Poker is a game of simplicity and easy quite easy to adapt to once you memorize the hands and play consistently by the rules. The game appeals to the public eye for its intelligent moves and cunning implementation of strategies; but are you aware, that poker is also very common among singers and Hollywood folk?
In the past, top poker players were either actors or celebrities who loved engaging in it as a pastime. Some blew a lot of money while others were able to etch their names in the gaming industry.
Currently, five famous faces have made it big, not only in the casinos but also in the poker tournaments. Be prepared as we reveal in detail, each celebrity poker player and how they came to achieve their present successes.
Jennifer Tilly
Hollywood actress Jennnifer Tilly has been a regular high-stakes poker player since 2004. Her father, Harry Chan, gifted her a poker game named ‘World Series of Poker’, which played a big role in igniting her interest in poker.
In the 2005 World Series of Poker in the women’s no-limit Texas Hold’em tournament, Jennifer won a WPOS bracelet and a cash prize of around $158,000. This victory earned her the title of first celebrity champion in history.
She is regularly seen in poker shows and contests, which have contributed to her Net Worth of $90 million to date. For the Ladies No-Limit Texas Hold’em event in 2005, she was coached by the professional poker player Phil Laak, now her current boyfriend.
Tobey Maguire
Do you ever imagine Spider-Man playing poker? You better do now. Tobey Maguire, the actor who played the phenomenal role of Peter Parker, is a top-tier poker player.
Around 2005, Maguire co-organized a regular high-stakes game in Los Angeles with television producer Houston Curtis. These games gained notoriety in the poker world due to the celebrity clientele and large sums of money exchanged. While we don’t have an exact timestamp on his first win, his success in these games is well-documented, with some estimates suggesting potential earnings of $30-$40 million.
Matt Damon
Notably known for his main roles in ‘Good Will Hunting’ and ‘Talented Mr. Ripely, Matt Damon has made regular appearances at The World Series Poker. His appearance in the 1998 film Rounders is well-known in the poker community.
In 1988, for the first time that year, Damon participated in the World Series of Poker, from which he was eliminated by “Texas Dolly” Doyle Brunson. Though Damon’s presence was wholly meant for the film’s promotion, it launched his poker career.
In 2017, the American biographical film “Molly’s Game” received an outstanding ovation for its portrayal of the poker world. Damon played the cameo of a cash game participant; though most of his scenes were behind the scenes.
He may not have earned much throughout his poker career, but he has won the hearts and admiration of many through his character’s story in Rounders.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck shares the same hobby as his long-time friend Matt Damon. Along with being a successful actor, he has amassed a large fortune through poker.
Affleck’s main focus was primarily on blackjack in his beginner days, which later won him a cash prize of $800,000 at the blackjack table. Casino professionals Annie Duke and Amir Vahedi coached Affleck in the art of poker.
Affleck defeated high-stakes poker pros in a competition and took home a prize of over $350,000. Even for a well-known professional poker player, that is a big stack of chips. The only negative aspect is that he participated in just two real poker tournaments.
Like Tobey Maguire, Affleck was also a big player in Molly Bloom’s covert poker games.
Affleck has won more than $1 million in live poker events, despite not participating in many of them.
Jay-Z
Rappers are among those who appreciate a game of Texas Hold’Em when the opportunity arises, demonstrating the popularity of poker outside of the music industry.
Among them is Jay-Z, who is well-known for his love of poker and has been seen when on tour at poker venues in London. It’s been said that he lost a lot of money when he first started playing, but he can afford it now that he’s improved and is supposedly doing okay.
He competed in private poker games with both Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Hart, and he enjoys playing the game with other celebrities.
Conclusion
Poker, a prominent game in casinos, has not only captured the hearts of celebrities but also that of the public. We live in an era that no longer requires us to move out of our house, instead, we can avail of any service through our smartphones. There are various online casinos out there with some of the most refined poker games. One such example would be Jeeto88 casino, a well-known name in the Indian territory. With its wide rows of casino games, user-friendly interface, smooth navigation, and top-tier live dealers, Jeeto88 makes a perfect destination for both novices and professionals.
