Poker legend Pierre Neuville has died
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28 Aug 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
Pierre Neuville has died at the age of 83 following a long battle with prostate cancer. The Belgian had carved out an extraordinary career in international poker, eventually reaching the final table of the main event at the World Poker Championships in 2015, aged 72.
A second career begun at the age of 65
He had discovered poker whilst he was a student, but Pierre Neuville waited several decades before turning it into a genuine second career. Born in Belgium on 2 January 1943, he had initially devoted most of his working life to the business world.
In 1969, he founded a company specialising in the development of board games. The business proved successful and was acquired in 1982 by the American toy manufacturer Hasbro.
Following this acquisition, Pierre Neuville remained involved with the group for several years. He then left the company to become an independent consultant.
His poker career took on a new dimension after his retirement in 2008. Pierre Neuville was then 65 years old. At an age when many players already have years of experience on the professional circuit, the Belgian, on the contrary, was embarking on one of the most memorable periods of his life.
Why was Pierre Neuville nicknamed ‘the serial qualifier’?
Pierre Neuville particularly excelled in online qualifying events. He managed to qualify 23 times in a row for the main tournaments on the European circuit.
This was a performance remarkable enough to earn him the nickname “the serial qualifier”. In 2012, he was also named the circuit organiser’s “Online Qualifier of the Year”.
But Neuville wasn’t content merely to secure his places. On two occasions, the Belgian came very close to winning a major title on the European Tour.
In 2009, he finished second in Vilamoura and won €257,681. Three years later, in Copenhagen, he once again took second place, winning exactly the same amount.
At the age of 72, Pierre Neuville achieved his greatest feat
His most spectacular result came even later. In 2015, at the age of 72, Pierre Neuville reached the final table of the main event at the World Poker Championships.
This performance placed him amongst the oldest players ever to have gone so far in the world’s biggest poker tournament.
At that time, the nine finalists had to wait several months before competing in the final stage of the competition. Pierre Neuville eventually finished in seventh place.
His run earned him $1.2 million, the defining result of an international career that began exceptionally late.
Pierre Neuville has died following a battle with prostate cancer
Pierre Neuville died this week at the age of 83, following a long battle with prostate cancer.
His passing brings to a close the extraordinary life of a man who led two very different careers. An entrepreneur and consultant for much of his life, he later became a recognised figure on the international poker scene.
He is survived by his wife Claudine, as well as his family and loved ones.