Actors And Celebrities That Play Poker

It comes as no surprise that poker would be the game of choice for the most elite of television screen stars in Hollywood. The game is elegant, delivers monumental cash payouts, and let’s be honest, the famous stars of Hollywood enjoy mimicking the character from ‘Casino Royale’ best known as our beloved James Bond games and movies. So, while it’s not surprising that poker is the card game of choice, what is surprising are the poker enthusiasts, our very own stars of Hollywood, the ones that grace our screens, and finally, just how good they really are.

While every man wants to be James Bond and every glamorous gal wants to be the gorgeous eye candy on his arm, you will find yourself in awe of the Hollywood stars who not only play poker but who excel at the card game.

We take a look at some of the most prominent actors and actresses of Hollywood, but we have to warn you, it may come as a shock!

Poker Player Matt Damon

From seasoned actor to Oscar winner, screenwriter, and film producer, Matt Damon doesn’t need a poker guide to find his way around bets. In fact, Matt Damon is considered to be a veteran player since his poker debut in 1998. The need first arose when the famous Hollywood actor played the lead in Rounders. Not long thereafter, Matt Damon competed for the WSOP. Even though this was his first loss, it was not the last time the actor would compete in the World Series of Poker. Just 2 years later, in 2010, Rounder’s star Matt Damon won his first WSOP bracelet. Though there isn’t much news relating to any recent poker events concerning Matt Damon, the inside scoop is that the educated film actor and producer enjoys playing Texas Hold’em amongst his dearest friends.

Poker Player Jennifer Tilly

If you have watched the Bride of Chucky movie, or perhaps you have been a bit more eccentric in your movie genres and watched Bound, you would most assuredly know Jennifer Tilly. This born and bred actress has sure got a knack for winning Texas Hold’em games, and she too has warmed a few seats around the Las Vegas WSOP tournaments. This beloved Hollywood star fell in love with the game of chance and skill back in 1996. This is when she won her first WSOP bracelet and thousands of dollars by the end of the tournament. Finally, she came first in 1998’s Bellagio Cup. This is where she made international headlines for winning just over $3 million. Tilly has been an online sensation and has even made it into influential magazines such as Forbes.

Kevin Hart

This American-loved and adored actor has made headlines for playing the ‘Craziest Poker Hand’. The video can be watched all over YouTube and it would appear that the Jumanji actor has people exploring his history with the game. The actor is amazingly entertaining and has sat amongst some of the most talented professional poker players in the Super High Roller back in 2018. Kevin Hart also enjoys No-Limit Hold’em.

Ben Affleck

Possibly one of our favourite Hollywood poker players in Hollywood was the main actor on screen for movies including Gone Girl, Batman vs. Superman, and The Accountant. Also, in addition to his incredibly successful acting career, Ben enjoys himself a poker tournament here and there. So much so that he has over a decade’s footprint within the poker touring industry. In fact, the Hollywood actor has been in several WSOPs and has even won. Another uncanny fact regarding the history of Ben Affleck and poker is that he too was a star in the movie Rounders alongside famous poker player, and friend, Matt Damon.

Jason Alexander

Most recognized for his roles in Seinfeld and as Richard Gere’s best friend in Pretty Woman, Jason Alexander has also built a reputation for his romance with poker. The man has a history and a long agenda with poker and has even been estimated to have accumulated over $30 000 in poker tournaments.

Shannon Elizabeth

Known for her sassy role in American Pie, Shannon Elizabeth is also known as an American model, actress, and poker player. She may be the only famous Hollywood actress that was found out early in her poker career as she was under the gaze of almost every American, thanks to her striking good looks and instant fame. The lady of luck swiftly grew within poker power rings and finished 3^rd in the NBC National Poker Championship. Although she was sighted to only play one game in 2010, it is hoped that the starlite will return and light up the screens of televisions all over the globe with another poker tournament.

Kevin Pollack

This fine gentleman has quite the resume when it comes to accomplishments in his life. Some of his career highlights include being an American actor in the Whole 9 Yards, the Wedding Planner, and a Few Good Men. He was also, for a momentary moment, the host for Celebrity Poker Show. Other achievements include a successful career in hosting a podcast, being a comedian, and also an impressionist. His poker career began in 2012 and he has even participated in the WSOP, finishing just over 134^th in the tournament.

Tobey Maguire

We all knew and adored our most loved Spiderman, Toby Maguire. However, it would appear that Tobey Maguire may love poker more than being Spiderman. He too has acted in poker movies and has the reputation for being a high-stakes player. He is also believed to be one of the strongest poker players to date, and mystery clouds the many stories the rich and famous have to tell about Tobey’s success.

Most of these famous poker players have been living a low-profile life and it comes as news to many that any one of them would have been successful enough to join the World Series of Poker. However, simply knowing that these people are just like us, they too enjoy fun past-times, makes us want to keep up not with the Kardashians, but rather, with these incredible minds that have talent and are luckier than most when it comes to playing poker.

On top of that, Maguire was also a frequent visitor of the Viper Room, the infamous underground, high-stake poker event, organized by Molly Bloom. Her experiences with Maguire, and a slew of other actors, were documented in her memoir, Molly’s Game, which very soon after release got a film adaptation. In the film, the character named “Player X” is believed to have been based on Maguire, as well as a number of Hollywood celebrities who also participated in her games.

Leonardo di Caprio

The friendship that Leonardo di Caprio and Tobey Maguire share is no secret. The two are inseparable, in a similar vein to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. And just like those two, Maguire and di Caprio share similar hobbies, and passions. Chief among them, is their love of poker. Though, the legendary Titanic actor’s fandom of the game is not nearly as publicized as Maguire’s, it is no secret that he loves a good round of Texas Hold’em.

If the stories are to be believed, di Caprio was also a frequent visitor of the Viper Room. Though he may be a much more well-known face than Tobey Maguire, in the poker room, he played second fiddle. If the rumors are to be believed, Maguire was, and still is among the best poker players in the world. No such legends or stories exist about di Caprio. What we do know is that he definitely enjoys a round of poker or two.

50 Cent

The rapper, actor, and producer, Curtis James Jackson III is one of the biggest names in hip hop. He originally got his start with Eminem’s label, and boosted by the legendary music icon, Jackson pretty soon made a name for himself. Widely considered one of the rappers responsible for “the Bling era” of hip hop, 50 Cent is an icon in rap music, and in entertainment. Apart from his work in music, Curtis also has become involved with cryptocurrency and gambling.

What few know about Fifty, is that he enjoys a good game of poker, now and then. The rapper has been spotted several times in casinos throughout the country (and even worldwide). He apparently has a special proclivity towards poker, though has been spotted enjoying other games as well. But, casino games are not the only way that Curtis Jackson chooses to engage with the gambling industry.

According to some of his closest friends and associates, 50 Cent is also quite passionate about sports betting. In fact, he has publically placed bets on several well-known athletic competitions, most of them in the realm of boxing. Notoriously, Fifty was good friends with Floyd Mayweather, and constantly wagered in his favor. That is, until a falling out, which resulted in 50 Cent placing an exorbitant bet on Mayweather losing a match, seemingly out of spite.

Victoria Coren Mitchell

For this next name, we are taking a look outside of Hollywood. Victoria Coren Mitchell is one of the UK’s best-known names. She writes weekly columns for the Daily Telegraph, and has been the weekly host of Only Connect, one of the BBC’s biggest and most popular quiz shows. Though she is one of the most recognizable figures in British entertainment, Mitchell is also well-known in one other market; poker.

In fact, she is a staple in the UK poker circuit, and has been for quite a while. Before making it big in TV, Mitchell was a frequent guest of the London Vic poker room, where she could be seen testing her luck at the poker table, or even partaking in some of the high-stake tournaments. She may not be as recognizable as Di Caprio, or as good at poker as Maguire, but she certainly has, or at least once had, a passion for the game.

Aaron Paul

Though Aaron Paul began his journey towards celebrity as a contestant on Jeopardy!, today most know him from his portrayal of Jessie Pinkman in the hit crime-drama, Breaking Bad. The actor also did a great job voicing Todd, Bojack’s best friend in the hit animated show, Bojack Horseman. A business-minded guy, Paul also recently launched a tequila brand in collaboration with his colleague and friend, Bryan Cranston, with whom he grew close on the set of Breaking Bad.

Apart from being a great actor, and quite a business savvy guy, Paul is also a pretty noteworthy poker player. But, Aaron Paul is not just your average player. He has competed in the PokerStars Championship, and even managed to reach the second day in the World Series of Poker competition. Pretty impressive, considering he was going up against professional players, who are operating on a far higher level than most. Though not having as much luck as Maguire, Affleck, Damon, or di Caprio, Paul continues to try his hand at the game, maintaining a pretty positive attitude throughout.

Norm MacDonald

Perhaps one of the most beloved comedians, and Saturday Night Live hosts of all time, Norm MacDonald was among the funniest guys in Hollywood. He could pull a laugh out of anybody. Unlike some of the others on this list, MacDonald never kept his love for poker a secret. In fact, he would openly talk about his experiences at the table, and discuss his winnings, as well as his losses.

In terms of skill, Norm was neither the best, nor the worst player. He certainly had his moments though. There is a story about MacDonald taking Andy Beal for 14 million, though some have called to question the veracity of the claim. So passionate was Norm for the game, that he even hosted an episode of High Stakes Poker, a televised poker tournament, the title of which tells you all you need to know.

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson is an icon in the music world. His name is frequently brought up alongside Johnny Cash and Kenny Rodgers when discussing the legends of country music. His gentle, contemplative songs have also gotten him involved with musicians outside of the country scene, most notable Snoop Dogg. Though Nelson may not be as prolific a gambler as some of the others on the list, there have been stories of him playing Stud with fans in casinos throughout the country.