Jul 25 2008
Poker Attracts Celebrities Like A Magnet
Poker players have become celebrities. Celebrities are flocking to poker. Let’s look at a few of the celebrities that have had some success at the tables.
Jennifer Tilly shocked the poker world in 2005 WSOP by winning the ladies event, and a bracelet. Many thought this must be a fluke, but she has followed that up with other good results. Most notably she won the WPT ladies invitational later that year.
Sully Erna, the lead singer of Godsmack has been noticeably present in poker events recently. Although he doesn’t consider himself a professional by any means, he plays as much as the pros. He has cashed in the WSOP main event both of the last two years.
James Woods is a regular at poker tournaments. Not a very successful player in the tournaments, he loves the action anyway. He is an owner of Hollywood Poker, a popular online poker room.
Ben Affleck, a regular cash game player, had a big win in 2004. He won the California State Championships of Poker main event ($10,000 buy in). He credits top pros Annie Duke, Antonio Esfandaria, and Allen Cunningham with tutoring him.
Not quite the big time movie star as the rest Chad Brown is another actor who plays poker. Well, maybe he is a poker pro who did some acting. With over $2 million in career earnings, he is clearly the best player of the celebrities. He is a regular at the big tournaments these days.
Surprisingly Chad hasn’t won a big event. His closest try was a second place at a WSOP event. He would have loved to have that bracelet. He should get a big win some time soon.
Gabe Kaplan, of Welcome Back Kotter fame, is the iconic celebrity poker player. He has been involved in poker for years. Back in the seventies, when televised poker lived in obscurity, Gabe was often the host, or the poker expert, for the commentary.
Gabe started playing in the WSOP way back in 1978. He didn’t get his first cash until 1986. He has reached 6 final tables, including a second place in 2005.
Gabe can still be found doing commentary for poker shows. He is close to the game, is a good player in his own right, and has a quick comedic mind. This makes for a quality voice for poker.
Poker is on the rise. The game is now a mainstream event. The WSOP main event draws the celebrities into the game. They, like everyone else want to take a shot at the pros in the biggest poker event in the world.