Introduction
Poker is a far cry from other casino games, which can be over and done within 30 seconds, with no strategy or skill involved, poker is the polar opposite. Prize pools can also stretch into eye-watering seven-figure territory. It can vary depending on the type of game, the number of entrants, and the budget they’re working with, but these are the main reasons why the card game is one of the most popular gambling games anywhere in the world.
As the game’s popularity surges online, winning 200k guaranteed on poker tournament is not too out of the ordinary for the top players.
Online poker was not one of the areas of casino gaming that developers and casino bosses thought would translate well into the digital world, given the amount of psychological bluffing and strategy that goes into land-based games. However, it’s proven to be a hit.
This includes celebrities who fancy a game without the headache of being recognized by a land-based provider or those professionals who want to sharpen their skills before entering some of the most revered tournaments in the poker calendar. Here are five celebrities who have a passion for the game
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan played several high-roller poker games and tournaments during his career, but even in his retirement, he has been known to play high-stakes games. Who knows if it’s more about the competition and psyching out than the actual game itself, but Jordan’s competitive edge will never leave him. He stood on business during his remarkable NBA career and continues to do it when he sits down at the poker table, too.
The Chicago Bulls legend put the NBA on the global sporting map. I remember the 1990s (just about) and how Jordan was everywhere, branching into the world of fashion with his remarkably successful Air Jordan sneakers and guest starring as himself in the smash-hit animation film Space Jam.
His constant drive for success and competition is why he’s one of the richest athletes of all time. It also explains why he’s such a big fan of playing poker, outwitting his opponents, and psyching them out at the table.
Curtis Jackson – 50 Cent
For those who might not remember the early 2000s, Curtis Jackson might be a mild-mannered meme known for his funny tweets, wise investments, and funny quips about rap culture. There was a time, though, when 50 was the biggest rapper on earth, under the tutelage of his close friend Eminem, and while he’s probably not famous for his love of poker, he is a celebrity who enjoys playing it more than most.
Ben Affleck
Out of all of the celebs who enjoy poker, Affleck probably surprised me the most. No idea why. He just didn’t strike me as the type. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong on that one. Affleck is one of the biggest names in Hollywood, first exploding onto the scene when he co-wrote and starred in the iconic 1990s film Good Will Hunting alongside his friend Matt Damon – another celeb who enjoys a spot or two of Texas Hold’Em.
Ben has his own Wikipedia section about his gambling exploits. Although his prize winnings are nothing compared to what he’s earned for some of his biggest films, he once won over $350,000 in a poker tournament and qualified for the World Poker Tournament. So we’d say Ben is definitely a celebrity who enjoys poker.
Jennifer Tilly
Given her extensive professional poker history, including her on this list might be unfair. Jennifer is a celebrity who enjoys poker, though. She enjoys it so much it’s now her full-time job, and she’s traveled all over the world, testing her skills against some of the top names and championing the idea of more female-only tournaments and tables.
Still, given that she first rose to prominence as an actress and then shifted into her love of the game as a full-time job, she’s one of the most notable celebrities and a recognizable face on the poker circuit, fully deserving of her place on our list.
Aaron Paul
For many of us, Aaron Paul will always be Jesse Pinkman, the clumsy lab technician who acted as the co-star of Breaking Bad, widely considered one of the greatest TV dramas ever created. It’s hard to think of him as anybody else.
Still, obviously, Aaron is very different from Jesse in real life, and where it’s challenging to imagine Albuquerque’s finest sitting down for a few hours and playing poker with Badger and Skinny Pete – the man behind the character is a huge fan, and even faced off against football icon Cristiano Ronaldo in a charity poker game back in 2016.
Conclusion
There are a lot more celebrities that enjoy poker. As we said at the beginning of the piece, it’ll continue to find a market because it blends strategy and skill and isn’t about an instant turnaround in the same way slot machine gaming or roulette are; there’s an actual structure to the game.
It’s intriguing, too, because the celebrities we have touched on today have not made a passing comment about enjoying poker; there’s plenty of evidence that they continue trying to improve their game, enter tournaments, and seek advice from some of the game’s top professionals.
