Flip the channel to any high-stakes poker occasion, and likelihood is excessive that you’re going to see a minimum of one Hollywood movie star 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 enjoying abilities in tournaments all over the world. Some, after all, by no means rise above the rank of newbie, however others go on to change into acquainted faces on the earth of poker. What follows is a listing of ten of the perfect movie star poker gamers on the earth (listed in no specific order).

Ben Affleck – It is exhausting to argue Affleck’s standing as among the finest movie star poker gamers on the earth after he received the California State Poker Championship in June of 2004 (the place he received $356,400). When he is not performing in motion pictures corresponding to Daredevil or Armageddon, Affleck collects classic video-arcade machines and has been identified to take poker classes from professionals like Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke. His win on the California Championship additionally certified him for a seat on the 2004 World Poker Tour closing match.

Patrick Bruel – Patrick Bruel is a well 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 could go unrecognized by American film audiences, poker gamers from all over the world will immediately acknowledge his face. Why? Nicely, in 1998 Patrick picked up a World Collection of Poker bracelet for successful the 1998 $5000 Restrict Maintain’em occasion. He has additionally positioned within the cash quite a few occasions 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. Nevertheless, she has publicly acknowledged that she’s changing into extra fascinated about poker than performing. One take a look at her accomplishments within the poker world and it is simple to see why. In June of 2005, Tilly outlasted 600 different gamers and received her first World Collection of Poker bracelet (and $158,625) within the Women’ No-Restrict Maintain’em occasion, changing into the primary movie star to take action. She has additionally received the World Poker Tour Women Invitational Match and competed in Poker Royale, Poker Superstars, and Celeb Poker Showdown.

Josh Malina – With performing credit corresponding to Sports activities Night time and The West Wing, Malina is a revered actor of each the stage and screen. He’s additionally an avid poker participant. In actual fact, when he was struggling to get his profession off the bottom, he would usually play poker so as 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 Celeb Poker Showdown.

Matt Damon – After starring within the poker movie Rounders, you may count on the world-famous Damon to know his means round a deck of playing cards. He is an everyday entrant within the annual World Collection of Poker, and his most attention-grabbing WSOP story occurred again in 1998. Miramax Studios entered each he and Edward Norton within the WSOP Primary Occasion ($10,000 buy-in) to advertise the upcoming Rounders. Damon performed properly, 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 successful 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 might be a reliable professional.” He has completed within the cash in a number of different occasions and has obtained classes from poker professional Daniel Negreanu. And remember that he is solely been enjoying severely since 2004.

James Woods – Having starred in motion pictures corresponding to Salvador and One other Day in Paradise, James Woods is one in every of America’s most revered actors. And never solely is he a well-known face in poker rooms throughout the nation, he is additionally the face of a brand new poker web site. 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 Traditional for $40,000.

Mimi Rogers – When she’s not starring in hits like Misplaced in House 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 throughout the World Poker Tour’s Capturing Star Championship poker88 asia.

Wil Wheaton – One of many stars of Stand by Me and Star Trek: The Subsequent Era, 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 Collection of Poker.

Gabe Kaplan – Greatest identified for his function on Welcome Again Kotter, Gabe Kaplan is such an completed poker participant that the majority now not regard him as a “movie star” participant. His first World Collection of Poker look got here in 1978. In 2004, he completed third on the World Poker Tour’s No Restrict Maintain’em occasion, successful greater than $250,000 within the course of. He has additionally taken second place within the World Collection 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 reveals because the Nationwide Heads-Up Poker Championship, Intercontinental Poker Championship, and Excessive Stakes Poker.