We can all agree that the majority of celebrities are pretty talented people – whether it’s dazzling on the big screen, on the sports field, or on stage. But what you might not have known is that there are some very multi-talented celebrities out there. Not only are they killing it in their chosen field, they’re lighting up the world of poker as well. To help you recognize the high-rollers from your favorite celebrities, we’ve put together this list of famous people who like to spend their time away from the limelight at the poker table, accompanied by nothing but chips, a couple of cards, and their own wit.
Ben Affleck
He may be portraying Batman in the highly anticipated Justice League movie, he may be an Oscar winner, but Ben Affleck is also known for his skills at the poker table. According to the actor, he’s been into the card game for years, spending a lot of his time off-camera at the table. Unlike other celebrity players, Affleck has actually ranked in major tournaments. In the 2004 California State Poker Championship, the 45-year-old actor walked away with an eye-watering $356,400, despite not actually winning the event. While he could easily make that from a movie, it’s no small amount in poker terms! Affleck is so obsessed with improving his poker game, that it’s been reported that he’s hired the services of Annie Duke, a professional poker player, to teach him a few tricks of the trade.
On top of this, Ben Affleck is known to have a keen interest in other casino games. He was once banned from a casino for counting cards when playing classic blackjack. Now, while counting cards may not be illegal in the casino community, it’s certainly frowned upon, so try not to do an Affleck next time you visit a casino!’
Matt Damon
A close friend of Ben Affleck and joint Oscar winner, Matt Damon is another one of Hollywood’s elite who enjoys a game of poker every now and then. Probably more famous for his role in the poker-based film ‘Rounders’, Damon’s fascination with the game peaked at around the same time as his friend’s did. And while he has never played professionally like Affleck has, it’s been reported that Matt Damon is a regular at private Hollywood games, joining the likes of Gabe Kaplan and Brad Ruderman. This interesting the high-stakes world of competitive poker has only really been public knowledge since 2011, when Ruderman faced criminal charges for embezzlement. However, Damon was acquitted of any wrongdoing by association and has continued to enjoy private games ever since.
Rafael Nadal
Rafa Nadal has 11 Grand Slam titles to his name, as well as an Olympic Gold medal, but you may not know that he was also a Poker Stars representative. The charismatic Spaniard ended his affiliation with the poker company in 2015, though he has continued to play both competitively and privately ever since. No doubt the winning mentality and coolness he shows on the tennis court will translate well to the world of poker, where it’s just you and your own skill against your opponents. Equally, he’s no stranger to long, drawn-out games, so it’s no wonder he’s taken so well to poker, which, at times, can be quite the slog.
Jennifer Tilly
Not only is Jennifer Telly dating a professional poker player, she’s also a dab hand at the game herself. Over her long and varied tournament career, the ‘Bride of Chucky’ actress has banked over $600,000, and also boasts her very own WSOP ladies championship bracelet – no one else on the list has one of those! In 2005, Tilly joined the WPT invitational tournament and walked away with $25,000. While she may not be the most well-known actress on earth, she’s certainly made a name for herself in the poker community.
Tobey Maguire
Best known for his role in the critically acclaimed Spider-man trilogy, Tobey Maguire has spent the majority of the past decade out of the limelight – but that isn’t to say that he hasn’t been busy! In fact, Maguire has been making a fearsome name for himself in Hollywood’s underground poker scene. Allegedly, the 42-year-old has won nearly $10 million over the course of his playing career, and is even facing litigation over $300,000 worth of winnings. Despite these rumored earnings, it’s impossible to know for sure, as a lot of these games are played as ‘invite only’ events. Regardless, of the celebrities on this list, it’s fair to assume that Tobey Maguire has profited the most from his Texas Holdem hobby.