Celebrities Who Are Good at Poker

Outside of entertaining us on the big screen and featuring in many favourite movies of all time, some celebrities often enjoy playing a few rounds of poker. Some do so occasionally in online platforms like the SyndicateCasino, and others you’d find when you visit the luxurious casinos in your city. In some cases, these stars do more than play for fun. They feature in famous tournaments and are even good enough to take some cash prizes home. With that in mind, here are the most famous celebrities who fancy a game of poker.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon is one of the few who not only enjoy playing at the table but have contested in tournaments and won amazing prizes. He began finding interest in the game after starring in the movie Rounders, a film that centered around the underground world of high-stakes poker. Matt acquired some knowledge from this role and took them with him to the outside world. He joined the WSOP shortly after this, and in 2009, he took part in the $5,000 buy-in Ante Up for Africa Charity Event. Matt Damon has participated in several high-stakes games and shown his interest publicly in gambling.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire is one of those actors that needs no introduction. Starring in our childhood Spiderman favourite, there’s no denying his spot as one of the most successful in the industry. It’s amazing to know that this isn’t all he’s famous for. Tobey is often seen finding an escape with one or two rounds of poker. He’s an online gambler who has also participated in a few tournaments and events between 2005 and 2009. Today, he has a total live earning of $218,000. He inspired the 2018’s Molly Games following his establishment of the underground poker ring in 2005. Tobey is also close friends with Matt, and they’re sometimes seen having fun at the table together.

Arden Cho

The internet describes Arden Cho as a celebrity who had found success through a number of skills, including singing, acting, and modeling. However, we don’t see much describing this multi-talented star as a die-hard fan of table games. She’s an excellent player who has won amazing cash prizes, even in her first World Series of Poker event in 2013. Her most recent achievement is her second-place position in the PokerGo Tour Championship (January 2024), earning her a $200,000 cash prize. Arden Cho is not only a lover of these games, but she’s also exceptional at playing.

Jennifer Tilly

Jennifer Tilly is described as a remarkable actress and a professional poker player. It turns out she’s not only funny and interesting but excels at flipping cards at the table. Having won over $1 million from various games, she’s one of the most accomplished celebrities in the gambling industry. Some say one of the reasons she’s particularly exceptional is that she learned from her professional-playing ex-boyfriend, Phil Laak. What better way to learn the ways of the game than from a lover and friend?

Shannon Elizabeth

Here is another exceptional woman on our list. Shannon Elizabeth was most famous for her role in American Pie. However, her exploits in the gambling industry haven’t also gone unnoticed. She has been a professional since 2005, building experience and winning matches. Today, she accounts for over $247,000 from these games. She has recorded several years of participating in events, and being a key player among celebrity poker lovers.

Ben Affleck

Having starred in popular movies like Batman vs Superman, Daredevil, and Justice League, Ben Affleck is surely one of the most talented actors to grace our screens. His exploits on the table are another aspect of his career that fascinates audiences in the entertainment industry. His gambling career has been rewarded so far with over $365,000 in earnings, alongside recognition for participating in some of the biggest events and tournaments. Much of his skills stem from his ability to read people as much as he can read the game.

Kevin Hart

Last on our list is the popular comedian Kevin Hart. The funny man has been seen taking a liking to gambling, and he appears to be very good at it. Kevin Hart has participated in some tournaments like the:

• $100,000 Super High Roller at the 2017 PokerStars Championship in the Bahamas;
• $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl in Las Vegas.

Although he didn’t come first in both events, he played spectacularly well, eliminating the 16th-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil the Poker Brat in the second game.

Insights From Celebrity Poker Players

Despite their fame and wealth, even the most famous celebrities are seen taking time to do the things they enjoy. As much as the end game of playing at a casino is to make money, these individuals remind us of the reason many started in the first place: entertainment. Savor the thrills of the game, and always enjoy your experiences!