable record at the felt. Sitting 12^th on the All-Time Money List for Dutch players, Metaal’s hat and scarf made his as physically famous as his play at the poker felt.

As we speak about his career, he mentions the constant in his life, his wife.

“I travel to play poker everywhere in the world with my wife, I always did. We go to places like Las Vegas, Bahamas, Barcelona, Monte Carlo – places where it’s nice for her. I play poker – it’s a hobby for me now – and she enjoys the holiday.”

This life suited Govert well until the renowned businessman checked into hospital in 2021. Struggling to breathe, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and his condition quickly got worse.

“I got to the hospital with COVID, but I was not ill. They put me in intensive care, and I stayed there for almost five months. I was in hospital for six months.”

Govert’s condition worsened as he lay in a coma for 15 weeks. At that time, his life appeared to be over.

“There was a 99% chance I wouldn’t survive,” he says. “The doctors, even my children, everyone accepted that they’d have to pull the plug. But my wife asked to call another doctor and maybe it’s a miracle, I don’t know. I recovered very slowly.”

Govert came out of the coma and survived, coming back to what he calls a ‘second life’. Always a fit, strong man, life has changed now.

“My lungs are very bad,” he says. “I’m still a fit person, but if I walk upstairs, I’m out of breath. Playing poker, I’m sitting still, so I have no problems. It’s the only sport I can play now!”

Govert considers it a miracle that he was able to come out of hospital after looking likely to pass away. Every day since has been filled with gratitude.

“It’s crazy, unbelievable, that I survived. Millions and millions of people died from COVID and afterwards, the long-term symptoms persist. I can only walk slowly, and when I go upstairs, I’m so out of breath. My lungs will never recover.”

Recognised by the Poker Hall of Fame

“I don’t agree with Hellmuth. You’re sitting down, it’s not a heavy sport.”

Govert always played poker but got the bug in the game 18 years ago. He started playing No Limit Hold’em and never looked back, playing hundreds of tournaments until COVID sent him into a lengthy break of over two years out of the game. Since then, with no need to work in business, he now plays only for pleasure.

“In 2023, I started playing poker again,” he tells us. “I’m 66 years old now and I was 99% dead. Now I want to enjoy life.”

Last November, Govert arrived at the Masters Classics of Poker festival in Amsterdam and in an emotional ceremony, was indicted into the Poker Hall of Fame in the Netherlands for 2024.

“It’s a lot of recognition from everyone – the people of Holland voted for me,” says Govert, clearly emotional about the outpouring of love for him coming from so many he has either shared the felt with or entertained in their thousands. “The poker community is very close. I know everybody and we like each other. It’s so nice to see them and play with them in tournaments. There are a lot of very good Dutch players now.”

Govert’s biggest ever result in poker was the $240,470 he won at the 2011 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA), coming fifth in the $25,000 NLHE High Roller. The final table featured Jason Mercier, Erik Seidel and Maxim Lykov but to Govert, the most important results he’s had have been in the most unique event of them all – the World Championship.

“The [WSOP] Main Event is a special one,” he says. “I consider it the best tournament there is and I don’t agree with Hellmuth [about a break day being needed]. You’re sitting down, it’s not a heavy sport. You take care of yourself and play 10 hours a day. I like the structure, I wouldn’t change it; that’s why its special – you can play your own game. I’ve played soft fields, strong fields, but the Main Event is special.”

“I’d Prefer to Die at the Poker Table.”

“From January, I played eight tournaments and cashed in all eight of them.”

Govert used to travel the world playing the biggest tournaments in the world. Recent years have seen him scale back poker, but after his recovery, he’s built up his hours at the live felt over the past couple of years.

“I’ve played for 18 years, I’m very old school,” he laughs. “I’m on a good run. From January, I played eight tournaments and cashed in all eight of them. Now I want to play some Triton $25,000 events.”

Govert joined PokerStake a year ago and has staked some of his Dutch friends. He’s always sold action, but now he’s doing it on PokerStake.

“I have a lot of friends who already take a piece of me, but I sell a smaller percentage on PokerStake and play $10,000 events in Monaco,” he says. “I like PokerStake. A year ago, I made an account and I’m always playing tournaments. I don’t do it for the money, I do it because I like it.”

Last year, Govert travelled to Ireland joined the legions of Dutch players in attempting to take down one of poker’s oldest live events.

“I liked it very much. The structure, big fields, and a lot of Dutch players that I know. There are also a lot of players that come to the World Series from Scandinavia and the Netherlands, as well as to Ireland, England or Scotland. Dutch players are very good and have become better and better. But then, all players are better than they were 10 years ago!”

In recent weeks, Govert watched on as his fellow sexagenarian Tom Aksel-Bedellfrom Norway, aged 64, won $709,000 on the Triton Tour. Govert has known Tom for years and his success has been inspiring. The biggest inspiration to Govert, however, is his wife. Were it not for her intervention, he might not be here to enjoy the game of poker – one he intends on enjoying for a long time to come.

“I always say to my wife that I’d prefer to die at the poker table than dying in intensive care. I hope I’ll play poker for another 10 years.”

Govert Metaal has already beaten the kind of odds that no-one should have to take on. Now, his second life continues at the felt, and on his official PokerStake player page.