Poker Writer
Fedor Holz announced that he is stepping down as GGPoker ambassador, as he will not renew the role he has held for six years. Holz joined GGPoker as an ambassador in May 2020 as part of the online poker giant’s acquisition of names across the poker world.
The 32-year-old two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Holz announced the news on X on Saturday. He made it sound like he is stepping away from poker as a whole and not just GGPoker, turning his focus to family and other ventures.
We are trying to have kids this year, and I’m launching an investment fund, so that will be my full focus going forward.
Although it appears as though he will not completely disappear from the poker felt, as he may still make a couple of poker-related trips a year, according to his reply to a question on X.
GGPoker Integrity Ambassador
During the last couple of years in his time as GGPoker ambassador, Holz focused on promoting integrity on the site. He became the GGPoker Integrity Ambassador in 2024, after fellow high-roller player Jason Koon left the role.
The most prominent moment as integrity ambassador came in February 2025 when GGPoker blocked 31 player accounts for violating fair play rules. Holz claimed that those cheating on GGPoker online would also be banned from live WSOP events as well.
No further details on such bans ever emerged.
This Isn’t Holz’s First Retirement
This is not the first time that the German poker superstar has stepped away from the game that has provided him $52 million in cashes over the years. In 2016, he “retired” from full-time poker at just 23 years of age, at the height of his playing strength, when he was arguably the best tournament player in the world.
It was not so much a retirement as it was a transition to playing select events while focusing on other business ventures and entrepreneurship. Since then, he has continued to play poker consistently, recording several tournament cashes each year since 2016, except in 2019. High-roller events produced most of those scores, with Holz frequently appearing and cashing at Triton Poker Series events in particular.
Holz’s Business Ventures
Along with focusing on starting a family, Holz also cited “launching an investment fund” as another reason for leaving GGPoker.
He did not clarify exactly what he is investing in. But Holz is used to branching out into various avenues. He has had numerous business ventures over the years since the early days of his career.
In 2017, Holz co-founded Vienna-based company Primed Mind, which offers mindset coaching featuring visualization and goal-setting techniques. That same year, he invested in Envy Gaming, an Esports parent company. He has also spent time building Pokercode, a still-active poker training product, as well as fostering a stable of players.
Well Wishes From the Poker World
Holz has generally been a popular, well-respected figure in the poker world since the start of his career. Players such as Jeff Gross, Alan Keating, and Lukas Robinson, among others, offered their well-wishes for Holz’s forthcoming personal and professional ventures.
