Govert Metaal

Govert Metaal (born 1959 in 's-Gravenhage, Netherlands) is a Dutch poker legend with live tournament earnings exceeding $3.3 million. He currently resides in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and is ranked 12th on the Netherlands All Time Money List. Metaal is known for his signature hat and scarf, as well as his gregarious and gambling-driven personality.

Before poker, Metaal worked as a street paver and later became an investor and businessman. He discovered his talent for gambling and cards at a young age, which eventually led him to poker. He began playing No Limit Hold'em tournaments around 2006 and recorded his first live cash in 2007.

Metaal's biggest live cash came in 2011 at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, where he finished 5th in a $25,000 High Roller event for $240,470. His largest tournament victory occurred in 2013 at the Fallsview Poker Classic in Canada, winning a $10,000 High Roller for $176,836. He was named the Global Poker Index Player of the Year for the Netherlands in both 2011 and 2013. In 2023, he placed 7th in the €5,300 EPT Prague Main Event for €160,750, proving he could still compete with younger players.

In 2021, Metaal was hospitalized with COVID-19 and placed in a coma for 15 weeks. Doctors gave him a 1% chance of survival, but against all odds, he recovered after six months in hospital. The experience left him with permanent lung damage, limiting his physical activity. He credits his wife for calling another doctor when others were ready to pull the plug, calling his survival a miracle.

In November 2024, during the Master Classics of Poker in Amsterdam, Metaal was inducted into the Dutch Poker Hall of Fame. The honor is awarded by voting among sitting Hall of Fame members and the poker community. He joins notable Dutch players such as Noah Boeken, Marcel Lüske, and Jorryt van Hoof.

Metaal is often referred to as a "eindbaas" (Dutch slang for a boss or top dog) in the Dutch poker scene. He relies more on life experience and people-reading skills than advanced strategy, often appearing as a casual businessman while being a formidable opponent. He is known for his friendly, gregarious nature at the tables and has built many enduring friendships through poker.