It’s very rare for a poker player who is in the prime of their career to announce they’re quitting poker.  In fact, it is pretty rare for a player who can make a good living with the game to declare their intentions to walk away from the game.  However, Ville Wahlbeck is not concerned with what other players are doing, and plans to quit poker after the 2009 WSOP is over.

This is strange timing for Wahlbeck to make such an announcement since he won a gold bracelet in the $10,000 Mixed Hold’em World Championship, finished second in the $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship, took third in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud World Championship, and placed 6th in the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship.  In addition to this, the Finn has also placed 13th in the Omaha Hi-Lo World Championship and took 12th place in the $2,500 Razz event.

All of these fantastic finishes have left Wahlbeck second in the WSOP Player of the Year standings and earned him $1,082,176 for the 2009 WSOP.  Even still Ville, who has been a professional for 6 years, is set on retiring from poker at the outset of this Series.  Wahlbeck does think that he’ll still play in tournaments from time to time, but he wants to take his life in a different direction.  He stated this in an interview when he said, “Maybe I won’t quit tournaments entirely, but I’ll definitely cut cash games.”

Ville used to work as a substitute teacher and as a freelance journalist but doesn’t see himself going back to those jobs stating, “Teaching is fun, but really rough.  And writing is a grind.  It’s fun, but it doesn’t pay nearly as well as poker.”  The only clues he gave about his future plans came when Wahlbeck mentioned, “Maybe if a good business opportunity comes along, I’ll take that.”

Today, at 2pm, the 2009 WSOP feel-good-tourney-of-the-year will be hitting the felt. Ante Up for Africa (AUFA), hosted by Don Cheadle and Annie Duke, is raising money for an undeniably great cause – the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

With over $2Million raised, AUFA is hitting its third year. Expect bankable stars, poker pros and a fast-paced gaming. Hollywood A-listers, pros and philanthropists will be gaming for this worthy event.

Proceeds raised will go towards assisting survivors and supporting activism around the cause. If you’re down at the Rio, check out this event. It’s a pretty heavy topic, and one of the most worthwhile events of the entire World Series of Poker.

Matt Damon, Jason Alexandar, Sarah Silverman, Ben Affleck and many more are expected to be out.

GL to all of the players and the organization.