Celebrity Poker Players
Both poker and online poker are thriving global enterprises. The number of high value international contests is rising and prize money is reaching stratospheric levels. The likes of the WSOPE, the WSOP, the WPT, the APPT, the APT, the ANZPT, the Irish Poker Open and the Aussie Millions are but a handful of the massive contests out there. These contests showcase expensive buy-ins for the Main Events but they also provide massive paydays when players make it through the big events. The WSOP 2011 offered up almost $9 million to the Main Event winner – a formidable amount by anyone’s admission.
Which Celebrities are Playing Poker?
Perhaps the operative question is not so much which celebs are playing, but which celebs haven’t played poker. Such is the universal appeal of this game that many celebrities have either dabbled in low stakes contests or in high stakes contests. The number of big-money players is impressive beyond compare and includes the likes of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Tobey McGuire, Doyle Brunson, Tony G, Shane Warne, Al Alvarez, Tony Cascarino, Chevy Chase, Steve Davis, Joe Hachem, Shannon Elizabeth, Chris Moneymaker, Chris Fergusson and Phil Ivey.
The spike in poker gaming popularity on such a global scale is due to the explosion of interest in online poker. With major televised events such as the World Series of Poker, the World Poker Tour and the Aussie Millions contest, more and more players are taking an interest in high-stakes gaming. The risk/reward potential is immense and talented players can easily clean up. Celebrities like to play big because they have the bankrolls to make it happen. In the United Kingdom the poker buzz gained tremendous popularity following the success of Late Night Poker on Channel 4.
How Much Do Some of these Celebs Earn from Poker?
•Tobey McGuire played in the 2007 WSOP $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold’em and placed 292nd. He earned a neat $39,445. In 2005 he placed 8th in the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em at the Bellagio Challenge Cup, in Las Vegas and won $22,885.
•Chris Ferguson played in the No Limit Hold'em – Finals, in the Doubles Poker Championship in Vegas and placed 3rd. He won a cool $100,000. He has earned millions of dollars in poker paydays over the years.
•Ben Affleck played in the $ 9,900 No Limit Hold'em Championship at the
California State Poker Championship in 2004. He won the event and pocketed $356,400