Top 10 Poker Playing Celebrities!

In the world of poker, many recognised TV and film stars take to the table to stake their wits against the best players around the globe. Here are some of the best and most famous of celebrity poker players.

Ben Affleck

The man chosen to replace Christian Bale as Batman has a $10,000 buy-in-major no-limit hold’em title on his poker resume, and the movie-star has already accomplished what many seasoned professionals are still aiming to achieve.

Star of the new and upcoming Batman movie, won big at the 2004 California State Poker Championship, scooping $356,400 in the tournament. He outlasted a field of 90 players on his way to capturing his one and only big-time poker tournament win.

Affleck is also an alleged participant in high-stakes online games, and a mixed review of his recent results have come out in the press. It is believed that a wide variety of celebrities often use these online casino sites to practise for live tournaments and to try and win big from their homes, without entering the public eye.

Tobey Maguire

The Spider-Man star has reportedly picked up more than $10-million in poker winnings at a series of underground Hollywood home games, and it seems to be fair that Maguire has won more than anyone else on the list. The actor recently faced litigation for more than $300,00 in poker winnings from these celebrity invite-only affairs.

Michael Phelps

Despite only reaching the final table once in his poker career, and earning a small $5,213 in career tournament winnings, the millionaire and Olympic swimming legend could become a huge force on the circuit once Olympic career comes to a close. Not much is known about his skill level, but he has the skill and resources to have a shot in his retirement, having previously stated that he loves the game.

Gabe Kaplan

Kaplan, best known for his role in the sitcom Welcome Back Kotter, is one of the most skilled celebrity poker players in the world. The 66-year-old has cashed more than $1.1-million in tournaments, $131,000 of which came from the final table of the 2007 World Series of Poker.

Nick Cassavetes

The director of 2004 chick flick, The Notebook, has proved to be anything with gooey with emotion on the poker table. In addition to holding his nerve against the top cash game players in the world, Cassavetes has cashed in $142,000 so far in tournaments.

Bruce Buffer

Buffer has racked up a fantastic $259,047 in prize money on the felt, and he has appeared on Poker After Dark. He made it to the final table at the 2005 World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational.

Shannon Elizabeth

The American Pie actress finished third in the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Championship for a score of $125,000. Unfortunately for her, that has been the highlight of her poker career so far.

Sam Simon

The Simpsons co-creator has won more than $344,000, including $100,000 at three no-limit hold’em tournaments recently.

Rick Salomon

Rick Salomon is the son of former Warner Bros. Executive vice president and is a poker fanatic, and is most commonly known for his role in One Night in Paris. He has racked up $237,000 in career earnings, which includes a win in a 2006 Bellagio Cup event.

Jennifer Tilly

Actress Tilly boasts a $1,000 ladies championship bracelet, and has accumulated almost $600,000 in career tournament winnings.