Prime Superstar Poker Gamers

Flip the channel to any high-stakes poker occasion, and likelihood is excessive that you’re going to see a minimum of one Hollywood celeb within the thick of the motion. With versatile schedules and larger-than-average bankrolls, celebrities have each the time and inclination to hone their poker enjoying expertise in tournaments around the globe. Some, in fact, by no means rise above the rank of novice, however others go on to develop into acquainted faces on the planet of poker. What follows is an inventory of ten of the perfect celeb poker gamers on the planet (listed in no explicit order).

Ben Affleck – It is laborious to argue Affleck’s standing as among the best celeb poker gamers on the planet after he gained the California State Poker Championship in June of 2004 (the place he gained $356,400). When he isn’t performing in films reminiscent of Daredevil or Armageddon, Affleck collects classic video-arcade machines and has been recognized to take poker classes from professionals like Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke. His win on the California Championship additionally certified him for a seat on the 2004 World Poker Tour last event.

Patrick Bruel – Patrick Bruel is a widely known French singer and actor, having carried out in over 40 tv and movie productions and recorded quite a few top-selling albums. He additionally occurs to be a world-class poker participant. So whereas he could go unrecognized by American film audiences, poker gamers from around the globe will immediately acknowledge his face. Why? Nicely, in 1998 Patrick picked up a World Collection of Poker bracelet for profitable the 1998 $5000 Restrict Maintain’em occasion. He has additionally positioned within the cash quite a few instances in WSOP occasions, and earned over $750,000 in stay play occasions.

Jennifer Tilly – This Oscar-nominated actress has starred in such hits as The Fabulous Baker Boys and Bullets Over Broadway. Nonetheless, she has publicly said that she’s changing into extra serious about poker than performing. One have a look at her accomplishments within the poker world and it is easy to see why. In June of 2005, Tilly outlasted 600 different gamers and gained her first World Collection of Poker bracelet (and $158,625) within the Women’ No-Restrict Maintain’em occasion, changing into the primary celeb to take action. She has additionally gained the World Poker Tour Women Invitational Event and competed in Poker Royale, Poker Superstars, and Superstar Poker Showdown.

Josh Malina – With performing credit reminiscent of Sports activities Evening and The West Wing, Malina is a revered actor of each the stage and display. He’s additionally an avid poker participant. In actual fact, when he was struggling to get his profession off the bottom, he would typically play poker in an effort to come up with the money for to pay his lease. Now that he is financially safe, Malina is spreading his love of poker by producing Bravo’s Superstar Poker Showdown.

Matt Damon – After starring within the poker movie Rounders, you may count on the world-famous Damon to know his manner round a deck of playing cards. He is a daily entrant within the annual World Collection of Poker, and his most attention-grabbing WSOP story occurred again in 1998. Miramax Studios entered each he and Edward Norton within the WSOP Predominant Occasion ($10,000 buy-in) to advertise the upcoming Rounders. Damon performed effectively, however he was eradicated on the primary day by poker legend Doyle Brunson after Damon’s pocket kings did not beat Brunson’s pocket aces.

Tobey Maguire – In October of 2004, the star of the Spider-Man franchise demonstrated his poker expertise by profitable the first-ever Phil Hellmuth Invitational Poker Event. He additionally picked up $95,480 for the win, inflicting Andy Bellin to comment to Phil Hellmuth, “This kid could possibly be a authentic professional.” He has completed within the cash in a number of different occasions and has acquired classes from poker professional Daniel Negreanu. And remember the fact that he is solely been enjoying severely since 2004.

James Woods – Having starred in films reminiscent of Salvador and One other Day in Paradise, James Woods is certainly one of America’s most revered actors. And never solely is he a well-recognized face in poker rooms throughout the nation, he is additionally the face of a brand new poker web site. Their promoting level is that gamers have an opportunity to match poker wits with high stars like Woods. Not that matching wits with Woods is a good suggestion, contemplating he has a 180 I.Q. In 2006, Woods completed in twenty fourth place out of 692 on the L.A. Poker Basic for $40,000.

Mimi Rogers – When she’s not starring in hits like Misplaced in House and Austin Powers, Mimi Rogers moonlights as a reasonably darn good poker participant. Tom Cruise’s ex-wife took first place on an episode of Hollywood Dwelling Recreation, and in addition completed within the cash through the World Poker Tour’s Taking pictures Star Championship.

Wil Wheaton – One of many stars of Stand by Me and Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology, Wheaton performs in big-money video games in Los Angeles on a regular basis, is a frequent participant in on-line poker rooms, and was even invited to play within the World Poker Tour Championship. He’s additionally a member of Group PokerStars and performed within the 2005 World Collection of Poker dewa poker.

Gabe Kaplan – Finest recognized for his function on Welcome Again Kotter, Gabe Kaplan is such an achieved poker participant that almost all now not regard him as a “celeb” participant. His first World Collection of Poker look got here in 1978. In 2004, he completed third on the World Poker Tour’s No Restrict Maintain’em occasion, profitable greater than $250,000 within the course of. He has additionally taken second place within the World Collection of Poker Restrict Maintain’em occasion. His profession event poker earnings exceed $680,000. He additionally serves as an professional poker commentator, having appeared on such reveals because the Nationwide Heads-Up Poker Championship, Intercontinental Poker Championship, and Excessive Stakes Poker.