Prime Movie star Poker Gamers
Flip the channel to any high-stakes poker occasion, and likelihood is excessive that you’re going to see not less than 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 taking part in abilities in tournaments all over the world. Some, in fact, by no means rise above the rank of newbie, however others go on to grow to be acquainted faces on the earth of poker. What follows is a listing of ten of the most effective celeb poker gamers on the earth (listed in no specific order).
Ben Affleck – It is laborious to argue Affleck’s standing as probably the greatest celeb poker gamers on the earth after he gained the California State Poker Championship in June of 2004 (the place he gained $356,400). When he isn’t performing in motion pictures equivalent to Daredevil or Armageddon, Affleck collects classic video-arcade machines and has been recognized to take poker classes from execs like Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke. His win on the California Championship additionally certified him for a seat on the 2004 World Poker Tour ultimate match.
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 might go unrecognized by American film audiences, poker gamers from all over the world will immediately acknowledge his face. Why? Properly, in 1998 Patrick picked up a World Sequence 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 acknowledged that she’s changing into extra curious 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 Sequence of Poker bracelet (and $158,625) within the Girls’ No-Restrict Maintain’em occasion, changing into the primary celeb to take action. She has additionally gained the World Poker Tour Girls Invitational Match and competed in Poker Royale, Poker Superstars, and Movie star Poker Showdown.
Josh Malina – With performing credit equivalent to Sports activities Night time and The West Wing, Malina is a revered actor of each the stage and display. He’s additionally an avid poker participant. In truth, when he was struggling to get his profession off the bottom, he would usually play poker to be able 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 Movie star Poker Showdown.
Matt Damon – After starring within the poker movie Rounders, you would possibly anticipate the world-famous Damon to know his approach round a deck of playing cards. He is an everyday entrant within the annual World Sequence of Poker, and his most attention-grabbing WSOP story occurred again in 1998. Miramax Studios entered each he and Edward Norton within the WSOP Fundamental Occasion ($10,000 buy-in) to advertise the upcoming Rounders. Damon performed nicely, 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 abilities by profitable the first-ever Phil Hellmuth Invitational Poker Match. He additionally picked up $95,480 for the win, inflicting Andy Bellin to comment to Phil Hellmuth, “This kid could possibly be a respectable professional.” He has completed within the cash in a number of different occasions and has acquired classes from poker professional Daniel Negreanu. And needless to say he is solely been taking part in critically since 2004.
James Woods – Having starred in motion pictures equivalent to Salvador and One other Day in Paradise, James Woods is one in all 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 website. 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 an efficient idea, contemplating he has a 180 I.Q. In 2006, Woods completed in 24th place out of 692 on the L.A. Poker Basic for $40,000 dewapoker.
Mimi Rogers – When she’s not starring in hits like Misplaced in Area and Austin Powers, Mimi Rogers moonlights as a fairly darn good poker participant. Tom Cruise’s ex-wife took first place on an episode of Hollywood Home Sport, and in addition completed within the cash in the course of the World Poker Tour’s Capturing 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 online 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 Sequence of Poker.
Gabe Kaplan – Finest recognized for his position on Welcome Again Kotter, Gabe Kaplan is such an achieved poker participant that almost all not regard him as a “celeb” participant. His first World Sequence 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 Sequence of Poker Restrict Maintain’em occasion. His profession match poker earnings exceed $680,000. He additionally serves as an skilled poker commentator, having appeared on such exhibits because the Nationwide Heads-Up Poker Championship, Intercontinental Poker Championship, and Excessive Stakes Poker.