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It was only February this year, but one of the big stories from early 2024 was Shaun Deeb’s bold $1 million prop bet with hedge fund manager Bill Perkins.

Just under 12 months earlier, the five-time WSOP bracelet winner wagered $100,000 against Perkins that he could reduce his body fat to 17% by the start of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP). With 10:1 odds, Deeb stood to win $1 million if successful.

Having undergone a huge physical transformation, the culmination of the story saw Deeb accept a six-figure buyout in early 2024, showing that the era of high-stakes prop bets isn’t over!

The Bet That Sparked a Transformation

In March 2023, Deeb weighed 306 pounds and was set the task of drastically reducing his body fat percentage from 40.2% to 17%. When surveyed, almost two-thirds of PokerNews readers said that his chances were between “highly unlikely” and “not a chance in hell.”

Early gym sessions were grueling, but his determination remained steadfast. “I’m coming for you, Bill,” he declared, sharing updates with his growing social media audience.

Fast forward to January 2024, and Deeb’s efforts were paying off. A follow-up scan revealed his body fat had dropped to 23.9%, down from over 40%. He had shed more than 80 pounds, cutting his fat mass in half—from 119.2 pounds to 53.2 pounds.

With just over three months remaining before the WSOP, Perkins offered Deeb an $800,000 buyout, recognizing Deeb’s determination and the likelihood of reaching the 17% goal. Deeb accepted but pledged to continue his fitness journey out of respect for those who had side bets on his success.

Balancing Fitness, Family, and Poker

“(Perkins) knew I was ahead of pace, knew my trainers were doing everything right. I was maintaining my lean muscle mass,” Deeb told PokerNews in a February 2024 interview.

“The only challenge I had was just balancing home life and the kids, giving my wife a break, or trying to do that without completely neglecting them,”

To minimize the risk of injury, his trainer adjusted workouts whenever Deeb experienced discomfort.

“My trainer would back off for fear of injury on days I had even the slightest hint of pain,” he explained.

Deeb credits assembling a top-notch fitness team—trainer, nutritionist, and massage therapist—within 48 hours of accepting the bet. “Knowing what I know a year later, I had the ideal team,” he reflected. This well-rounded support system ensured he followed the right exercise regimen, maintained a high-protein diet, and prioritized recovery.

Throughout the journey, Deeb stayed disciplined, rarely deviating from his plan. “Last week, there were cookies on the counter, and I broke off one little corner and ate it. That was my cheat for like a month,” he recounted.

Even after accepting the buyout, Deeb remained laser-focused. “I didn’t celebrate, didn’t have pizza, didn’t cheat on meals, didn’t delete my meal plans. I am committed to proving to people it’s possible. And if I can do it, anyone can do it.”

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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