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Since Las Vegas emerged as a playground for the rich and famous, poker has long appealed to Hollywood’s A-listers. After all, their skills as acclaimed actors are valuable in the game, helping them to bluff and surprise their unsuspecting opponents. In this guide, we’ve looked at the most well-known celebrity poker players, from Ben Affleck to Jennifer Tilly.
Why Poker?
While it would be easy to think that celebrities only have something to lose from public poker games, it’s likely this reason that encourages them to play. Their deep pockets give them access to high-stakes tables, and they can use competitors’ preconceived notions of them to their advantage.
Poker is also a stimulating game that requires strategy and emotional control. Mastery takes practice, though. Fortunately, there are social poker sites that offer free games and real money cash prizes. Using Global Poker codes is a great way to gain access to these games for little investment, providing users with an opportunity to cheaply hone their skills. After all, we don’t all have the bankroll of the top celebrity poker stars.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is not just known for his directing and acting. The star has long had a reputation for his love of poker, crashing onto the scene after winning the 2004 California State Poker Championship. The win earned him a prize of $356,400, which was his last major public poker success.
However, this wasn’t the end of his poker exploits. Affleck was one of the many A-List stars that is said to have been involved with Molly Bloom’s high-profile poker ring, which was later turned into the film Molly’s Game. He is also frequently spotted at Wynn Resorts’ high-rollers rooms.
Tobey Maguire
The former Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire is known for his insatiable appetite for high-stakes poker. The actor was specifically mentioned in Molly Bloom’s memoir, where he is reported to have been a key player in the scheme. He is also believed to have won tens of millions of dollars.
Those who played against Maguire reported that he had a sharp, analytical mind and could be ruthless. There is no word on whether the actor still plays the game, but if his history tells us anything, he prefers to shroud his gameplay in secrecy.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon isn’t just a star poker player. His role in the 1998 film Rounders is believed to have helped to spark the early 2000s poker boom. The role saw Damon trained by professional poker players, and since then, he’s benefited from his knowledge to great success. The actor competed in both the 1998 and 2010 World Series of Poker, making it to the main event in 2010.
He has also participated in several poker-themed fundraisers and celebrity tournaments. With recent news suggesting that a Rounders 2 could be in the works, Matt Damon’s connection to the poker world isn’t dying down any time soon.
Jennifer Tilly
Actress Jennifer Tilly is the most successful name on this list, having won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2005. Her win in the Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold’em earned her over $150,000, with her total poker winnings nearing $1 million. She is a regular staple of poker TV shows, showcasing her cheerful charisma and serious skills to adoring audiences.
Poker and Hollywood: A Perfect Match
These stars have proven that their talents are far more diverse than acting and directing. Through their strategic play and natural bluffing abilities, they have earned hefty sums in high-stakes poker games and respect in the poker scene.