"I find it very exciting," said Kafelnikov, who retired from professional tennis earlier in the week to concentrate his efforts on poker.
"You win not with the cards, but with your skills. With body language you can win a game, but also you can lose a game.
"You need guts in poker, as in tennis. And if you don't believe in your ability, you don't win. In tennis I believed in myself, that's why I had so much success."
The former French and Australian Open champion will have his work cut out to win the first prize of $500,000 (£270,000), with Davis and White having already made a name for themselves in the gambling game.
Snooker legend White defied the odds two years ago when he won the Poker Million event and pocketed £80,000.
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In Texas Hold'em, if everyone checks on the flop you can bet on the turn even if you have nothing. Your opponents will often fold in such a situation, unless they are too many or too loose.
